Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Bice, Kyra Brown, and Isabela Medina.
Since moving to LA, Isa had been doing two things constantly — going to stand-up shows and getting dessert at Milk Bar. One day she saw the cooking class space and could not stop talking about “how dope” it would be to do a stand-up show there. After doing stand-up for a couple of months herself, she decided to pitch the idea to Milk Bar. Isa brought Emily and Kyra onboard to combine their skill sets and co-host the show! It was great timing. Milk Bar loved the idea immediately and has been so supportive in the process. One of the Milk Bar employees even built us a stage during his free time! We think comedians also love doing the show because instead of a drink comp, they get delicious dessert to eat there or take home. Comedians truly light up when we tell them they get a couple of free items for doing the show. Necessity is the mother of invention. We needed free ice cream and a spot to perform comedy… and thus our sweet little baby, Spilled Milk, was born.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In terms of finding success, the show has taken off more than we could have imagined. We always get nervous people won’t show but have had big crowds at every show so far. We’ve added more seating and rearranged the room to create more space every show and it seems to still be filling up. It’s no secret the key to a great show is great comedians, and we make sure to book people we ourselves love and know will do great with the Milk Bar crowd. People love it, tell their friends, and come back. It’s a nice twist to the regular stand up show at a dark bar. It’s also been really fun to watch comedians try and keep it PG 13 if a kid walks into the room and code switch as soon as they walk out. Sometimes it can be difficult working with good friends because it can be hard to stay serious and professional, but it’s also been a ton of fun and made us all closer.
A difficult part of running a monthly show, as a comedian, has been adding at least some new material to my set every month. Since we have some audience members that come to every show, we can’t be giving them the same exact same sets. I also want to use the time to play around with new jokes but at times find it intimidating to get on the same stage as the bigger names we’re booking. We want to make sure to produce a great show but we also want to have a good set which can be stressful at times.
Please tell us about Spilled Milk.
Spilled Milk is monthly free stand up comedy show at Milk Bar on Melrose. We are usually on the second Tuesday of the month, but every so often it changes. Life, you know? Sometimes it gets in the way!
We are proud of the fact that we are entirely female produced! YAS Lady Bosses!! Having the power to create an inclusive space that celebrates diversity and favors the underdog was our goal. Watching it grow and blossom has been a genuine delight. We wanted to make the rules and run a safe, supportive show.
While being entirely female sets us apart, the show’s actual premise also stands out. We’ve followed the lead of some other dope LA comedians and have taken the comedy show out of the bar/club and put it in an unconventional location — a dessert shop. Instead of two drink minimums we have free entry and lots of dessert discounts and giveaways! Stand-up is all about finding truth in comedy, and the truth is that ice cream and comedy are a perfect combination.
Each show features amazing diverse lineups each month comprised of both local comics and touring headliners, up-and-comers, and well-established acts. The show has a great vibe and is always packed.
What were you like growing up?
Kyra: Growing up, I was definitely a troublemaker/jokester. I got detention in Hebrew school more than once. I was the biggest tomboy you could imagine and always wore my older brothers clothes. Was definitely a big weirdo and in fifth grade made national news for digging up a giant boulder with two friends.
Isabela: I was the youngest of 13 cousins so I got my head flushed in a toilet thrice too many times and the best way for me to deal with it was to joke back and pretend it didn’t get to me. At school I always towed the line between being a bully and getting bullied……. One could say I was a Lady Bird of sorts. Drama! Intrigue! Insecurities I didn’t show anyone except my close family when I lashed out!
Emily: I was THAT type-A theatre kid. You know, the one who ran National Honor Society and pledged her life to the school’s International Thespian Society? Performing and producing have been an integral part of my personality since I was playing dolls at age five and instructing my friends on which voices to use for which characters. A love of storytelling, a desire for attention (just being honest here), and a knack for falling down led me to where I am now.
Pricing:
- Free
Contact Info:
- Address: Milk Bar
7150 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046 - Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @spilledmilkcomedy
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
