Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Jamison.
Lauren, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From the moment I could speak, I was entertaining. When one is given the gift of walking through this deal called the human experience certain things are organically embedded in your DNA that you cannot ignore or deny. For years, I resisted that little voice inside and fought the current of what I knew deep down I was meant to do, what I like to call, “being in alignment with my soul assignment”. It’s a tough realization that the only thing standing in your way is yourself and fear, but once you hurdle those fears there’s a spiritual awakening that lies on the other side. My fear transitioned to being more afraid of what would happen if I didn’t take the risk to do what I really wanted to do then if I failed at trying it. And oh has there been a failure! Many knockdowns, bruised and bloody, but when you want something bad enough and you keep going no matter what, magical things can happen.
Originally I’m from Houston, TX, but my folks decided to move us to San Diego when I was 14 and just entering high school. Not an easy transition! I headed back to Texas for college and after graduating from SMU in Dallas with a degree in Broadcast Journalism I worked many years at a desk in a cubicle strapped to a headset wanting to hang myself from it some days. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper and did not enjoy how I was spending a huge chunk of my time. It was time to stop talking about the things I always wanted to do and damn do ’em! I always knew I belonged on stage, that it felt like home to me, and it was time to make it a more permanent residence. I’ve been a Stand-Up Comedian since 2018. Emerging from Corporate America to performing for Corporate America, I finally found a unique way for my voice to be heard.
I began my Stand-Up journey in San Diego at a club called The Comedy Palace. It’s no longer there sadly, closing its doors during the pandemic, but the good news is it will be reopening soon under the name Mic Drop! (something you better never do as a comedian btw! If you break that mic, you won’t get booked there again, haha!) After having the profound experience of crafting material original to you, performing it for an audience and receiving that unparalleled response of laughter there was no turning back, I was HOOKED. I’ve taken my act up and down California performing at clubs such as Irvine Improv, The Comedy Store LA and our very own Comedy Store in La Jolla. I’ve had wonderful opportunities opening for Whitney Cummings, Ian Bagg, Donnell Rawlings, Rich Vos and Joe List.
I began a show for Veterans in 2019 at the American Legion in Encinitas bringing in top talent from all over the U.S.. While Covid may have stunted it’s growth for a hot minute, Post 416 has since reopened in 2021 and the show has returned better than ever! Be sure to catch the next one hosted by the fabulous Andrew Norelli every third Wednesday of the month!
Sobriety is a big part of my story, a major lifestyle change I embarked on that overlapped with my start in Stand-Up, but that’s a tale for another time or come catch me cracking jokes about it because there’s plenty to laugh at. I can confidently guarantee if I hadn’t gotten sober almost 3 years ago, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s been an intense and arduous adventure so far and the road can be crippling, but it’s worth it!
To quote Tom Hanks in A League Of Their Own, “ If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great”.
Currently, I’m touring around my home state and the deep South and it’s been incredible! Visit laurenjamisoncomedy.com or find me at @laurenjamisoncomedy on Instagram for show dates and all things comedy!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Heavens no! As a Stand-Up you are a one human band starting out. Writing, Producing, Performing, Marketing. I don’t know about other comedians, but I began as my own booker. You’re managing it all overseeing the full life cycle. Authoring the jokes, making the flyers, booking the comics, selling the tickets, etc. It can feel like you’re in the middle of an alley fight with feral cats, but when showtime comes and you finally surrender knowing you put in the hard work, you are able to keep going and do it again! You learn what could be better next time. Things start out as a gritty, rough old rock but after enough grinding it turns into a gem.
Money is a tricky thing too, I worked as a Realtor in San Diego for several years simultaneously when I was doing Stand-Up. You’re not a salaried, benefited employee as a “Broke”r! It’s all commissioned based so I was used to doing a series of odd jobs to keep my main one afloat from nannying, waiting tables, walking dogs and cleaning locker rooms at a yoga studio in Solana Beach- hey, free yoga!
I realized, if I’m going to work for free it better be something I absolutely love and that definitely wasn’t selling houses!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
After 4 years as a Stand-Up the artform olive branched and spiraled into other avenues of things I love. The pandemic is also responsible for that. When comedy and all live entertainment shut down in March of 2020 artists were incubating. What could we do with this time?
I started a podcast called Wake and Cake- Cake because I don’t “Bake” since I gave up drugs and alcohol, but I do love my sweets! This pod focuses on artists and their specific genius. I interview a lot of Comedians naturally!
I’ve had some exciting and interesting opportunities to act and do voiceover work so as of late that’s been fun to play with! I love to try new things, sky’s the limit! I didn’t feel that way when I worked in the Corporate force.
I have a movie coming out this spring called ‘Transubstantiation’ that was filmed in upstate NY. I feel it might be a right of passage to do at least one vampire flick in your career as an actor!
I’m most proud of my ability to keep going and trying new things. I never seem to be satiated when it comes to new experiences. I want to do it all!
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Face your fears, tackle them and believe in yourself. Trust that you’re enough! That little voice inside is not so little, don’t ignore it. Stop fighting it and listen to what it’s telling you. Great things will happen if you follow your heart. Oh, and have fun!
Contact Info:
- Email: kosherbarbiecomedy@gmail.com
- Instagram: @laurenjamisoncomedy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.jamison.54
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOcKfwMrS8NEHFKT-3A7cVQ
- Other: https://www.thenativesociety.com/questionables/2021/3/3/lauren-jamison-kosher-barbie-comedian
Image Credits
Margaret Farrell Photography
Nick Larson Photography
