Dear Toni,

I am a 19-year-old student of Business and Screenwriting looking to further my education in both the business and artistic sides of the entertainment industry.  As I have gotten more involved, I have discovered that my true love seems to be stand-up comedy and improvisation.  I’m naturally hilarious and everyone loves me.  But that doesn’t pay for dinner. What steps should I take towards furthering my comedic career?  Also, I auditioned for an improv group at my University and I found it to be very much an “old boys club”-type deal.  In fact, when I heard some second-hand commentary of my performance, I was called “too sassy, too sarcastic, but pretty”.  Why is it that some Improvisers tend to be so snooty and exclusive, especially when it comes to letting female comics in?

Dear Georgette,

            From some of the words you have used, you sound very self-confident.  This is really a good thing for a young girl to possess if you wish to break into the world of improvisation.  It’s good that you’re sassy and pretty.  Perhaps, the men were a little intimidated by the fact that you might have been funnier than them.  In improvisation, I find that women are sometimes there to be supportive and serve as the straight-person for the men.  Now, this isn’t always true.  But I find in most cases, it is.  I know from my own experience, working as an improviser with such famous people as Robin Williams, that I had to know when to step back and let the funnyman be funny.  Please don’t back down from your power as a comedienne and an improviser.  Why don’t you start an all-female group?  Let some of the women play the male roles like they do in Japan’s Takarazuka Revue. 
That would be funny and sexy!

Thank you for taking the time to write.
Toni Attell

Toni Attell is a hypnotherapist and acting coach. For people interested in her acting classes please call (818) 787-8685. For hypnotherapy go to www.hypnosis4you.net.