Stand-up comedy spotlight: Katie Bowman
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Published by Sareth Ney on May 9, 2018 at 8:27 p.m.
Updated on May 10, 2018 at 5:56 p.m. |
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Photo credit: From the Hip Photo
Sareth Ney: What inspired you to perform stand-up comedy?
Katie Bowman: I always wanted to do comedy. I was never given a “how to” process until after college, when I went on a date to an improv show. I was hooked on the idea but scared to show up; in fear the guy I dated was going to be there. How silly, huh? Then, an ex-guy friend and I were talking about funny new shows and I told him about “Broad City”.
His reply was, "No way! I am so sick of girls that aren't cute trying to do comedy."
Obviously, he was an idiot.
A couple unsuccessful dates later—I thought, "What do I have to lose? Comedy needs more women."
SN: What was the feeling like, when you first performed stand-up comedy?
KB: I started in improv and that was great. The first set of stand-up I ever did felt great. I did a show called “Freak Train”. It was at The Bug Theatre and it was an extremely warm audience, with a great head count for my first time being on stage in an open mic set up. As fun as that was—I was still scared and would go to other mics off-and-on, for a good handful of months. I finally started realizing more people were saying I was really good at stand-up. It was lonely being new. I just kept my head down, tried to be nice to people and worked hard (like hitting five mics a week). It finally feels like I am meant to be here. HA!
SN: What are your favorite comedy specials and record albums?
KB: Sarah Silverman’s “Jesus Is Magic” and her Netflix special are awesome. Ali Wong’s “Baby Cobra”, Morgan Murphy’s “Irish Goodbye” and all of Wanda Sykes’ works are amazing. I love everything from Maria Bamford because she creates comedy specials in such unique ways.
SN: What are your favorite sketch shows, sitcoms and comedy films?
KB: I grew up watching a lot of “Saturday Night Live“ (“SNL”) and “Monty Python”. Also, Nickelodeon really fed my sick humor. I swear. In more recent years—I really love “Broad City”, “High Maintenance”, “Chappelle’s Show”, “Key & Peele”, “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation”.
SN: If you could go on tour with any comedian, which one would you choose?
KB: Maria Bamford
SN: If you could get roasted by five comedians (past or present), which ones would you choose?
KB: Sarah Silverman, 2 Dope Queens, Flight of the Conchords (‘cause why not be in a roast song), David Cross and Tig Notaro
SN: Which other forms of comedy would you like to venture off into?
KB: My dream goal is to create a drama/comedy show that is a parody of my day job at Planned Parenthood. It is really heavy or really hilarious, what we work with on a day-to-day basis. I think something like that could ease into talking about stigmatized reproductive health care. This country is so bad at educated people on that side of their life. I think this would really be a fun project. I also would love to have a 30 minute special one day.
SN: What experience would you like for your audience to take with them, after a set is over?
KB: I just want to speak to truths in my life and hope that there are people out there that my experience resonates with.
SN: Where do you see your comedy career, in the next five years?
KB: I hope I can get that 30 minute special but if I can make a reproductive health care show…Hell yeah, dude!
SN: Where can the readers find you online and on social media?
KB: Twitter at @BadGalBowman or my website www.katiebowman.rocks
Editor's note: This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
Katie Bowman: I always wanted to do comedy. I was never given a “how to” process until after college, when I went on a date to an improv show. I was hooked on the idea but scared to show up; in fear the guy I dated was going to be there. How silly, huh? Then, an ex-guy friend and I were talking about funny new shows and I told him about “Broad City”.
His reply was, "No way! I am so sick of girls that aren't cute trying to do comedy."
Obviously, he was an idiot.
A couple unsuccessful dates later—I thought, "What do I have to lose? Comedy needs more women."
SN: What was the feeling like, when you first performed stand-up comedy?
KB: I started in improv and that was great. The first set of stand-up I ever did felt great. I did a show called “Freak Train”. It was at The Bug Theatre and it was an extremely warm audience, with a great head count for my first time being on stage in an open mic set up. As fun as that was—I was still scared and would go to other mics off-and-on, for a good handful of months. I finally started realizing more people were saying I was really good at stand-up. It was lonely being new. I just kept my head down, tried to be nice to people and worked hard (like hitting five mics a week). It finally feels like I am meant to be here. HA!
SN: What are your favorite comedy specials and record albums?
KB: Sarah Silverman’s “Jesus Is Magic” and her Netflix special are awesome. Ali Wong’s “Baby Cobra”, Morgan Murphy’s “Irish Goodbye” and all of Wanda Sykes’ works are amazing. I love everything from Maria Bamford because she creates comedy specials in such unique ways.
SN: What are your favorite sketch shows, sitcoms and comedy films?
KB: I grew up watching a lot of “Saturday Night Live“ (“SNL”) and “Monty Python”. Also, Nickelodeon really fed my sick humor. I swear. In more recent years—I really love “Broad City”, “High Maintenance”, “Chappelle’s Show”, “Key & Peele”, “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation”.
SN: If you could go on tour with any comedian, which one would you choose?
KB: Maria Bamford
SN: If you could get roasted by five comedians (past or present), which ones would you choose?
KB: Sarah Silverman, 2 Dope Queens, Flight of the Conchords (‘cause why not be in a roast song), David Cross and Tig Notaro
SN: Which other forms of comedy would you like to venture off into?
KB: My dream goal is to create a drama/comedy show that is a parody of my day job at Planned Parenthood. It is really heavy or really hilarious, what we work with on a day-to-day basis. I think something like that could ease into talking about stigmatized reproductive health care. This country is so bad at educated people on that side of their life. I think this would really be a fun project. I also would love to have a 30 minute special one day.
SN: What experience would you like for your audience to take with them, after a set is over?
KB: I just want to speak to truths in my life and hope that there are people out there that my experience resonates with.
SN: Where do you see your comedy career, in the next five years?
KB: I hope I can get that 30 minute special but if I can make a reproductive health care show…Hell yeah, dude!
SN: Where can the readers find you online and on social media?
KB: Twitter at @BadGalBowman or my website www.katiebowman.rocks
Editor's note: This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sareth Ney is the journalist for A Quarter and Dream Pictures. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications from Colorado State University-Pueblo. He is a former apprentice to master of horror, Clive Barker. He is a Wu-Tang Clan inspired superhero, Wu-Man Chu. He is an award-winning short filmmaker; his goal is to write 150 articles in select time zones, he inducts every article into his hall of fame, is a stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, philanthropist, founder and co-host of Pueblo's Independent Multimedia Podcast, is the festival director at Sareth-Fest Music and Comedy Festival and Corazon Comedy Festival.
