Comedian Erin Foley performs in Tampa this weekend
For the past 14 years, comedian Erin Foley has been making her rounds on the comedy circuit. After having a supporting role in the film “Almost Famous” she has been making her way through film and TV, landing guest spots on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Go On.”
This weekend she will be perform her stand-up routine in Tampa at the Stageworks Theatre on Kennedy Blvd. Foley was slated for one show on Friday night, but after almost selling out, they added another performance on Saturday. Tickets are $20 in advanced and $25 at the door.
The Oracle spoke with Foley about her experience with stand-up and what she has planned next.
Q: How did you get your start in comedy?
A: I got started in New York City. I was doing some improve in a comedy club and started watching stand-up. One thing led to another and I started doing stand-up. New York is the best place to do stand-up, so it was a good start.
Q: You have been in films and television, do you prefer acting or stand-up?
A: I definitely love stand-up the best. I like the live aspect of it and it is so creative. I can write all day and try the material out at night.
Q: How do you come up with your material?
A: Just from observation. I have been doing it for 14 years now. I pull from everywhere from stuff in the newspaper to stuff on TV or just conversations I have. I take it all in and whatever makes me laugh I try to write on it and hopefully others laugh as well.
Q: What can the audience expect from the performance?
A: Wow that is a difficult question to answer. It is a comedy show, so hopefully people will get a laugh. I don’t know. I always get asked that question, but it is so subjective. I just love how people can come in and take an hour or an hour and a half off from their lives and laugh the whole time and have a good time. That is always my goal.
Q: Have you had any moments on the road that really stand out?
A: When I first started out I did a lot of college shows. Once at a college in Peoria, Illinois, I was performing in a cafeteria and a group of frat boys were, well being a—holes, and one didn’t like that I kept putting him in his place and he threw an onion ring at me. That was pretty funny. It wasn’t funny then, but looking back it is. But over all I have had wonderful experiences, but that is definitely one of the most ridiculous moments I have experienced.
Q: Are you working on any projects right now?
A: I am writing a lot. I have a new podcast that I started six months ago, it is called “Sports Without Balls.” I really love sports, so I sit down with a player, a coach or a bunch of female comics and talk about sports and current events. I am trying to take that and develop it into a TV show at some point in time. That is my new little passion project. It is for free to download on ITunes.
Q: Have you performed in Tampa before?
A: I actually have never performed in Tampa. My parents live about an hour south and I always go down in March for my mom’s birthday. We’re huge basketball fans and we do the whole March Madness thing. So I thought since I am coming down here, I should do a show. I really like Florida and enjoy the visits. I am really excited about my first time in Tampa.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being on the road?
A: I think it is meeting people. I really love meeting people and explore different cities. You have to love to travel as a comedian, because it is such a huge aspect of stand-up. It is un-predictable. It’s a live show, anything can happen. And I love that.