We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mason LeCompte a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Mason, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?
Throughout my career, I’ve gained invaluable lessons from various jobs. As an office temp, I discovered the importance of admitting mistakes, recognizing that transparency is crucial for achieving successful outcomes. In television production, I learned a critical lesson about the perils of rushing tasks, especially under pressure, as haste often leads to errors.
However, the most profound lesson influencing my comedy came from my experience in dinner theater. Performing in front of large audiences taught me that it’s perfectly okay to embrace vulnerability and make a complete fool of myself. Initially daunting, the opportunity to act silly and entertain a crowd allowed me to confront and conquer my fears. Each night performing in a slapstick comedy play was a lesson in courage—learning to take a deep breath, embrace uncertainty, and push through fear to discover the true magic of connecting with an audience.
Mason, 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?
I always tell people my whole life has been a joke. I’m originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia. As a kid, I used to love telling jokes to my family, especially one about a loudmouth green frog. My father used to tell long, drawn-out stories about someone in the room, which always turned out to be a joke. Just like my father, my comedy can be described as blue.
After majoring in film at Hollins University, I began working in production and acting in Virginia Beach. The jobs were limited, so I decided to take a leap of faith, apply for a bunch of credit cards, pack up all my worldly belongings into my old station wagon, and head cross-country. Back in those times, we didn’t have GPS, which meant I had to navigate using maps, like a pirate.
Once in LA, I worked in production on film and television. I also pursued acting and ended up landing the role of Tanya in the hit series Children’s Hospital. I decided to try doing stand-up comedy for the very first time at an Open Mic run by my now friend Sally Mullins. My first time was a success, and the other comedians congratulated and consoled me for my newfound path in life.
I want to bring joy to people and make them laugh. I’ve lived a rich life full of unique experiences which I can draw upon for my comedy, including working in a sex dungeon. My current focus is on booking comedy shows and parties. I’m also available to perform at weddings. I pride myself on reading audiences and connecting with them for maximum laughter potential. My jokes are raw from an unfiltered female perspective that is guaranteed to surprise, perhaps shock, but always tickle the funny bone.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Bringing joy to others and seeing them smile is my greatest passion. Making people laugh and brightening their day is incredibly fulfilling to me. My goal is to uplift people, to leave them feeling better than they were before they met me. Comedy, for me, is a powerful tool to lift spirits and provide a temporary escape from life’s challenges. In a world often overshadowed by fear, I believe in the profound healing ability of laughter. My aim is to make a meaningful and positive impact on as many lives as I can through the gift of laughter.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
First and foremost, I strongly believe that our society undervalues artists and creativity. I feel passionately that children should be encouraged to explore their creativity from an early age, rather than conforming to a one-size-fits-all approach. As a child, I was highly creative and learned in a unique way compared to my peers. Unfortunately, instead of recognizing my artistic gifts, I was often misunderstood and unfairly labeled as slow, which led to ridicule from both teachers and classmates.
It’s crucial that we acknowledge the immense value that artists bring to humanity, on par with doctors and engineers. We must move away from expecting everyone to conform to the same methods of thinking and learning. Embracing our differences is essential; each of us possesses unique strengths that contribute to a richer, more diverse society.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @masonlecompte
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/masonlecompte
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/MasonLeCompte
Image Credits
Cali Kings Studios, Kevin Heisinger