Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia Madison
Hi Felicia , 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?
Taking that first class confirmed it. As an older mother entering the downtown comedy scene, I faced challenges, including the late nights. This challenge inspired me to create Laughercise Lunchtime Comedy Shows, bringing comedy uptown for my friends during school hours.
This venture led me to West Side Comedy Club, where I began producing shows and eventually expanded to daytime and nighttime performances. My success in these roles, along with my support for younger comics—who affectionately dubbed me “momager”—led to my role as Director of New Talent and eventually Talent Booker. During the pandemic, I worked tirelessly to keep the club active with Zoom and outdoor shows, and when we reopened, I was given the opportunity to run the entire club.
Alongside managing the club, I continued to develop my stand-up and created a one-woman show, The Miserable Mrs. Madison, and produced a one-hour special, Better Than Sex, which garnered almost 200,000 views on YouTube and a viral Instagram post with 3.7 million views.
Earlier this year, I channeled my passion for supporting comedians into founding a comprehensive, multi-tiered comedy school with comedy legends Eddie Brill, Brian Scott McFadden, and Clayton Fletcher. Our school offers an exceptional curriculum and fosters a safe, nurturing environment, recognizing the importance of community and mental health in a career that can often be isolating.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While my journey in comedy has had its share of challenges, I’ve been fortunate that the road has been relatively smooth overall. Like many in this career, I’ve faced the usual ups and downs—jokes falling flat, not making it into festivals, or missing out on contests. But the biggest hurdle has often been myself. My persistent self-doubt and lack of confidence in my talent have been significant obstacles, holding me back from reaching even greater heights.
I feel like I’m finally approaching a stage where I genuinely believe I might achieve something substantial. Even as I embrace this newfound confidence, there’s still a part of me that wonders, “Can I really do this?”
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a stand-up comedian, I focus on the humor in motherhood and marriage, all while living in one of New York’s most affluent communities. What sets me apart is that there’s really no one else in my community doing this, making my perspective uniquely special.
While my comedy is a significant part of my work, I’m perhaps best known for creating a top-tier comedy club in Manhattan. This achievement I am most proud of was writing, producing, and performing in my one-woman show, The Miserable Mrs. Madison, at the NY Fringe Festival, as well as creating and performing in my one-hour special, Better Than Sex.
However, what I am most proud of are my three incredible children. They are often the subject of my humor, and while parenting can sometimes feel thankless and challenging, it’s also a rich source of comedy. The hardships of raising children have fueled my humor, but the love and effort I’ve invested in my family have resulted in three amazing adults.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Oh my god, favorite childhood memory! I am way too old for this question. I can barely remember what I did yesterday. While I can’t pinpoint a single memory, several stand out vividly. Dance recitals were a major highlight for me; dance was my passion, and I once dreamed of becoming a Broadway dancer. To this day, I’m happiest when I’m dancing the night away.
I also cherish the memories of hanging out with friends in the basement, belting out songs, playing sports with my teammates, and shopping with my mother rank among my top childhood experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.feliciamadison.com
- Instagram: @feliciamadisoncomedian
- Youtube: @feliciamadisoncomedian
- Other: https://www.funystandup.com
Image Credits
John Cafaro
JJ Ignotz