Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Elson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey as a writer/performer started with majoring in theater and learning quickly I had few opportunities to express creativity there, so, like the late great Diahann Carroll once said, “If you’re not invited to the party, throw your own,” I decided to take matters into my own hands. I started writing and collaborating with friends then and haven’t stopped since. My sketch team, Anointed Greens, with Dyani Rejae and April Rock, is a visible version of this, and we recently took our shows around the country. I’ve been lucky to be part of mentorship programs along the way that helped me grow my craft and led to paid work. Creating my own work and finding true collaborators and friends have been integral to my journey. Creating and community are key!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The TV/film industry is never smooth. I realized A plus B does not always equal C in Hollywood. It is unpredictable. I learned you can’t wait around for the industry to decide something, you have to take matters into your own hands and create. Or, at least, I do. I can’t sit around or I get antsy. I have stories I want to tell and I like to experiment in different ways to get them out.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a writer, actor, and comedian who specializes in, you guessed it, comedy. As a Black, biracial, queer woman raised by a single, white mother, I often explore themes of intersectional identities, unconventional families, and female friendships in my work. Life is absurd, and I like to explore the nuances and laugh about it. The script I’m most proud of is a pilot I wrote inspired by my family and connecting with my half siblings as an adult called “Grown Children.” It’s a story I have wanted to tell for a long time, and I finally cracked how to do it. I can’t say too much, but if you’re interested in reading it, please reach out to me or my reps!
The second thing I’m most proud of is my work with my sketch comedy team Anointed Greens. In 2024 we performed a new hour-long show and performed at SF Sketchfest and Flyover Comedy Fest. Our work led us to be commissioned for sketches by Chris Rock for his recent Saturday Night Live episode and commissioned by the multimedia comedy company Stapleview. This year, we’re hosting a new bimonthly comedy variety show at The Elysian Theater starting March 12th. The show will have a different theme each month with comedic guests, music performances, interviews, and, of course, sketch comedy. I am super excited. We have been friends for many years but started working as a sketch team in 2022, and I am so proud of everything we have accomplished. It all just clicks when you find the right people. Unfortunately, all-Black-women sketch teams can be hard to come by, and although Black women are not a monolith, I think our comedy meets a glaring need. Our humor is biting yet silly and is something everyone can enjoy. Follow us to keep updated on our shows!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I love spending time at my local library to work. It’s a great resource, inspires me to be proactive, and helps me create office hours for myself. I’m sort of obsessed with it. I’m always telling people, “You should go to the library! They have great stuff and even DVDs and CDs there!”
Some apps that are fun and keep the good vibes flowing are Letterboxd (to track movies), Serializd (to track TV shows), and Substack. I love reading on Substack and publish there regularly. It’s a different form of writing that gets my juices flowing for scriptwriting. Subscribe to “Paige’s Prose” if you’d like to read!
In general, engaging with stuff I’m obsessed with makes me feel good and usually inspires me to work on my own projects. I’m a fan of listening to interviews of people I admire, watching great TV and movies, and expanding what I read as a way to “help me do my best in life.” Also, taking a walk outside. Never underestimate the power of a refreshing walk.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.paigeelson.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paigeelson/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@paigeelson
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/anointedgreens/
Image Credits
Jasper Lewis, Luke Clellan, and Monique Hernandez
