Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda French.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started learning more about the problem of human trafficking and then became involved as a volunteer with a couple of organizations, the Poiema Foundation and 4theONE. I served for a time on the board of the C7 Human Trafficking Coalition. I was helping pass out posters of missing children and applied for a private investigator license to help work more hands-on with finding them. I had a desire to help with the education factor and decided to take an improv class at The Comedy Arena in McKinney to help with the public speaking factor. I found that comedy was a great escape from being exposed to so much darkness in the fight against human trafficking. It did also help with my confidence with public speaking.
One night after an improv jam, I had the opportunity to go on stage and just try a little bit of standup comedy, and I was immediately hooked. I signed up for some classes, but then everything shut down because of the pandemic. I did complete a standup class with Dean Lewis on Zoom and eventually had a student showcase at Addison Improv.
I have had the privilege of doing couple comedy fundraiser shows for the Poiema Foundation. I hope to do one for 4theONE in the near future. I haven’t been able to be as active with them because of some health and physical issues, but if my comedy can help spread awareness and help the organizations, I am happy for that.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. There are a lot of opportunities in the DFW area for comedy, but also many comedians competing for the same chances. I deal with chronic health issues that cause much pain and just generally do not feel well ever. It certainly affects my comedy and how much I make it out there to open mics and such. It can affect my performance. About a year ago, I broke my ankle and then re-injured it. Also, found out I had a torn tendon. Because it is my driving foot, it’s challenging getting out there and driving anywhere. I’m still not pain-free after a year. I am pushing through the best I can.
I am a sensitive person, and comedy is full of rejection and failure. It forces growth and takes a bit of strength. But I just love that stage time too much to quit.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a standup comedian. I am also a human trafficking advocate and writer. But comedy has taken center stage the last few years. I got a late start in life with it (I just turned 50), but now I can’t imagine my life without it. I started with improv in 2019 and then in 2020 made the switch to standup comedy. I am still on my journey to grow and be the best comedian that I can be. Even though I’m not fully where I want to be, I think I do receive a certain level of respect for putting myself out there and pursuing my dream. I like that people would never imagine that I would be a standup comedian. I like the element of surprise. I am proud of myself for pushing through. My comedy is personal, and I have a lot of material to pull from in my life. I’m a military veteran, wife, pet mama, former chicken mama, and private investigator among other things.
Today I am doing comedy any chance that I can. I just want to make people laugh. I have produced and co-produced shows to keep me in the game. One of my favorites is a smart comedy show called the Four-Eyed Comedy Showcase performed at the Plano House of Comedy.
I am serious about comedy and really like the chance to use it to give back to my community. I have been blessed to work with some amazing comedians and I want to do more comedy fundraisers. I am always happy to do comedy for a cause.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I’m really not sure the best way to answer that one. I think the world really needs laughter and so I would hope there is always going to be a market for comedians.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amandafrenchcomedy.net/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/amandafrenchcomedy
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/amandafrenchcomedy
Image Credits
Sam Brand
Jubei Mercado
Arnulfo Diaz
