Today we’d like to introduce you to Gayle Lewis
Hi Gayle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I stumbled into standup almost two years ago. On the advice of my therapist to explore new hobbies in the quest to get myself out of the house and socialize more, I signed up for Lace Larrabee’s Laugh Lab class at the Atlanta Punchline. I was a big theater kid in high school, and have always been a standup comedy fan, so it seemed like a logical hobby to explore. I remember feeling so out of my depth in that first class. Some of my classmates already had standup experience, and it was the first time in a long time that I could recall attempting something that I wasn’t immediately great at. I was the last person to hit the stage at that first class, and I could feel my anxiety elevate after each classmate had their turn. After class wrapped though, the anxiety dissipated once I listened to the recording I made of that set. Not because I told so many amazing jokes (believe me, I did not), but because, for the first time, I didn’t hate how my voice sounded on playback. I remember thinking, “there’s something here,” and that I would likely continue to pursue standup after the class ended in 6 weeks. By the time our graduation show rolled around and I hit the stage in front of an audience for the very first time, I was hooked.
I finished the class ready to hit the ground running toward open mics, but Mother Nature had other plans. That Christmas, the temperature in Atlanta dropped to below freezing, bursting pipes and wreaking havoc all over the city, including my condo. While living out of hotels and finally a temporary rental for a few months until my place was fixed, I did my best to make it out to mics as I could, but it wasn’t until Spring of 2023 that I managed to start making it out regularly. I got back into a groove, comedically, once I was able to go to open mics more consistently, and even began to start getting booked on the occasional show by the time Fall rolled around.
Then, without warning, I was let go from my full-time job before the holidays. The experience was shocking and hurtful, to say the least, but I found refuge in comedy. I went from hitting open mics 1-2 days a week to 3-4 days, sometimes hitting up multiple mics in a night. The hard work paid off, and I was accepted into my first comedy festival, the Lysistrata Comedy Fest in Austin, Texas in April.
Most recently, to commemorate my milestone 40th birthday in July, I challenged myself to do 40 different sets before the month was through. Gigs for my “Forty for 40” challenge ranged from your standard open mics to featuring on a showcase in Memphis, Tennessee. Having to fit in so many sets each week to reach my goal forced me out of my comfort zone and required me to go to stages in the area I’d been meaning to get to but always found an excuse not to go, like a long drive or just being plain tired. By the time I reached my 40th set on July 29th, I was definitely exhausted, but also thrilled with my accomplishment. The anxious woman I was in that first Laugh Lab class has become a kick-ass comedian.
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?
Though you have to navigate the politics in any workplace or field, my professional background in libraries and nonprofits definitely didn’t adequately prepare me for navigating them in the standup scene. On one hand, I sort of get it. Entertainment is a competitive field which puts many of its hopefuls in a scarcity mindset, and they treat others accordingly. Maybe it’s because I have a few years on many comics, along with years of other workplace experience under my belt, but I tend to be very realistic about “making it” in comedy. Sure, we’d all love to be signing the contracts on our Netflix special any day now, but it’s not necessarily going to happen for everyone, and that’s okay! We need to expand what we consider “successful” because it’s going to look different for everyone. For me, it’s important to have integrity and treat everyone with kindness and respect, not just those who seem like they can help me get further in comedy. I’d rather contribute to building a supportive community for all Atlanta comedians, because, at the end of the day, if we’re not having fun out here, what the heck are we even doing?
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m sure there are others out there somewhere, but as far as Atlanta goes, I think I might be the only comic who also has a master’s degree in library science. I’ve always been a strong writer, and though writing jokes is quite different from writing an academic paper, I think my comfort and skill with it has given me an advantage in my comedic writing.
Like most comics, what sets me apart is probably my own perspective and worldview. I’m writing from the perspective as a 40 year old woman who’s Jewish, single, late-ADHD diagnosed, and a former librarian/archivist. When you think about it, comics are generally talking about the same or similar topics as one another. What makes it unique is the background that informs how you approach these topics, and I love to see how we all bring our own creative spin to them.
How do you think about happiness?
Aside from all the usuals (family, friends, my dog), there’s nothing quite like the feeling when you’re absolutely killing it on stage. It’s euphoric and a little addictive, and it’s what keeps us comics coming back for more.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaylethequail/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Gayle-Lewis
- Other: https://www.threads.net/@gaylethequail
Image Credits
Declan Callahan
Lola Scott
