Meet Rachele Friedland

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachele Friedland.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I didn’t start performing stand-up comedy until after a year or so after graduating college. I hadn’t even considered becoming a stand-up comedian, I didn’t know you could just do it. I thought someone approached you and gave you the Hollywood OK to pursue comedy. My mom actually convinced me to try stand-up, and I took a class (something I realize is not popular or favored amongst comedians, but I literally hadn’t even googled how to do or become a stand-up).

I had been writing essays all throughout college and was writing satirical blog posts on a personal blog, as well as running a music blog and interning at various music publications. I knew I liked writing and wanted to write for TV, or literally, anywhere, I had no idea how to make it work financially so it seemed futile to pursue. When I started working at a marketing agency after college, I knew it wasn’t worth it to conceal this creative part of me I had spent so much time developing in high school and college, so I took a class.

Even after the class, I didn’t have an understanding of everything stand-up comedy entailed. I enjoyed comedy and watched plenty of specials, and more-so enjoyed comedy TV shows and especially political satire shows like The Daily Show or The Colbert Report, but I was just starting to get my bearings on what exactly needs to go into these creative efforts to get to a place that could be considered “decent” – which is where I feel I am positioned today.

I had started going to open mics in Orange County and pretty quickly would make a weekly drive to Los Angeles to meet more comics, especially more women comics, and feel the heat of a 50-person open mic (both literally and comedically). I had a handful of funny stories that I felt translated well to the stage. I didn’t quite understand a punchline, and really laid into being a “storyteller comic” at first. After a few years of listening to my own sets, watching a ton more live stand-up and generally being involved in the scene, I understood what I needed to do to be a better comic. I understood what needed to be eliminated, exaggerated, and how I was seen on stage vs. how I think I’m seen on stage. It took, and still takes (for me at least), a lot of conversations with trusted comic/writer friends to dissect, rebuild, and grow a joke.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I didn’t understand what went into being a stand-up comedian, so there was a huge learning curve that I felt very embarrassed about. Many other comics I talked to had been die-hard fans since day one, and here I was falling into this open mic because I needed some creative outlet, and I thought I had what it took – whatever that meant.

It took me a while to really commit to performing and commit to going to open mics consistently. I’d say it took me about a year to really understand the drive that was needed when it comes to stand-up. Once I started dedicating myself, I better understood that every time you get up on stage its rehearsal. A chance to perfect, explore, and at that point, mostly bomb HARD.

About two years in I endured a lot of emotional turmoil and became very depressed. I thought that I’d create some sort of beautiful art from all this pain, but it turns out when you’re as inexperienced as I was at the time, your pain is plain sad and you will bomb so badly at an open mic that it sticks with you for years. I also had a difficult time discerning when I needed to speak up for myself at open mics and when I just needed to let others be bad at stand-up comedy (just as I had been, but maybe in a less offensive way), and know that I’d never see half these people again.

What else should our readers know?
I’m never sure how to describe my comedy. But what I’ve found clicks for me is talking about my first-hand experiences. From my dad who’s been married four times, to having a hot mom, to a recent break-up that ended in a truly egregious way! Life is pretty bonkers, am I right?

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
This year I’ve planned to travel more to do stand-up. Of course, I’m hoping to get selected to perform in a few festivals, but I’ve got my eye on a few cities to hit this year including Denver, San Francisco, Boston, and even London! There may be a show in the works around the break-up material, but that’s TBD.

Contact Info:

• Website: rachelefriedland.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/rachelefriedland
• Twitter: twitter.com/rachele_f

Image Credit:
John-Michael Bond

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