Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maddy Schmidt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Maddy, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents had normal jobs but creative hobbies, so our home was a sanctuary of art, music and comedy. I grew up in a very musical household, and as soon as my parents realized I could sing, I was headlining nursing homes all over central New Jersey. In fact, I was so burnt out in my first few years of performing, that I retired at the age of 6.

I experimented with other hobbies, and either sucked, got bored, or both. I quit ice skating when they started making us go backwards. I quit karate after getting my yellow belt (by which I mean, I peed my pants in front of the whole class). The last straw, for me and for my parents, was soccer, where instead of having anything to do with the ball, I sat in the goal making little fairy wands out of blades of grass. It was then that my parents decided I needed to do the school musical.

Ever since, my parents fostered, even prioritized my creative endeavors. My mom saved cardboard boxes, ribbons, scraps of fabric, anything that might be turned into a craft project. My dad, a pianist, helped me learn music for shows and choir. Most of all, they never let me give into fear. Stage fright was never a good enough excuse to not audition. The risk of failure never outweighed the importance of trying. Sometimes when I tell people I do stand up, they’re like “oh god that sounds so scary I could never.” It is scary, you’re going to suck at first, you will tell a joke and be met with absolute silence. But that’s not worth losing the possibility of getting great!

Maddy, 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?

I’m a stand up comic, writer and designer /creator of MES, an upcycled fashion label. Basically I have like 400 ADHD hobbies that I’m trying to roll into one cohesive thing. And right now that thing is my monthly comedy fashion show, Laughs @ The Land! It’s held at Customland LA, an indie label consignment shop run by two artists Halsey and Geeg who create amazing upcycled clothing, host fun workshops and events, and can basically custom-make anything you want.

Laughs @ The Land is a comedy/fashion show, meaning that it’s a traditional stand up show with amazing headliners (past performers include Dylan Adler and Aparna Nancherla), but it’s also a fashion show, where comedians are styled in unique handmade clothes from various vendors at Customland! Select pieces will be for sale outside the show, and audience members are encouraged to show up in their funkiest fits. Next show is Friday, October 18th! Get your tix here: https://www.customlandla.com/shop/p/1018-comedy-night

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think it’s hard for non-creatives to understand the idea of not doing a job for money. Granted, they’re right, making money sounds awesome. But if you lose money at the beginning of your creative career and it’s in service of getting great at your craft, the money will eventually follow. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

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

Stfu about ‘backup plans’. I assure you, you do not want your kids to have failed stand up comedians as English teachers. If you have a backup plan, you’ll probably give up on your dreams and end up doing that. So don’t! Stop pressuring artists to learn “practical skills”, let us die homeless and creatively fulfilled!!!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @schmidt__show ; @m_e_s_official

Image Credits

Sharra Lou Arriola
Chuck Friedman