Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen O’Neill Smith.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’ve been obsessed with all things comedy since I was a small child. I remember writing into this show called “Name Your Adventure” hosted by Mario Lopez. I told him that I wanted to be the first child to host Saturday Night Live. He didn’t pick me and to this day I haven’t forgiven him. (Mario….**eyebrow raise**) I didn’t actually start doing stand up until after I was married with children. I think being a little older actually may have helped me progress faster. I already had a pretty good sense of who I was and had more life experience to draw material from.
Please tell us about your art.
I do stand up comedy. Being a mother of two who has a full-time job during the day (and then I do stand up at night) I don’t have a lot of free time to sit down and write. I walk my dog for an hour every morning to complete silence (no headphones, no music). During that time I just let ideas flow in and out, and by the end of the walk, I usually have a joke or two that I scribble down when I get home and try out later that night. Most of my material is relationship and observational humor. I hope that people can take away from my sets that its OK to laugh about relationship problems. Relationships (with partners, kids, parents etc..) are hard and that’s NORMAL. That’s what makes them real…not matching khaki family sunset pics. Listen, matching khaki family sunset pics are great. You look beautiful. I’m just willing to bet that a lot of screaming and crying happened on the drive over. Let’s share that pic, too.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I think the role of an artist has always been to provoke thought. I don’t think that ever changes, but comedians will definitely draw from current events for material.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
People can see me all around town at the Laughing Skull Lounge, the Punchline, at a show I produce with Travis Jones and Ian Aber called Date Night which takes place at Argosy in East Atlanta. I also co-produce the Red Clay Comedy Festival with Mike Albanese and Gilbert Lawand which also takes place in East Atlanta Village. This year we have Maria Bamford and Janelle James headlining. I’m super excited about it and you should be too! It’s going to be amazing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jenoneillsmith.com
- Instagram: @jenoneillsmith
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.o.smith.39
- Twitter: @jenoneillsmith
Image Credit:
Lola Scott
Ashton Garner
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