We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Courtney Cronin [Dold] a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Courtney, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
As a comedy person it’s not possible to churn out “ha” twenty four seven. There are some days when you just don’t feel funny at all. But you have to put something down on the page. Even if it sucks, even if it’s not funny at all, even if it it seems like it’s from the The Shining, just put it down. Once in a while, something comes from nothing. For most of my stand-up gigs I try to come up with at least five new jokes about the environment or a recent event. Between writing jobs, I pick a famous person and try to write a page of jokes in their voice like in an SNL monologue. I save them in my giant joke file. They always, always, come in handy down the road. I repurpose my own punchlines all the time. Please don’t tell anyone.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I always knew I wanted to be funny but wasn’t sure how. I started with acting and then working behind the scenes, but found my feet in stand up and writing for other comedians. I seem to have found this happy medium between performing and writing that, after 28 years in this crazy biz, finally works for me. I work mostly in “unscripted” even though. it’s totally scripted. Like host copy for game shows and clip shows, hidden camera, and talk shows. Since 2002 I’ve worked on over 45 series and pilots.
The most exciting part about my job is working with people I admire. There have been a lot from producers to talent, but writing jokes and song parodies for Wayne Brady, host copy for Wink Martindale, and Donald Faison are definitely career highlights. And most recently for comedian Michael Yo for a new comedy food/travel show called, “1000 Ways to Dine” on A&E.
I love writing for comics so much, it almost doesn’t feel like work sometimes. Whether it’s working with new comedians on material to get started or hired by a pro to create material for a roast or corporate event, and of course for the hosts on the shows I work on. I’m always learning, that part never ends.
My true true passion is my stand up show that features rock stars doing comedy for the first time called, Punchlines and Backlines. It’s the first and only show of its show of its kind and we have so much fun doing it. Since 2019 it has been featured at numerous rock events and comedy clubs and is a regular fixture on the Monsters of Rock Cruise, where I also work as a host. It’s by far my favorite gig. You can find photos and credits of all our musician guests on our social pages, and a comedy special is in the works for this winter.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
It would be so nice if we could learn lessons without making the mistakes. It’s nice when someone else made them first, then warns you mercilessly about what not to do. It’s up to us to listen. I wish I had proactively taken advice when I was 24 and thought I knew everything. Like, I was always afraid to reach out to people and remind them that I exist! People forget you’re there, especially in this town, and they’re super focused on their own stuff. So, tap them on the shoulder with a text, email, or call to say, “Hi there! Remember me? Here’s what I’ve been up to…etc.” Also…if you can’t find the work, create it for yourself. That’s easier said than done but if you’re not pro-active then nothing is going to happen. Be pleasant to work with. No one wants to work with an asshole. Even though oddly it seems so many people working in and around showbiz are assholes, still…don’t be them. Be you, be cool, and be on time. If you can exceed people’s expectations of you that’s always a plus.
And one more thing, if you have to tell people how great you are…you’re probably not. Never’t tell people, “I’m a great comedy writer, or I’m so funny, I’m a great comedian.” You’re SUPPOSED to be a great writer and you’re SUPPOSED to be funny. Otherwise you wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, be working as one. If you really are all those things, it will be obvious and impossible to miss.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
Oh yes, many! It’s unfortunate that it was easier to land TV writing jobs twenty years ago when I was new and still learning the ropes. Now that I know how to swing from those ropes, balancing a tray of champagne glasses on my head, I actually have to hustle ten times as hard. “Fifty” and “female” do not have be F words when it comes to working in comedy. There’s more work for us than ever before. There’s a place for all of us in the business and an audience for every kind of comedian and comedy writer. The great part about knowing who you are, along with your strengths and weaknesses, is where to direct your energy. My career as a writer/producer has gone from MTV to Lifetime TV and stand-up from colleges and nightclubs, to cruise-ships and corporates. And I feel right at home.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.courtneycronindold.com
- Instagram: @courtcrodold
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtney.dold.3/
Image Credits
Bobby Dreher Rayna Leigh Mark Fullerton
