Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Carter.
Denise, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
One day I was told my father was dying of Prostate cancer and needed to go on Hospice. I said to myself, I wanted to make him laugh everyday single day while he could. I took a comedy class for a few weeks and there is where I found my voice to help me through his dying process. I said” Dad I’m going to talk about your kids, he said do it” that’s how I started my comedy career in 2013. My father was able to see me perform my first 5 minutes before he died from his hospital bed. That’s when I knew laughter was the best medicine.
A smile is an icebreaker that can carry you through a world of pain. I went through this process for my healing….. When I perform, my shows are dedicated to making people smile…..
“I come from a large family of 8, I just happen to be the largest one!”
Denise Carter was voted most humorous at Haydock Jr. High School. Who knew she would turn out to be a professional and amusing entertainer from Oxnard, CA.
I’ve been doing comedy since 2013. I started producing my own shows in 2015.
I currently produce a shower once a month at the Haven at white sales in Oxnard every fourth Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM. Next show is January 26 at 7:30 PM all female lineup. I also produced a show at the oxnardlevity live, which is part of the Improv what’s a quarter which is extremely exciting. I also like comedy produce host different shows, as well as private parties.
I’ve emceed the Juneteenth festival for the last five years. I’ve also MC the bowl full of blues in OJAI. The Festforums in San Francisco and Santa Barbara. I also hosted a portion of the Oxnard Jazz Festivals Inn, 2022 I’m grateful for all the people who supported live stand-up comedy.
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?
Well, that’s a very good question. When I first started out I just told people to come see me do comedy. I did my first eight minutes in 2013 that was easy to get people to come out to support me. I work in the healthcare field, where my job is to help families and patients with Home health care, skilled care, nursing and therapy as well as end of life care hospice. So I believe those people who die work with wanted to support me. I like to think of it as a balance to the incredible work that I do as work-life balance. It’s not been smooth because it’s often difficult to get people to come to your shows, especially if you have a show on a Wednesday or Thursday when most people are working. I struggle with is social media trying to get people to come out to support you so I started focusing on getting emails.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I currently work for mission healthcare, where we provide home health, skilled care and hospice, as well as public care. I specialize in hospice. My job is to assist families when they have made a decision to focus on the quality of life versus quality of life. I’m known for “one call does it all” Which I am extremely proud of. When people need assistance, I’m one of they think of first. That’s what sets us apart from others we my team and I will do the hard work. We help by any means necessary get things done for their love ones when it comes to assistance in the healthcare arena, I don’t have all the answers but what I have is a great smile, a warm heart and a listening ear.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I have a gregarious personality and an amazing smile. I have the ability to walk in the room and light it up with my energy and personality. A gift we all got from my father; there is 8 of us.
Pricing:
- 15-20 tickets to Comedy shows
Contact Info:
- Website: comediandenisecarter.com
- Instagram: comediandenisecarter
- Facebook: comediandenisecarter
- Linkedin: Denise carter
- Twitter: comediandenisecarter
- Youtube: comedy by denise carter
Image Credits
Kimberly Gandy
