Meet Brittany Ross of Awkward Stand Up in Silver Lake

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Ross.

Brittany, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up moving all over the world because of my Dad’s job. In first grade we moved to Bogota, Colombia, and that’s where I started “acting.” I thought I was acting, but in reality I was just smiling and trying to look cute. My first acting gig was a commercial in Spanish for ChoCo Krispies, and I did a lot of modeling jobs where they paid me in clothes because the rules are different in South America! I moved around a bit more and did commercials in whichever country I was living in. It was a fun hobby that allowed me to get out of school early on occasion. 

I stopped acting in high school when I became obsessed with competitive cheerleading.  Plus, I got braces, and was convinced Burger King  wouldn’t hire me with my mouth full of metal!

My cheer obsession paid off, and I went to Hawaii Pacific University on a cheerleading scholarship. My plan was to become a serious Broadcast Journalist, but when you look I look like a 13 year-old and have the voice of a 5 year-old, “Nickelodeon News” may be your only option. I decided I wanted to take an acting class. I found an amazing TV/Film acting class in Hawaii, taught my Scott Rogers, where I learned what acting was for the first time. I started auditioning for things that shot in Hawaii. I booked a few TV shows, and then booked a role in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Having a credit from a Judd Apatow movie was a huge help in jump starting my career when I arrived in LA.

I graduated college a semester early so I could move to LA, and get away from cheerleading. Little did I know that I would play cheerleaders in numerous tv shows for the next ten years…

I’ve been in LA for the past ten years, and I’ve mainly worked in TV comedies. My longest-running role was playing Courtney on ABC’s, The Middle. I began doing improv at UCB and realized I loved the element of live performing. I created a live show, The Craigslist Monologues, with my Middle counterpart, Natalie Lander. I realized I wanted to write and perform at the same time. That’s when I found storytelling and began performing at regularly at The Moth. From storytelling, I made the transition into stand up, and now produce and host a monthly show at The Virgil called Awkward Stand Up.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If anyone tells you that working in the entertainment business has been a smooth road, they’re  lying. There are  moments when things are working out, and I think, “Wow, it’s so easy!” Then there are moments when I think, “Maybe I should move to South America and teach English.” Over time, I’ve learned to manage the ups and downs, and come to realize that it’s part of the process. I’ve had moments where it looks like I’m getting my dream job, and then its whisked away. That hurts. BUT it’s given me a tougher stomach, and it’s pushed me to explore my own creative endeavors. Having a diversity of projects has immensely fulfilling for me.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m an Actress/Stand Up/Writer. A majority of my career has been working in TV comedies. I produce Awkward Stand Up, a monthly show at The Virgil (next show Sept 12th!).  I’m most proud of the fact that I started as an actress, and have been able to diversify my career.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career so far was shooting the short I wrote and starred in alongside Martin Starr. Julianna Guill made her directorial debut.  We’re are all very excited about what’s to come with the project!

Pricing:

• Tickets to Awkward Stand Up are $5

Contact Info:

• Website: www.BrittRossComedy.com
• Instagram: @iambrittanyross
• Facebook: @brittanyrossofficial
• Twitter: @iambrittanyross
• Other: http://awkwardaug22.nightout.com/

Image Credit:
Sela Shiloni, Valerie Darling

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