Girls Killing it caught up with this super dynamic woman Desiree McKie who has over the past 6 years played a pivotal role in growing the SOUTH AFRICAN comedy scene in the gorgeous city of Capetown as the club manager of the CAPETOWN COMEDY CLUB.
1. How did you get involved in the Comedy Industry and for how long?
I’ve always loved stand-up comedy! My late dad introduced me to the likes of Bill Cosby (can we still talk about him?) and The Two Ronnies (rest in peace Ronnie Corbett) from a young age. So when a mutual friend introduced me to South African comedian and comedy club owner, Kurt Schoonraad, I knew I would fit right in! I was still working at the University of Cape Town at the time, so consulted part-time on the web and social media side of the then Jou Ma Se Comedy Club brand. This meant I spent a lot of time attending shows and getting to know the acts too! 6 years ago, in early 2010, Kurt offered me the opportunity to run the club (which was then based at The River Club in Observatory), once a week on a Thursday night. The club just kept growing from strength to strength so it was no surprise when we made the move to the V&A Waterfront in 2013. From a mere once a week pop-up venue, we are now Cape Town’s only dedicated stand-up comedy club and the second of its kind in South Africa, running shows 5 nights a week and 7 nights a week over the festive season.
2. You manage one of the largest comedy clubs in South Africa (Cape Town Comedy Club), What is a typical day for you?
It’s a 24/7 job with meetings, phone-calls and emails … lots of emails! Besides scouting and booking comedians from all over the country (and world) to ensure that we always have the best line-ups, my days are also spent overseeing the smooth running of our 180-seater club from a staffing, administrative and production perspective. Lots of time and energy is devoted to our PR and marketing campaigns to ensure that we always have a fun-loving comedy audience coming back for more! We also have really become the go-to people for everything comedy so every single day is different and often presents new opportunities in the forms of corporate events, fundraisers, product launches etc. One thing’s for sure … it’s never a dull moment with lots of laughter and fun behind the scenes too!
3. What do you enjoy about working with in the comedy industry
Educating new audiences about this comedy thing! There are still many people who haven’t had the awesome stand-up comedy club experience yet and who still think that they can only watch comedy in a theatre or on TV.
It is very rewarding to see a whole show come together and watch the new faces in the audience as we introduce them to our club and the hilarious world of comedy.
4. You work with some pretty amazing women in comedy i.e Mel Jones, Tracy Klass to name a few. Why do you think there are a few women in comedy?
Because comedy has always been seen as a male dominated industry and I guess taking the plunge is scary! This view is however changing and slowly, more and more women are bringing their funny to the stage.
5. What advice would you give a woman who wants to start up their own comedy nights?
a) A fabulous sense of humour is a MUST!
b) Lots of patience …
c) Tequila for the stressful days and long nights!
6. Lastly tell us a principle you live by in the business of comedy?
RESPECT everyone i.e. comedians, sponsors, clients, patrons, staff, suppliers etc. Everyone deserves respect because only then will it be reciprocated.
I’ve always loved stand-up comedy! My late dad introduced me to the likes of Bill Cosby (can we still talk about him?) and The Two Ronnies (rest in peace Ronnie Corbett) from a young age. So when a mutual friend introduced me to South African comedian and comedy club owner, Kurt Schoonraad, I knew I would fit right in! I was still working at the University of Cape Town at the time, so consulted part-time on the web and social media side of the then Jou Ma Se Comedy Club brand. This meant I spent a lot of time attending shows and getting to know the acts too! 6 years ago, in early 2010, Kurt offered me the opportunity to run the club (which was then based at The River Club in Observatory), once a week on a Thursday night. The club just kept growing from strength to strength so it was no surprise when we made the move to the V&A Waterfront in 2013. From a mere once a week pop-up venue, we are now Cape Town’s only dedicated stand-up comedy club and the second of its kind in South Africa, running shows 5 nights a week and 7 nights a week over the festive season.
2. You manage one of the largest comedy clubs in South Africa (Cape Town Comedy Club), What is a typical day for you?
It’s a 24/7 job with meetings, phone-calls and emails … lots of emails! Besides scouting and booking comedians from all over the country (and world) to ensure that we always have the best line-ups, my days are also spent overseeing the smooth running of our 180-seater club from a staffing, administrative and production perspective. Lots of time and energy is devoted to our PR and marketing campaigns to ensure that we always have a fun-loving comedy audience coming back for more! We also have really become the go-to people for everything comedy so every single day is different and often presents new opportunities in the forms of corporate events, fundraisers, product launches etc. One thing’s for sure … it’s never a dull moment with lots of laughter and fun behind the scenes too!
3. What do you enjoy about working with in the comedy industry
Educating new audiences about this comedy thing! There are still many people who haven’t had the awesome stand-up comedy club experience yet and who still think that they can only watch comedy in a theatre or on TV.
It is very rewarding to see a whole show come together and watch the new faces in the audience as we introduce them to our club and the hilarious world of comedy.
4. You work with some pretty amazing women in comedy i.e Mel Jones, Tracy Klass to name a few. Why do you think there are a few women in comedy?
Because comedy has always been seen as a male dominated industry and I guess taking the plunge is scary! This view is however changing and slowly, more and more women are bringing their funny to the stage.
5. What advice would you give a woman who wants to start up their own comedy nights?
a) A fabulous sense of humour is a MUST!
b) Lots of patience …
c) Tequila for the stressful days and long nights!
6. Lastly tell us a principle you live by in the business of comedy?
RESPECT everyone i.e. comedians, sponsors, clients, patrons, staff, suppliers etc. Everyone deserves respect because only then will it be reciprocated.