We recently connected with Tennah and have shared our conversation below.

Tennah , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I have generally have always had this ache to be seen or create something I was proud of… I always was working on a thing; painting, drawing, especially writing.

But to really pursue and put my soul into, that was stand-up comedy.

The first open mic, was in a college town, of a college I didn’t attend. I was just a townie who was working as a home health aide, going from day to day

One of those all arts open mic, musicians, poetry, rappers, and a stand up…

The lay out of this mic was, wild to say the least, it ran from 7-11… each person got 20 min to do what ever they want, which sir, that is dangerous.

I have been known to be funny friend, sharing stories, definitely that silly bitch…
My friends at the time were definitely the “push into the pool” for this.

After weeks of prepping and writing, I finally signed up.

20 minutes was too much time, I had too much delusional confidence.
I went up there and filled that 20 minutes …
Looking back, I had no idea what I was doing, but that’s being in your 20s. I didn’t even know who I was. I tried to watch the video fairly recently…
And my body absolutely recoiled. I was just a baby….

But that was a moment, I knew I was in love. The energy, of people connecting with whatever goofy thing I was saying… it was electric. There was a sense of control I had never experienced, whether something landed immediately or not, it was on me.

My mindset after 10 years, has definitely changed…
I don’t think I knew who or what “my style” was til 6 years in.
It was so hard to know myself when I was culturally disconnected.

Being mixed in predominantly white spaces, I wasn’t making jokes me or women like me…

It took long drives to open mics to the middle of nowhere, taking risks with weird themed shows, get my heart broken with lost opportunities…

I’m definitely kinder to myself, could be kinder…
But I love writing and performing, especially when something like my experience as a brown woman resignates with another like me.

What a god damn gift.

That’s what art is, it’s connecting and finding.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a stand-up comedian and producer based out of Indianapolis.
I’ve been doing comedy 10 years.

I have so much I’m proud of. All while doing stand-up everywhere I can, and working my day job; I try to put alot of work into production.

Here’s my current shows and productions I have given my heart to.

I have co-ran an open mic for 3 years, at Downtown Olly’s, one of Indy’s oldest gay bars, along side another amazing producer, Jetta V. Our goal was to provide a queer safe space for comedians and anyone in the community curious about trying comedy. Something we felt was needed, especially being in Indiana.

Co-produce a monthly show at the White Rabbit Cabaret, Spicy Magic Comedy Nite, a variety show of stand-up comedy, burlesque and or drag, topped with a talk show vibe. Along side my Co-Producer, Daryl Hollonquest Jr.

Spicy Magic Comedy Nite is under our production, SMV LLC.

During covid, like most comedians, we had a podcast, Spicy Magic Vibes. What started as our take on cultural impact on media, Indy food spots, and ofcourse, chisme… it transformed to our variety show.

Co-produce Cardinal Comedy, with Daryl & Mariah Davison, an comedy production that does pop-ups around Indy. While i assist with stage and line-up, I also do our marketing and social media.

Co-host, along sign burlesque professional, Desiree De Carlo, a live dating game show, Let’s Make a Date. Very similar the game show, The Dating Game… we host a variety of competitive and silly games for someone to win a date.

Entertainment Assistant for, AAPI Pride of Indiana.
Cause yes, my ass is part Asian… and 100% tired as hell.

I’m Mexican, Filipino, & white… just in case anyone was unsure. Lol

…………

I realize I have listed so much, but that’s my life, I love collaborating and making something beautiful.

I don’t recommend everyone doing this amount, I’m fortunate enough, that i have so many good people in my corner for support so i can take those steps back. But being a human who wants to do it all is hard, practically dangerous, cause there’s times I still don’t think I’m doing enough.

I have had to learn when to say no, or balance the time of one thing to another.

Something significant, I try to remind myself of, is “there’s no one way to do this.” I can’t remember who actually said it, but it hits hard.

My life is “slow and steady”
Obviously the dream is having that Netflix special, tour year round
… going too fast to make it happen, isn’t for me… being in a rush, has hurt me too much

You can’t create from an empty cup, you have to live. A comedian’s is to observe and report, and I want to enjoy the sites during the ride.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I would have actively surrounded myself with more other women sooner.
Starting in a smaller comedy scene, smaller than Indy, there wasn’t alot of women… especially brown women.

I recognize that i would cater myself and my comedy to what the majority liked, and I wasn’t myself…

Finding and connecting with your people is soul soothing. When I felt more seen and heard, the writing became easier and more raw. Obviously this doesn’t apply to everyone, but to the mixed babies who struggled with identity crisis, I see you

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

The internet can be so great, particularly for informing communities, neighborhoods, etc of live shows in their area, upcoming event…
But there’s nothing like word of mouth. Coming from a millennial who genuinely used to hate asking questions and was addicted to Tumblr in the 2010s, human to human connection is pretty lovely! When you explore and support, it’s very likely, that will circle back to you.

I highly recommend, after you see a live show, whether it’s music or comedy, or seeing your local artists paintings, or crocheting works… spread the word, follow their socials, tell and show your friends. Buy when you can. Ask questions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tenncomedy.wixsite.com/tennah?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLY5KBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABpy8VmtnSdeLjx_jojfLLqf3Wdu9Nqs7HroPQgjNVkYjCm_GoaX_j6T3W2zeH_aem_j5kIDwgOGukuWfkkQjyobQ
• Instagram: @HorchataDelRey
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tenndelsol?si=uiBnNui_7VfQAQzO
• Other: TikTok: @Tennelote

Image Credits

Personal Photo: Candace Conner

Set of 4

Photo 1 & 3: Josie Carletta

Photo 2: Rowan Lim