Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Preston.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amber. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Born and raised in Fargo, ND, moved to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota to study theater. After several years of doing absolutely nothing remotely creative or close to theater I got, as my parents would say, a “real job” in finance. I’m not a finance person, never was. I was the kid tap dancing in the aisle at the grocery store. I have always had stars in my eyes, specifically for comedy. I was always a fan of sketch comedy, stand up comedy, and all things funny. I blame the allure of health insurance for the job in corporate America. While living the cubicle life at the venture capital firm, I decided to try to stand up. I told myself I’d try it at least three times.
After the first 3 minutes set at Acme Comedy Company in Minneapolis, MN I was hooked. I spent several nights a week at open mics and hanging out at the comedy clubs in town. Eventually, I got a guest set here and a little booked spot there and pretty soon, I was working the road – driving hundreds of miles for hundreds of dollars. About six years ago, a friend in LA had an open room in her house in Echo Park, and my dream of moving away from MN winters was realized! I still perform stand up all over the country but spend most of my time in Los Angeles, auditioning and telling jokes.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road to LA was smooth, but looking back it was slow going. I often wish I had moved sooner but all the stage time in Minneapolis and on the road really helped build my stand up chops. And now that I’m here and have been in the same neighborhood for the last six years, I really love it. I know my neighbors and the owner of my favorite donut shop down the street and the friendly ladies at my favorite taco truck. This big ol’ city can feel really small once you settle in and it’s great. Also, THE WEATHER!!!!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I love stand up comedy and like to think I bring a special kind of Midwest-smart ass-comforting charm to the stage. I am really excited about my debut album, Sparkly Parts, out on Stand Up Records now. It debuted at number one on the iTunes comedy charts and I am so excited it is finally out in the world!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love LA. I love LA for acting. I love LA for writing. I love LA for any weird silly goose fun time character you dream up. And I love LA for stand up. There is stage time for WHATEVER crazy idea you might have. Sure, you might have to drive across town to work on that bit, but traffic isn’t so bad at 11 pm on a Tuesday. Starting stand up is insane no matter where you start. You have to have all the energy in the world, all the creativity in the world and certainly all the blind unearned confidence in the world to step on that stage for the first time. And what better place than Hollywood baby! I could do without the earthquakes but my allergies are just so much better here.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://amberpreston.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prestonparty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prestonparty
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PrestonParty
Image Credit:
Faryl Amadeaus
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