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

Noelle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I started my journey to becoming a stand-up comedian “later” in life. Most comedians start in their 20’s but I decided to forgo the obligatory mid-life crisis and jump into something I always wanted to do but never had the courage. I am finding that being a late bloomer in comedy has turned out to be just wanted I needed.

Noelle, 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 am a middle-aged mom turned stand-up comedian who is in the thick of building her comedy career in NYC. I intentionally took a job in NYC so I could do open mics and take stand-up classes after work. I have to work a full-time (non-comedy) job because I have two teenagers just a few seconds away from college. During my hour-and-a-half commute to and from work (I am from Jersey), I write material. I have performed comedy in NJ, NYC, and Arizona.

My material is typically about my childhood, raising my kids, and getting older. I am most proud of the fact that I decided to go after this later in life. I hope my fans are encouraged that it’s never too late to get after a dream. You don’t have to wait until your kids are out of the house. You just have to get creative.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

In stand-up comedy, bombing is important. It’s an important part of excelling in the craft. It’s the only way to learn if something is funny or not.

I did a set in a local bar and it did not land. Not a single soul laughed. Those 7 minutes on stage felt like hours. As soon as I stepped off the stage, I wanted to go into hiding. I told another comedian what happened and how I was considering quitting comedy. They threw their head back and let out a cackle, “Oh, honey. The only way you get funny is by bombing your way to it.”

I had to unlearn that failure should be avoided. It’s the necessary tool to get better. As soon as I started to perceive failure as feedback, my jokes began to work.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a stand-up comedian is being able to watch people become less stressed out and unburdened throughout the set. The more they laugh, the lighter they become. There is no greater feeling than knowing that my art helped someone find some joy in the middle of this dark world.

A lot of my material is rooted in my pain and struggles. Being able to take what has been difficult and turn it into something helpful is way better than therapy. And cheaper. Don’t tell my therapist.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: noellerhodescomedy