Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Haynes.
Hi Courtney, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was brought up in a small town called Ponca City, OK primarily raised by my mother and support from my grandparents and other family members. I stayed in Oklahoma after college and started my career in stand-up at Looney Bin Comedy club while prioritizing my growing career in Human Resources. After some time, I relocated to Houston, Texas to be closer to family on my Dad’s side. I tried to find myself and started going to open mics at various comedy clubs, but I never found myself being content in a place a loved so much. After a couple of years in Houston, I moved to the Bay Area with my now ex-fiancé where I transitioned into the tech industry and started picking up commercial acting jobs. The impacts of Covid led me to move to Los Angeles to prioritize my career in entertainment. Shortly after the move, my fiancé and I decided it calls it quits in order for me to focus on my developing comedy career.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the main obstacles and challenges was differentiating my current environment and my true destiny. Aside from growing up in the cultural southern “midwest”, I spent a lot of time in Houston, Texas as that’s where most of my family on both sides of my family reside. That being said, there was always this pressure to do things like settle down, have kids, and prioritize corporate ladder climbing. I knew that was not my destiny so breaking out of that expectation and conditioning was very difficult. The transition took YEARS. Luckily I didn’t have to break away from that narrative alone and I had support from my now ex-fiancé and which helped provide a safe haven and reassurance in my home.
In my work life, it was extremely challenging to pull back the layers of expectations of how you behave in corporate environments. I’ve been blessed to work for companies, or leaders independently, who support my comedic aspirations. Although you have that support, you are still programmed to hide your true self at work. I used to worry too much about my social media posts and public image, which naturally muzzled my comedic voice. So another major hurdle was truly and authentically owning who I am, which is a funny goofy black female professional and natural-born comedian. Eventually, I learned to break those mental barriers and be myself in its truest forms in all spaces, which is the key to all success.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a stand-up comedian, I’ve been blessed to perform all over the US independently and also open for a number of well-known comedians. I am a weekly house Host at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank, performed at The Laugh Factory, Ontario Improv, The Comedy Store and more. I’m also working on a pilot for a sketch comedy show called “The Newcommas” which you will see on a popular streaming network soon.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Without The Universe/God, I am nothing. So I first have to give credit to the Source. I also have so many folks that have poured into me some way along my journey and unfortunately there is too many to name. Honestly, I’d like to thank anyone who has booked me on a show, casted me in their project, supported a show/project and continues to pour and believe in me. Thank you!
Pricing:
- Host/Emcee private events starting at $100/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: Linktr.ee/CourtneyHaynes
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/court_haynes/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE%3D
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Courtney-Haynes/100070818280856/
- Other: Courthaynes.com (coming soon)
Image Credits
@Michaelschwartzphotographer @highereyeimagery @cmlbates
