Today we’d like to introduce you to Powell Mansfield.
Powell, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I’ve lived in Atlanta my whole life and spent most weekends in Alabama with my family. They would hunt, fish, and do classically southern/stereotypically heterosexual things and I would comb through my mom’s extensive CD collection and choreograph dances to LeAnn Rimes and the Dixie Chicks: gays are resourceful like that!!! “Oh, I’ve found myself in a rural Alabama cabin? IMMA DANCE AND FLAIL MY LITTLE GAY BODY ALL AROUND THE LIVING ROOM.”
So, with that, I’ve been inclined to create and share at every point in my life, but I’ve shifted my goals a bit. I thought I’d be a singer or serious actor for a long thyme, but whenever I performed on stage, the only compliment I’d get was “You were so funny up there!!” and that would *tick* *me* *off* because “I WAS NOT TRYING TO BE FUNNY UP THERE!!!!!!” Anyway, I finally tried stand-up towards the end of college, and that’s when I felt that I’d finally found the creative outlet I’d been craving.
The point is: if you see me on stage these days, please DO tell me that you thought I was funny up there.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I’m a stand-up comedian because when Mary-Kate and Ashley were creating me, that’s what they intended me to be. They are my Sovereign Queens and, yes, I pray to them every night before I go to bed.
When people see me on stage, I hope they:
1. Laugh and enjoy themselves.
2. Text their gay friend(s) after my set and tell them about the cute, but not quite hot, gay male comedian they saw on stage and then said gay friend(s) reach out to me, and then we get to go on a date and eventually/ideally/probably get married!!!! Haha! I’ve been single for five years! Woah!
3. Feel encouraged to be a little more silly in their everyday lives. We’re not here for long, so if you aren’t embarrassing yourself at least every other day, it’s my personal belief that you aren’t letting yourself have enough fun, okay?! Don’t come for me on this!!!
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
Oh my lanta. You’ve GOT to get out of your home (or your bed, let’s be honest with ourselves, artists) and take in the art you love to create. Supporting other artists is just as important as creating your own resonant art. I go to a show every night of the week, whether I’m performing or not, and I’m filled to the brim with the talent of my peers. I am just as much a comedy fan as I am a comedian and I hope I never lose that. Comedy is the opposite of lonely, AMIRITE? Wow, am I a sage right now?
Also, listening to podcasts makes me feel less lonely. I’m an incredibly social person, but I’ve got those introverted tendencies– I think a lot of artists do. So listening to podcasts lets me feel like I’m around friends, but really I’m just making a turkey burger or something alone in my house. Did you hear that I am starting a podcast? You should listen to it when you’re lonely.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I’m so glad you asked. I perform around Atlanta multiple nights a week– sometimes EVERY night of the week if no one is mad at me or tired of my bullsh*t!!! (can I curse in this article?) My favorite ever places to perform? Star Bar on Mondays in L5P, Laughing Skull Lounge in Midtown, and at 1UP Comedy’s Ten Buck Comedy @ Highland Inn Ballroom, run by the fabulous Joe Pettis. I also co-host the fabulous 8-Bit Comedy @ Joystick Gamebar with the fabulous Annie Lockwood; that show is the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month @ 8 PM. The kicker? IT’S A FREE SHOW, HONEY!!!
I would be absolutely ~thrilled~ if your readers followed me @powellmansfield on, honestly, all of my social media. I’m talking Facebook; I’m talking Instagram; and yes, I’m even talking Twitter.
My doctor recently told me that my blood work showed I’d be starting a podcast soon, so I would very much like your readers to keep an eye out for that, okay? Most comedians face this point in their careers and, according to medical professionals, my thyme has indeed come to start a podcast.
Contact Info:
- Website: notquitemasculine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powellmansfield/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/powell.mansfield
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/powellmansfield
Image Credit:
Main photo (blue paint): Ari Skinner
Red-checkered shirt: Clayton English
Green shirt: 1AM Secret Show
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
