Hidden Gems: Meet Paula Jane Newman of Rise Up Comedy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Jane Newman.

Hi Paula Jane, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you for featuring Rise Up Comedy in the magazine. We’re truly delighted to gain more recognition as we continue to grow. Rise Up Comedy is part of Aware Meditation Inc., a registered nonprofit in California and the United States, active and in good standing. The idea was born during the pandemic, when we began hosting wellness‑focused comedy shows as fundraisers for the meditation nonprofit.

During that time, it became clear that people needed deeper stress relief, and one of the most immediate ways to help people breathe and release tension is through laughter. What started as a creative fundraiser quickly revealed itself to be something much bigger.

By 2023, Rise Up Comedy had evolved into an ongoing program. Since then, we’ve produced shows in clubs, uplifted emerging talent, and created opportunities for people who have never done comedy before (our online classes) to speak their truth in a supportive, non‑toxic environment. Our shows not only nurture new voices but also direct proceeds back into the nonprofit, allowing us to continue offering accessible wellness and meditation programs to the community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but the challenges have shaped Rise Up Comedy into what it is today. Like many organizations that emerged during the pandemic, we were building something new in a time of uncertainty. Funding was inconsistent, venues were reopening slowly, and we were constantly adapting to shifting public‑health realities.

Because Rise Up Comedy is part of a nonprofit, we also had to navigate the administrative and financial realities of running community‑based programs on a shoestring budget. Every show required creativity, persistence, and a lot of volunteer energy.

Another challenge was carving out a space in the comedy world that aligned with our values. We were committed to creating a non‑toxic, supportive environment — something that isn’t always the norm in traditional comedy spaces. That meant finding the right venues, the right partners, and the right performers who resonated with our mission.

But each obstacle clarified our purpose. The struggles pushed us to innovate, to stay grounded in service, and to build a community that values wellness, authenticity, and laughter as a form of healing. Those early challenges are the reason Rise Up Comedy has the heart it has today.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Rise Up Comedy is a community‑driven comedy program housed within Aware Meditation Inc., a registered nonprofit dedicated to stress reduction, healing, and accessible wellness. What makes Rise Up Comedy unique is that we blend entertainment with purpose — every show is designed not just to make people laugh, but to support mental health, emotional release, and community connection.

We specialize in creating comedy experiences that are uplifting, inclusive, and non‑toxic. Our shows intentionally break away from the traditional comedy‑club culture by offering a space where performers — especially new and emerging voices — can express themselves without fear of hostility or gatekeeping. Many of our comedians are first‑timers who discover their voice on our stage as we offer our Standup Comedy for healing classes, and we’re known for nurturing talent that might otherwise be overlooked.

What sets us apart is our mission‑driven approach. Laughter is our tool, but healing is our purpose. Every show supports the nonprofit’s wellness programs, meaning audiences aren’t just enjoying a night out — they’re contributing to accessible meditation, stress‑relief education, and community mental‑health initiatives.

Brand‑wise, we’re most proud of the culture we’ve built: a supportive environment where humor, humanity, and healing coexist. Rise Up Comedy isn’t just a show; it’s a movement toward kinder creative spaces and community‑centered entertainment.

For readers, the biggest takeaway is this: if you want comedy that feels good, does good, and uplifts both performers and the community, Rise Up Comedy is where that happens. We offer live shows, collaborative events, and opportunities for new talent — all rooted in the belief that laughter is one of the most powerful forms of wellness. Our ebook on Amazon now endorsed by Margaret Cho – Pain to Punchlines:Stand-up Comedy a Transformation Superpower holds true stores and information about the process and our partners.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Los Angeles is its openness — the way this city makes room for reinvention, creativity, and people who don’t fit neatly into boxes. LA is a place where you can arrive with a dream, a half‑formed idea, or a completely new chapter in mind, and the city doesn’t just tolerate it — it encourages it. The diversity, the cultural mash‑ups, the comedy and arts scenes, the wellness communities, the neighborhoods that each feel like their own little universe — it all creates a sense of possibility that’s hard to find anywhere else.

I also love the people. LA gets a reputation for being superficial, but the truth is, this city is full of deeply interesting, resilient, and wildly creative humans. You meet people here who are building things, healing things, experimenting with things, and trying to make the world a little better — and that energy is contagious.

What I like least? The city can be tough on people. The cost of living, the traffic, the long commutes, the lack of accessible mental‑health resources, and the widening gap between those who are thriving and those who are struggling — it’s a lot. LA is beautiful, but it’s not always gentle. And for community‑based organizations like ours, it can be challenging to create accessible programming in a city where everything is expensive and everyone is stretched thin.

But even with its flaws, LA remains a place where transformation is possible. It’s a city that tests you, but it also gives you the space to rise — which is exactly why Rise Up Comedy was born here.

Pricing:

• 50 per private session (4 for the class)
• 250 the full online class

Contact Info:

• Website: https://riseupcomedy.org/
• Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/riseupcomedyclub
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@riseupcomedy
• Other: https://a.co/d/dyYKNWz