Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Conley.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jordan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was always told I should be a stand up comedian. I won class clown at every level of schooling, but I wasn’t a believer that I would be good as a stand up comic. Four years after being told I should try stand up, at 18, I went to my first open mic where I did terribly, but I loved it. I stopped immediately after that first time tho because I didn’t have a way of getting to the comedy spots. It wasn’t until six years later, when I finally bought my first car, that I dropped out of school and immediately jumped back into stand up comedy at full force. I started out doing 12 to 15 open mics a week working craft and taking it very seriously with hopes and dreams of being the next big thing. Two months after starting stand up, my Uncle, Dextor Smiles, hooked me up with my first paying gig.
It was at a church and there were 500 people in attendance and I was paid $50. I did 5 minutes to open the show and I was extremely nervous. Thanks to my uncle and now mentor who headlined that particular show, McClinton Neal, I went on that stage with confidence and got off to a standing ovation. That lead to a huge door opening of getting more and more church shows which really help build connections with other comics. Those connections helped me to get into comedy clubs which helped my career even further. I went on to win a few comedy competitions including, being a part of KROQ’s Kevin and Bean’s April Foolishness show at the Microsoft Theater in LA. As of today, I now have a manager, I’ve headlined comedy clubs, and I work, as a comic, for weekly legendary comedy show, Chocolate Sundaes, which takes place at the historic Laugh Factory in LA after three years in comedy and I’m just getting started. God is good
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting out in comedy was tough purely because my family wasn’t on my side. I would come home and be happy about my 3 minutes of open mic comedy and my parents would still try to talk me out of my choices and talk to me about viable careers outside of stand up comedy. It wasn’t until the first comedy show of mine that they went to where they made a complete 360 and have been extremely supportive ever since. The other struggle was the classic not having really having the money to support my career choice. Mixed with having to stay put late at nights, due to not going up until the very end of open mics, which typically run till 2am, I had to get a day job that paid a little over minimum wage which really but a hindrance on my comedy. Working 8 hours, sometimes longer with overtime, made it tough to get to my open mics and even comedy shows which at times were over an hour away. I was barely making enough money to pay bills and all the gas I had to continually buy for these constant comedy trips. I ultimately ended up getting fired for calling out of work too much for the purpose of making it for comedy shows.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a stand up comedian. I bring a fast-paced, high energy spirit with me when I’m on stage. What I’m most proud of and what sets me apart go hand in hand. In the world of stand up comedy there’s a lot of negativity. A lot of comedians come from dark backgrounds and bring their “dark” on stage with them and their negative energy. Not that these comedians aren’t funny, but I am most proud that I keep a good heart and a positive attitude on and off the stage. My set consists of self-deprecating comedy that just looks at myself but spins it in a positive way in hopes that it encourages others. I use comedy as a way to heal others as my biggest passion is making people laugh. I feel if you’re laughing, your forgetting for a moment about your trials and tribulations. On top of that, what also sets me apart is that I’m a black comedian out of Orange County. I’m a humongous dork both inside and out in every way. From video games to Disney to professional wrestling to collecting action figures to reading comic books to being a huge Star Wars fan, I talk about it all. I talk about these topics but I spin it so it can relate to everyone no matter the race or age.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as doing what I love and not having to do anything else. I want to have a career as a stand up comedian and successfully be able to say that that is all I do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loljordanconley/
Image Credit:
Chocolate Sundaes at the Laugh Factory, Microsoft Theater in LA, The Irvine Improv, The Rec Room
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