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Interview Tue Nov 22 2011
Interview: Joel Kim Booster
Last month's Queer Comedy (Contest) at Zanies narrowed ten contestants down to three winners. Joel Kim Booster, who won first place, will return to stage tonight in his Zanies debut. I talked with him recently about the contest, being a queer comic and Louis CK.
Winners from last months Queer Comedy (Contest) at Zanies, L to R, Joel Kim Booster, Caitlin Bergh, Homer Mars, with host Adam Guerino. Photo by Alexandra Moskovich.
Congrats on winning "Queer Comedy Contest at Zanies"! How does it feel?
Crazy. All the other queers were really funny, and pretty intimidating. I walked around for an hour afterwards. I couldn't feel my face I was so shocked.
Talk about your comedy experience. How did you start? What brought you to Chicago?
I came to Chicago about a year ago to start my acting career. Comedy never really occurred to me. But after I got here I starting working with the theatre company, The New Colony, which was full of so much incredible comedic talent--improvisors, stand-ups, just a lot of funny people. At some point I guess I just picked some of that up and started to learn from it. A lot of them had been doing this for a lot longer than I have, so being around them was like taking a free masterclass. They gave me a shot to do some stand-up one night back in August at one of our after hours events, and I loved it.
What inspires you?
I go on a lot of bad dates, and get picked up at bars by really awful people. I wouldn't say it inspires me, but it's definitely a start.
What's the ultimate goal?
I just want what every entertainer in their mid-twenties wants, become famous and get asked back to speak at my High School's graduation ceremony.
Who are your favorite comics?
Louis CK. In a way, he's the reason I wanted to do this in the first place. I started watching Louie when it aired, and I thought his stuff was brilliant. I had the chance to work with Beth Stelling this past summer on 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche with the New Colony, and she was definitely a huge inspiration. Her comedy is so personal, and I loved that. She doesn't just tell jokes, she just puts her life out there and lets everyone laugh with her.
You can catch Joel tonight in his Zanies debut at Queer Comedy at Zanies. Tickets here.
