Episode 21: Yamaneika
This week, Masavia and Mike chat with the hilarious Yamaneika Saunders, one of the hottest stand-up comics in New York City, and a rising star of the comedy business. Yamaneika was recently featured on Crashing and That Damn Michael Che on HBO, Flatbush Misdemeanors on Showtime, Comedy Central's Broad City, Inside Amy Schumer, and so much more. You can also find her comedy specials on Comedy Central and Netflix.
We discuss Yamaneika’s early days as an entertainer and how she went from classically-trained theater actor, to reluctantly trying her hand at stand-up after some prompting from her mother.
How a very young Yamaneika quickly graduated from doing stand-up classes at The Comedy Store, to participating in their lottery on Sundays, and very soon after moving to NYC and performing for audiences.
Some of the tough days that followed, including dealing with homelessness, calling it quits on comedy, and inevitably, always finding her way back.
She discusses the differences between the limited roles available to her in the realm of theater at the time, VS the range presented by stand-up comedy.
On being booed on Showtime at the Appolo, and other stage stories.
Yamaneika’s take on the current opportunities for black female comedians, and how the landscape has evolved.
On finding your voice, not being limited by “the set,” and being flexible enough to move forward and let your life experiences inform your act.
How Yamaneika writes on the “back end,” working it out on stage, stretching the imagination and circumstances of her storytelling while also being aware of audience responses as she develops new material.
And more!
Yamaneika
Instagram @yamaneika
Twitter @yamaneika
YouTube youtube.com/c/Yamaneika
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