Alex Kumin: Stand-up Comic Superhero!
By Rebecca Gerstung
Able to fight the patriarchy with a single joke, Alex Kumin uses her wry brand of comedy for good, not evil (not every comic can claim the same). While making her own comedic dreams come true performing around town, she supports other wisecrackers by leading Feminine Comique, Chicago’s premiere all-female stand-up class, as well as featuring the brightest talent in the city (who just happen to be female) at her monthly showcase “Jokesplaining” at Laugh Factory. We talk to Chicago comedy’s own wonder woman.
Women in Comedy: What first led you to comedy?
Alex Kumin: I have been doing stand-up for almost 5 years, and did improv for a couple of years before that. I started when my friend Julia Shiplett (now a NY-based comedy dynamo) suggested I take a class through The Lincoln Lodge, and haven’t looked back since. My brand of comedy is observational (duh) with a lot of emphasis on my experience as a woman.
Women in Comedy: What’s your role at Feminine Comique?
Alex Kumin: I have been the lead instructor at Fem Com for the last two years, having taken over for the wonderful Kelsie Huff, who took over when the founder, Cameron Esposito, gave it to her. Fem Com is a fundamentals course in stand-up comedy, meant to give students a toolkit that they can use however they want in their own comedy career and beyond. The point of the class isn’t to “teach someone how to be funny”, but rather to give participants a structure and the tools for writing jokes, and a space to try those jokes out that looks different than a lot of the open mics in Chicago. At the end of the course, students showcase their five minute sets for family and friends, which is always an incredible experience. I think one of my favorite parts of teaching is seeing the transformation in confidence that takes place in students over the duration of the class. Cameron and Kelsie created something really amazing that is unique in Chicago, a space specifically for women to share their comedy and stories, and it has been a total privilege to teach the class.
Women in Comedy: How has teaching comedy — to women, in particular — enhanced your own comedy?
Alex Kumin: Teaching Fem Com has really taught me to apply the advice I give to students to myself! I think it’s very easy to get in your head when you do stand-up (or any kind of creative work), and as women we grow up with the additional societal pressure to put our needs second, be seen and not heard, and listen to the ever-present garbage opinions like “women aren’t funny”. I tell my students to be fearless in writing what they want to write and know that they are allowed to take up space and share their opinions, which is something that I have to remind myself from time to time. I also tell them that the key to comedy is showing up every day — to write, to go to open mics, to see shows, and to not let yourself or any negative thinking get in your own way, which also helps keep me accountable.
Women in Comedy: Tell me about Jokesplaining. What led you to create it?
Alex Kumin: Jokesplaining is a showcase held at Laugh Factory Chicago the last Friday of the month at 10 pm. It features a lineup of the top comics in the city, all of whom happen to be women. It was born from a couple of all-female showcases that were put together at the Laugh Factory after the election in 2016, and I asked the booker, Curtis, if I could continue running those. He and the staff at Laugh Factory have been incredibly supportive of the show and the audience response has been great. It’s not often that a lineup is all female, so it’s been really fun to watch larger audiences (we typically draw 150–200 people each month) react positively to that. I don’t advertise the show as all-female, because up until recently, most comedy shows featured fully male or majority male lineups, but is not advertised as “Gentleman’s Night”. This should be no different. We have such a depth of talent here in the city and it’s a real privilege to be able to showcase women specifically at a club like Laugh Factory.
Women in Comedy: What’s your favorite open mic for women?
Alex Kumin: I have always loved Logan Theater Mic with Lia Berman (for everyone!). It was one of my favorite places when I started, and continues to be a casual, intimate and warm room. Also, Cole’s micon Wednesday, but I’m biased because I co-host it with Sarah Sherman!
Women in Comedy: What would be your advice for female comics starting out?
Alex Kumin: Go out to mics as much as possible, and if you need an accountability partner, find one! Find many! It can be tough the first few months, but that’s just stand-up in general. Chicago is so rich with comedy opportunities, and the more you do, the easier it gets. A new comic who really wants to take this seriously should be out every night!
Women in Comedy: How have you used comedy to better the world?
Alex Kumin: Fem Com and Jokesplaining have been really great ways to help create more spaces for women in the comedy scene, thus creating more spaces for women to share their stories which is a powerful driver for change. I also try to use comedy when I can to help out causes in a non-traditional way. I recently performed at a fundraiser show for Marie Newman, an incredible congressional candidate running for office in the 3rd District. It was really wonderful to be able to get involved politically by donating time and services rather than donating money (which is also very helpful, but hello, comedian). I think comedy can be a really great way to put issues/candidates/causes in the spotlight, it’s enjoyable for the audience, and raises consciousness and funds in a unique way.
Comedy is also a powerful tool to discuss taboo or tough topics, because you’re reframing those things and delivering them to audiences in joke form. I worked in sexual violence prevention for seven years, and I’ve found that when I talk about rape culture or harassment at a comedy show, it’s easier for people to hear it and think about it rather than shut down because they’ve been disarmed with laughter first.
Catch Jokesplaining the last Friday of every month at Laugh Factory.
