Today we’d like to introduce you to Irene Morales.
Hi Irene, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Thanks so much for having me, I really appreciate it! I started writing stand-up style jokes when I was 14 years old in Miami, Florida. My first show was seven years later, at the now defunct Miami Improv in Coconut Grove [Miami] Florida. Seven years after that first show, in 2014, I moved to New York City to cut my teeth in comedy. I realize in retrospect I work in dog years. This is my seventh year in New York City but in 2018, I was fortunate enough to play the “funny friend” in an indie film that made it onto Amazon Prime called “Asking For It.” A year after moving to NYC, I was passed at New York Comedy Club and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world every time I look up and see my picture on their wall, it’s my second home. I really feel like myself up here, a full freak, and I’ve made forever friends, who are also full freaks.
Alright, 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?
Yes, there have been struggles – but I think most people who consider themselves artists have experienced struggle at some point along the way. And I think those who are even more honest with themselves will admit that as you learn and grow and develop as an artist (and in life in general) there will always be something you struggle with. For me, for a long time, it was not wanting to leave Miami because I didn’t want to leave my mom alone with my little brother who is on the autism spectrum. Luckily the universe lined up a few blessings and I was able to finally move to New York. To this day, it’s still balancing stand-up and my day job, which is exhausting but I feel the freest when I’m performing. And lately, it’s been imposter syndrome – seeing my contemporaries achieve accolades that I dream of, doubting myself, wondering if I’m even any good at all or if I should just throw in the towel and move to a cabin in the woods… But then I have a good set, an audience member tells me they enjoyed it, my friends knock some sense back into me, and I remember how lucky I am to get to perform regularly in NYC.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a stand-up comedian, writer and actor based in New York City. I think what sets me apart is the same thing that sets every other artist apart: their voice, their perspective, their story – which makes them uniquely them while inherently and simultaneously connecting them to all of us. Pulled from my bio: “Her stories of shortcomings combined with sarcasm and a little bit of sass make for a memorable set that audiences enjoy because they can relate” which I think does a good job of explaining me (I would hope so; I’m the one who wrote it – sheesh!) I recently wrote a piece where I roasted desserts/sweets and it magically went well when I performed it, which is always the icing on the cake – pun absolutely intended, I couldn’t help myself – it was right there! I’m beginning to explore doing impressions because I can do some of my comedian friends “really good” (their words, not mine) so now it leaves me wondering: “If I can imitate them, I wonder if I can do celebrities with a bit of research and practice…?” Any time I get to play with my voice is always a good time. I think I’m known for being a silly rabbit on stage (and off) and I ultimately hope to leave behind a legacy of love and helping people feel less alone.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Oh gosh, this is such a nice question, I think I’m going to cry! In the past, and it continues to be this way, I’ll meet people after a show, or they’ve seen some work I’ve put online (now I’m thinking about how I need to put more work online) and we collaborate over ideas and work towards executing them – this is how it’s been with sketches, the short and feature film I’ve been in, and the shows I’ve been asked to perform on. I have a podcast that I need to ramp up again where my friends (comedians, a priest, a chef etc.) give me the best piece of advice they’ve ever been given and I love the people I’ve connected with through there. (Hi Will, Jasón, Kizzy, Astrid!! :)) My Instagram is where I’m most current with my show dates and regular musings. Regarding support: I’m still working on learning how to receive love in any form; be it a follow on Instagram, a retweet on Twitter, or even just kind words written or in person after a show – but the baby steps I’m making do feel good and maybe I should let myself receive a little bit of the love I put out there.
Contact Info:
- Email: irene@irenemorales.com
- Website: www.irenemorales.com
- Instagram: @irenesmorales
- Twitter: @irenesmoraless
- Other: Please Google “Irene Morales comedian” so Google thinks I’m cute
Image Credits:
Phil Provencio Jordan Ashleigh Jessica Kourkounis
