Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Moniz.
Liz, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I had a rough start in life. I did not have very many friends growing up. I was a survivor of child sexual abuse and went through a string of abusive relationships as a teenager. I became a single mom at the age of 18 and left school to care for my son full-time. It took me a few years, but I really found myself as a mom, and, finally, was living what I would call a good life. However, I would often wonder where my life was going- honestly, I had no idea. I’d always thought of myself as a “creative” person, but I didn’t know how to express that creativity. I tried singing but was terrible at it. I tried acting, but never got anything other than small roles in school plays when I was younger. I was going through life feeling like there was something inside me, that was desperate to be expressed, but I didn’t know what.
I was always told I was funny, and that I had a way with words and telling a story. I had thought maybe I might be good at standup comedy, but I never thought I would ever try it, mostly because I had no idea where to begin. Finally, I reached out to a friend who had been doing standup for years, and he was able to get me on a show at the Comedy Connection in East Providence, RI. After weeks and weeks of blood, sweat, and tears in preparation, I completely froze moments into my set, and literally ran off the stage. But, for the first time, I had gotten a taste of something that I really wanted.
I went back and looked over the giant notebook I had filled with material that I wanted to share. It was all anecdotes from my life- real things that had happened to me. A lot of it was painful, but I was writing and rewriting it in ways that I knew would resonate with people and make them want to laugh with me. At my next show, the most amazing thing happened. I was still afraid, but the audience was laughing. They were into it. People came up to me after, and told me how much they’d loved my set, and that they wanted to hear more about my life and what I had to say. That’s when I realized, this would always be difficult. So is everything else that’s worth it. And I really, really wanted to be good at this. This was something special.
I’ve made so many amazing friends doing standup, who inspired me and helped me along the way. In March of 2017, some of those friends and I put together a comedy fundraiser for Planned Parenthood, at AS220 in Providence, RI. It was an all-female comedy showcase. Not only was it a killer show, but we raised over $1,000 and every cent of it went toward reproductive rights for local woman. To be in the position I was in as a teenager, and then to become a successful woman who helped make something like that happen was nothing short of amazing, and very, very humbling.
Fast forward to now, I’m almost three years into my comedy “career”, and I’m now the Community Curator for comedy at AS220, and produce/host monthly showcases there, in addition to the other shows that I do. I’m also married and have had another child, as well as a full-time job. It isn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination, but for the first time in my life, I feel like I have a purpose. I tell my story, and I bring joy to people’s lives. It sounds so cheesy, but it’s literally a dream come true. I never thought my life would be anything close to what it is today.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road whatsoever. The biggest challenge for me is juggling all of it. I have nights where I have a show booked, but I feel guilty for not spending that time with my family, but I know that to be a good mother, and a good wife, I have to be happy, too.
There’s and amazing Charles Bukowski quote that goes, “find what you love, and let it kill you.” That’s always stuck with me. To me, that means once you’ve found the thing that drives you, let it run you ragged. There is nothing greater than finding the thing you’re good at, and any negative feelings are just part of the process.
My advice for young female comics would be, do not let anyone tell you what you should and should not be talking about on stage. Comedy is very much a subjective art. Not everyone is going to want to hear what you have to say, but for every one person who is sitting in the audience, stone-faced and thinking “how dare she talks about that”, there’s one more person who will hear it says “Wow, I know exactly how she feels about that.” That’s the beauty of comedy. Once you really find your voice, there’s no shutting her up, and there will always be people who want to hear what she has to say. Do not be afraid of your inner voice.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am very much a “story-teller” comic. All of my jokes are true things, that has actually happened to me. I love telling the audience about something that, in all honesty, probably really sucked at the time, and seeing them laugh because they get it.
I think my material brings light to a very underrepresented demographic. I do jokes about being raised Italian-catholic, about being a teen mom, about growing up in a dysfunctional family, and about being a mother today. I love giving audiences a tour of the female perspective. The majority of comics are male, of course. There’s no getting around that it’s a male-dominated industry. So, being female alone sets me apart, but the fact that I’m a FUNNY female is what I feel really gives me an edge.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Keep to yourself for as long as possible. It can be tough when you’re new to a scene, and everyone is trying to talk to you and telling you what they think is best. Someone who has your best interests at heart isn’t going to try to make you agree with everything they have to say – that person only cares about themselves and how other people reflect on them. Being a true mentor isn’t about ego, it’s about seeing the strength and beauty in another person, and helping them to see it, too. When you meet someone who fuels the fire in your heart and makes you want to be the best version of yourself, that is someone who can help you get to places you may have difficulty going to on your own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://as220.org/as220-live-arts/community-curators/liz-moniz-comedy/
- Email: lizmonizcomedy@gmail.com
- Instagram: Lizz_monizz_comedy
- Facebook: Liz Moniz (Elizabeth Cupertino)
Image Credit:
Patrick Garriepy
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