Rising Stars: Meet Alexis Simpson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Simpson.

Alexis, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started performing in my college comedy troupe, but it was just a hobby. I had no idea it could be a job. I was planning to go to grad school for neuroscience and work in a lab somewhere. After I graduated, I got a job in a research lab. However, I continued to do comedy- as a hobby. It was an increasingly serious hobby, but a hobby nonetheless. It didn’t get serious until I befriended some comedians from Los Angeles while performing at a comedy festival- I think it was in North Carolina. Or it could have been Toronto. I saw them in a few different places. Eventually, they were like “You’re good. Why don’t you live in Los Angeles? You should move here.” And…I did! I had no idea what I was doing, but I was very lucky to have made those friends before I moved. They introduced me to some wonderful communities, gave me stage time, and showed me the basics of “How to move to LA and NOT move away again in a few short months while sobbing.” And I’m still here! I’ve got TV credits, representation, I’m active in the LA comedy scene, and I’m writing for an award-winning podcast and TV show. I did it, Mom!

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?
Oh, it has most definitely NOT been a smooth road. There have been a lot of tears, and a lot of hours of hard work. I picked a career in which I’m asking people to judge me, and sometimes they don’t like me. It doesn’t feel great! But I’ve learned to not care too much. Plenty of people think I’m funny. *I* think I’m funny. So if a particular person doesn’t think I’m funny? Well, it’s ok to be wrong. They can work it out in therapy.

Another big part of my job is auditioning. Some people think auditioning sucks. Wrong! Auditioning is fun! It’s the “Never hearing anything ever again after you audition” that sucks. It also sucks to be told “Sorry, you did not get the part.” Basically, the only outcome of an audition that feels good is “You got the part!!” And, mathematically speaking, that doesn’t usually happen. It’s just math. But I have learned to deal with that by trying to completely forget about an audition as soon as it’s done. This means I have to tell my dad things like “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about” when he asks me how my audition went.

I also have two young kids and a husband, which means that my time and energy are limited. Everyone’s time and energy are limited, of course, but I’ve really had to pare down my business investments to only the most important things. It’s actually been a bit of a blessing, I guess. There’s a lot of power in saying “No thanks, I’d rather spend time with my family.”

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a comedian, actor, and writer. I specialize in improv comedy and have approximately 100 years of experience. In fact, I always laugh whenever I hear other improvisers say things like “oh wow it’s been a WHILE, I’m so RUSTY at IMPROV” because I’ve done it for so long that I don’t think I could rust if you wrapped me in tin foil and dropped me in a lake. The secret is that I’ve done so much improv that I no longer care if my show is good, and that is what makes me good.

The project I’m the most proud of is The Story Pirates. We take stories written by kids and turn them into an awesome comedy show, podcast, or tv show. I’m a staff writer for the podcast, which is often rated the #1 podcast for kids & families and has collected numerous awards. We’re currently working on the third season of our TV show “SPTV”- check your local listings!

The other project I’m most proud of (I do not choose between my children, THANKS) is Motherfuckerhood. It’s a blog/Instagram about my parenting experiences. It’s a totally ludicrous journey and I hope that I capture that in my posts.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
DMs open, baby! I really like working with other cool people, especially if those people have skills that I lack, and I have skills that they need. We can be one another’s Jack Sprat and Lean-Hating Wife!

Find me on Instagram (@motherfuckerhood or @amutepiggy if you are squeamish about swear words). My website www.itsalexis.com also exists, but it’s less frequently updated. Or check out my live shows: Aunt Becky Loves 90’s Sitcoms monthly at UCB, or fantasy roleplaying game-themed improv Drunkards & Dragons, 1st & 3rd Thursdays at The Pack Theater. Come to a show and talk to me afterwards! Please do NOT be a stalker or murderer, thanks!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.itsalexis.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amutepiggy or https://www.instagram.com/motherfuckerhood
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/amutepiggy

Image Credits
Quillard Photography, Inc, Carolina Rodriguez, Rob Mainord Photography