For almost 10 years, comedienne, producer and radio personality Kiana Dancie has filled major arenas to intimate lounges with her gift of making people laugh. The comedy queen has shared the stage with some of today’s biggest comedians, including Oscar-winning comedic actress Mo’Nique, Rodney Perry, Sheryl Underwood and Katt Williams.
Comedy is a challenging business, but Dancie has managed to excel in the male-dominated field. In 2008, she was featured on the hit TV One show “Who’s Got Jokes?” with Bill Bellamy. Recently, she made an appearance on the second season of “Off the Chain” for the new network, Bounce TV. Dancie is also ecstatic to be brought back as host of the Atlanta Sweet Auburn Music Festival for the fourth consecutive year.
Dancie is the producer and host of the “Komedy Kocktails” comedy and radio show, which has been selling out since its inception. Currently, she is taping for a new reality show, writing a book and gearing up for the UniverSoul Circus to serve as the first female celebrity guest ringmaster. Rolling out spoke with Dancie about how she got her start in comedy, her first stand-up performance, and her thoughts on the current state of comedy.
When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career as a comedienne?
I am a Georgia Southern University graduate. I decided while I was in school pursuing a marketing degree that I wanted to go to law school. I took the LSAT and while I was sitting in the chair I was thinking to myself, “this is not for me.” I decided I didn’t want to go to law school and got a job working at Sony. From Sony, I went to work as the district manager for Samsung. I literally was playing around with comedy during that time around 2006. I went to open mic because I was going through a breakup. Everybody knows laughter is the best medicine. I was with my ex for 10 years and this was probably our thousandth breakup. I used that opportunity to heal myself.
When did you get your first big break doing stand-up?
I was doing open mic and I was really good at it. They didn’t throw apples or tomatoes. I kept going back because they loved me. In 2007, I won a contest to open up for Katt Williams. That man paid me $1,000 for 10 minutes I did not have. I was in front of 7,000 people in Houston at the Reliant Theatre. All I had was five minutes, but I went up there to get those coins. I did my set and Katt said I was funny, so now on to the next.
How did you land the position as guest ringmaster with the UniverSoul Circus?
I haven’t received the position permanently, but what they are doing is having me as the celebrity ringmaster in Atlanta. They are also trying me out for all the other nights. I’ve got things to do, so I don’t have time to be fooling around with this circus everywhere they go [her hearty laugh tells us she’s kidding]. It is a dope opportunity. When my friend Carmen Lovelace contact me I told her I don’t even know the last time I have been to a circus, so I was wondering how what I should wear or how I should show up. She told me I would be introduced and then do what I do best, which is be funny. Right now, I am only doing the Atlanta comedy night as the celebrity guest ringmaster.
What do you enjoy most about doing stand-up comedy?
There is nothing more rewarding than standing in front of people who are going through it. They are tired, mad, sad, broke or going through a divorce. When people come into the comedy theater, they bring all that baggage and then I make them put their bags down. Regardless of what they are going through, I do this. This is what I do for a living. Having the ability to make people leave that baggage and junk at the door gives me a wonderful feeling. I want them to laugh with me and forget about their issues. I will always do stand-up, no matter what I am doing in my life.
How do you feel about the current state of comedy?
I am so sad. My heart breaks. Even if you’re a radio host or TV personality everything in entertainment has been changed by social media. The machine behind social media has changed the way we conduct our business and entertain ourselves. There are comedians out here that are amazing but you have never heard of them because they don’t have a million followers. People are being given movie deals, production deals and more because they have a large online presence. Look at how many people follow Kim Kardashian. What is she famous for? I am not mad at her for using her cookie to get her some coins. I am not mad at her mom for being a full-blown pimp, but what I am mad at is that there are people out here that think that is the way to get famous.
Follow Kiana Dancie on Instagram, Twitter and Periscope @KianaDancie
www.KianaDancie.com
