Written by: Joseph Santiago
We met up with Comedian Meghan Hanley at the New York Comedy Club in the East Village right before her show to discuss all things stand up comedy.
How did you know you wanted to be a comedian?
When I was in high school Seinfeld was huge, so I used to tell people that I was going to have my own show called “MegFeld,” I was only half kidding. I didn’t know that I wanted to do stand-up till a few years later, but I knew I wanted to be in the business of comedy. I wanted to be on stage performing, but I couldn’t sing. I wanted to work in television and film, but I had no idea how to do that. I come from a family of Civil Servants. People who dedicate their lives to helping others. The idea of being an actress sounded so selfish and considering I had no experience or knowledge of the business it didn’t seem like something I could say I wanted to go to college for. But during this time I did start writing. I would send out mass emails entitled, “My random thoughts and shit.” I’d pick a topic and write about it. I thankfully don’t think I have copies of any of it. Then one day while I was attending Fordham University in the Bronx. I was watching a VH1 behind the music on Adam Sandler and he talked about doing stand-up while at NYU. I figured, “OK, I’m in the city, what am I waiting for.” I went up to a guy in the Village who was selling comedy club tickets and asked if the club had classes. He said “Yes.” I called the number and began taking weekly classes at oldNew York Comedy Club.
1. What other jobs did you do before starting stand up comedy?
I started stand-up @ 16 so not much. I worked as a receptionist at my parents animal hospital for years. Was a waitress, a temp at a million places and my last day job I babysat part-time.
2. How did you know you wanted to be a comedian?
Nothing else made me nearly as happy and it was the only thing I work hard on and cared about. I thought I was lazy before stand-up but I just didn’t care about anything as much.
