We were lucky to catch up with Cori Isla recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Cori thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Stand-up comedy is like most art.The worst you’ll ever be “technically” is when you first start. It just takes time and practice to find what works for you personally as a performer. You never wanna do what you think everyone else wants or go up and try to be another comedian, being you is the best thing you can do.

Cori , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Cori Isla. I am a queer, female, stand-up comedian, improviser, writer, and show runner. I also run Lavender Laughs women and LGBTQ stand-up comedy showcase and open mic. I feel like with being a creative or an artist, you know, or at least have an idea of, pretty early on what things you want to do and create. Ive always been on stage. wether it be at church plays when I was younger or musical theater when I got into high school, I just love live performance. Writing is something I’ve also always enjoyed doing. Stand-up comedy just seemed to fit everything I enjoyed about live performance and writing into one medium. I can say I’ve also always been goofy and weird, so comedy was a great space to get into because it encourages uniqueness and uplifts the weird. I make it a priority as a show runner to showcase up and coming women, LGBTQ, and local favorites. These comedians are always incredibly hilarious and put on a hell of a show. I think the best comedy shows are the ones that have a diverse line-up. Audiences don’t wanna hear the same perspective and jokes told by 4 people who look the same, so it’s almost imperative as a show runner to make sure you have a unique line-up of comedians from all walks of life. A lot of people I run into day to day who I mention to that I do stand-up, tell me the same slew of responses, “oh stand-up comedy is dead. You can’t say anything anymore. Everyone is so offended.” But truthfully, stand-up comedy is very alive and very much growing. Instead of it just being a mostly white, male dominated space, comedy is becoming more diverse which has made it more enjoyable and accessible to people. There’s truly a comedian and a voice for everyone. Being 21, I find my sense of humor and the things I joke about on stage to be more on the side of observational, generational, gay and dark. I’m very high energy and loud on stage. I love having the voice I do and having the privilege to share it with the world.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Stop funding BS, private art schools and support local art scenes.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Getting to make the things I want to make and seeing other people enjoy my art. I don’t think it should be a matter of popularity or even skill, but as an artists, YOU have to be the one to like your work. You have to write and create for yourself. No one can really tell you how to do things better or even how “good” you might be. You have to be the one to like and enjoy what you’re putting out, and Im so grateful I do and that other people seem to like my voice. Even when things aren’t received as I thought they might have been, It’s still rewarding getting a space and helping create a space to fail and come back. When one thing doesn’t work it just means you’re ready for the next step.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dynamiceldorado.fourthwalltickets.com/shows/lavender-laughs-showcase
• Instagram: extragravybiscuit, lavender_laughs_atl
• Facebook: Cori Isla
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9s-eNImLS0EZym8Oqr6Kvw