We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful MARLA MASSIE. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with MARLA below.

MARLA, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

standup comedy is my life now, but it wasn’t always easy. Anybody who tells you standup comedy is easy…is a liar. this is my story.

MARLA, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Marla Eyvette Massie. I’m 36 years old and I live in Cleveland, OH. I’m a standup comedian, writer, actor, and producer.

I’ve been actively involved in the local standup comedy scene for almost a decade, but I’ve been interested in comedy since I was a child. I’d watch old school kids comedy shows like Kenan & Kel, All That, and The Amanda Show. I wanted to do the same things they were doing.

I am one of eight black female comedy festival showrunners in the entire country. I’ve worked incredibly hard to get to where I am today, even though I’ve faced many hardships, from not being taken seriously by my peers to outright harassment and being told that I’d never amount to anything. Even though words hurt like hell, I persevered and now I’m very much respected by my community.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Back in September 2019, I drove down to Nashville for the StandUp NBC Comedy Search. I left Cleveland the morning of the 6th, then hung out/camped out and waiting until Zanies opened up at 9am on the 7th.

Some people told me that the NBC thing is a waste of time. Some people told me that comedy festivals are a waste of time.

Some people have told me that I’m not funny. Some people have told me I’m not funny enough for something as big as NBC.

Some people have told me I’m not funny enough to work in the clubs or funny enough to replace anyone currently working in the clubs.

Some of these people are people I know, people who at the time I considered to be my friends.

It was MY dream, and I knew I’d go for it by any means necessary.

Despite not advancing in the competition, the winner ended up headlining my inaugural Sixth City Comedy Festival in 2021. Her name is Franqi French, and she is hilarious.

She and I still talk frequently, and having her in my corner shows me that black women in comedy are supportive

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

I know there is the issue of finances, since most startups don’t have liquid capital to initially get themselves off the ground. One thing that I feel is important is utilizing the power of social media. If your friend has a budding business and you just don’t have the financial means to show support, you can simply share their profile or works onto your page to help get the word out.

Contact Info:

• Website: sixthcitycomedy.com/marlamassie
• Instagram: instagram.com/marleyfromcle
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/marleyfromcle
• Linkedin: Check out Marla Massie’s profile on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlamassie