Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mistress K. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Mistress , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
The road to my self discover wasn’t a clear path. I come from humble beginnings and from an early age my father instilled in me to work hard early on in life so later you can enjoy the party. My father was a construction worker working long days on massive structures all over the Massachusetts region. He would say this is ‘back breaking work’ so pick a career that works with your brain not your hands. That always stuck with me.
Growing up I knew I wanted to help people. I went to school for psychology and then went back to school to be a nurse. After working in health care I realized the politics of the system and the amount of red tape from health care administrations I felt like I wasn’t really helping people. I had a hospice patient who was a quadriplegic and working nights he was up most of the night watching movies. Many of nights I would go into his room and make jokes and tell him stories to uplift his melancholy. He would say all the time “you’re so funny” and this was something I was told my whole life growing up, by friends, family and even strangers.. We had many talks about death and regretting decisions he had made in life and how important it is to live life to its fullest potential. After he died I really sat with myself and thought…Do I really like my career, is this my purpose, is this it?
The answer was no…I decided to quit my job in Massachusetts and move to California to try and tell jokes for a living. At the age of 31 I quit my stable job, left all my friends and family I knew, and everything that was familiar. Shortly, after I moved to California living on my sisters couch, I did my first ever 5 minute comedy set on the stage at The Ice House in Pasadena California. It was the first time ever performing comedy on a comedy stage in front of an audience and I “killed.” Those short 5 minutes were life changing, I was hooked. It was finally the ah-ha moment in my life I was waiting for. It made it even sweeter after the show coming off the stage on a high feeling that life couldn’t get any better, I had the club bouncer come up to me and say “that was hilarious.’ From then on I knew my purpose in life was to entertain random strangers and I have been doing it ever since for the last 7 years. I am the happiest I have ever been and it was the best decision I ever made.
When I think back about it over the course of my life, I remember I used to put on shows for my parents and grandparents weekly. My father would record them on his VHS camcorder. My mom would announce me and I would come down my stairs with a crazy outfit and a purple rocker mullet wig, lip syncing and dancing to Madonna and various other artists. I had to be all of 4 or 5 years old at the time…Now at age 38 I am wearing rocker purple wigs, crazy outfits, and even a mullet wig as I lip sync to other music as my Drag King self. Which just goes to show you, that I knew at 5 I was supposed to be an entertainer and always knew this is my purpose.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I started my business and brand The Future Is Female Comedy Show back in 2020 out of necessity. I’m a female comedian in a male dominated field and a sex worker to boot. Plus, I am a Drag King. It was extremely challenging for me to be book for comedy and drag shows. It’s not surprising that the gatekeepers to the entertainment realm are men. I wasn’t seeing myself or my community represented in most of the comedy shows I was on or in the scene.
SO I thought to myself, if you can’t join them, beat them at their own game. I did just that. I was tired of being the token womxn on an otherwise all male lineup and not seeing diversity and queer people on stages. In Los Angeles, on November 5, 2020, I produced the first ever The Future Is Female Comedy Show with a hilarious all womxn line-up, providing comic relief during the height of the Global Pandemic. The outpouring of support and demand for another show proved the world needs more female produced, female supported and female uplifting comedy. We are now living in that feminist future.
I have been in business going on four years. I have built a platform and a community of feminist comedy, an inclusive team of talented performers. To not just build myself up, but to see others who I admire and deserve a safe place to perform, where their talent is valued. The Future Is Female Comedy Show is a platform for empowerment and equity within the comedy community. We showcase talented up-and-coming comedians, amplifying the voices of womxn, non-binary, queer, black, indigenous, and people of color from all over the US. Our feminist comedy shows bring diverse perspectives and line-ups. Shattering the glass ceiling one comedy show at a time!
I have produced over 400+ shows throughout Southern California, New York, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Arizona, and Wisconsin. From international zoom shows to local live shows, to cross-country tours and festivals, I have showcased, promoted, and paid talented comedians, clowns, drag performers, dancers, and musicians.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
There are several impacts that have been made over the course of my journey. The biggest one being a female in a male dominated field and having to deal with gate keepers, I had to believe in myself first! I am someone of integrity and I wasn’t willing to compromise my morals for opportunities within the entertainment industry. I know that being a woman who is self aware and knows my worth has made a huge impact on my business. I have done the work and continue to out work and out hustle 99 percent of entertainers I meet. It’s because I know exactly what I want for myself and I am determine. Pay me my money! I know the value I bring to any table, any venue, any show, and I know when to say NO.
Secondly, the ability to work with others is essential. The whole idea behind my brand and company The Future Is Female Comedy Show was to put up unrepresented talent. Artists that the main stream media weren’t celebrating. Throughout my 4 years of producing shows I have created a community of talented individuals whom have networked throughout cities and states. This network has given a wealth opportunities to deserving artists, mostly womxn, queer, and BIPOC artists. Diversity in shows was and is our hook. It has been proven time and time again that we can accomplish more collectively together than just on our own. I am very much a person who enjoys to collaborate with others and recommend others for projects. It helps me in the long run to help others win, share resources, and support others. “Empowering others doesn’t come from selfishness, but rather from selflessness.’
Lastly, I have always had the innate ability to command a room. I’ve been told several times by peers and mentors that I have a light that shines so bright it makes it impossible for people to not be attracted to it. Just call me a beacon…lol. I try to be the example I want to see as an entertainer. I always want to be inviting, humble, and create safe spaces for all. This is what I do best, I go in an dominate and make people listen and enjoy themselves. It’s a skill I have and I use daily. I also know how powerful it is and know it’s worth, so I am cautious of who and what projects I shine it on.
The best advice I can give to anyone staring a business or a new career, is to find your voice. Listen to yourself and stay true to your message. Trust that internal voice, it will never steer you wrong. Take that risk, make that deal, set that goal and just do it!
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The old saying…I’m a starving artist. Is alive and well. Just recently the actors strike happened due to unfair wages and now with the technology, AI taking over jobs, it is now more than ever difficult to make a stable career.
What most people don’t know is that entertainers are rarely paid for their talents. Especially, in markets like California or New York where people are trying to “make it.” A lot of artists are will to do things for free for the clout or exposure. As we know those don’t pay the bills. Additionally, clubs and venues give away complimentary tickets to fill the rooms. Which if I as the artist are making money off the tickets I am selling, I can have a packed sold out show, but when it comes to getting paid for my efforts most of the time my check is missing some zeros. I can work my ovaries off and sometimes the pay off monetarily doesn’t reflect my effort, skill, and talent.
The number on obstacle I have as an entertainer is building a fan based. A fan base that will keep coming out to see me perform and the shows I produce. Unfortunately, the average comedy goer only goes to one comedy show every 6 months if that. So I am constantly having to get a new influx of fans for every show. Building a fan base is a daily challenge. Social media makes it easier to reach people online, however it is a double edge sword. People are flood and initiated with content so it can be difficult and challenging to reach my fan base. As a geriatric millennial I have a love/hate relationship with social media. So I am constantly trying to learn more about the algorithms and how to use the latest technology to reach my potential customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fifcomedyshow.com
- Instagram: @mistresskcomedy @fifcomedyshow @klitusblack
- Facebook: MK Fox, The Future Is Female Comedy Show
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0RGGVYuPfrDARpz3RoFIEQ
- Other: TikTok @themistressk @klitusblack @fifcomedyshow https://solo.to/mistressk
Image Credits
Steve Henry Zulma Aguiar
