It’s a hard knock life for women in the comedy world. Take last year’s Bridemaids, which “finally” showed the world that women could be as rauchy and hilarious as men. It goes without saying that the comedy world is a boy’s club, and it’s no different here at Emerson.
Or is it?
There’s Quinn Marcus, who we spoke to last year about making strides in the comedy world here at Emerson, and plenty of other funny gals making their mark in comedy troupes and theater shows. So what does it take to get noticed around here?
Maggie Monahan, a junior Writing for Film & TV major, is one of three girls in Chocolate Cake City, as well as one-half of the writing duo behind this year’s upcoming Evvy Awards. We sat down with her to chat about the comedy world here at Emerson, and how its shaping her future as a comedy writer.
Her Campus Emerson: You’re in Chocolate Cake City; Did you feel it was important (for your future has a writer/comedian/etc) to be in a comedy troupe here at Emerson?
Maggie Monahan: I do think it’s important to get involved in a comedy troupe on campus. Being in a comedy troupe allows you to work creatively with people from all grades and majors outside of class. You make your own rules on what you write and perform. The freedom of doing whatever you want is pretty refreshing. In addition to that, the networking opportunities are really important. All the comedy troupes are either friends because their in comedy troupes, or in comedy troupes because they’re all friends. Some of my best friends are in This is Pathetic and Jimmy’s Travelling All Stars. There are super creative and successful Emerson alumni who’ve all been apart of comedy troupes. You never know who you’ll meet that was in a comedy troupe at Emerson.
HCE: Do you think that women in the Writing for Film & TV major have a tougher time being considered funny?
MM: I think the not funny girls have an especially hard time.
HCE: What was your favorite writing class here at Emerson? Favorite professor?
MM: My current favorite writing class is Writing the Webisodes with Jim Macak. It’s awesome to write something and actually be able to produce it. There are very limited constraints so I’m getting away with writing a webisode call “Gay Fat Camp.” One of the most challenging but rewarding was Hassan Ildari’s Writing the Feature Film.
HCE: What do you hope to do as a career?
MM:I would like to be a staff writer on a sitcom like Parks and Recreation. Hopefully I can work my way up from a writer’s assistant.
Maggie with one of her idols — Amy Poehler!!!
HCE: You’re one of the head writers for the Evvys this year — What was the experience like last year and what do you want to see this year?
MM: Last year I had a great experience on the writing staff. I wrote and collaborated with my fellow writers on a lot of writing that I’m proud of. It was great to learn the production process. We would write, rehearse and the production team would bring it to life. There are few greater experiences than seeing your writing get laughs from the packed Cutler Majestic. Okay, there are greater things, like crepes.
This year I am in a leadership position alongside my broseph and common law husband, Roger Oullette, the other head writer. I expect that my role will involve a lot more organization and working with the executive producers and Kevin Bright.
HCE: How is writing a sketch for CCC different than writing a sitcom or for live television?
MM: Writing a sketch is all about choosing a game for the sketch to depend upon. Finding a great joke to base your sketch off is incredibly satisfying. Writing a sitcom is fun because humor comes from the world and characters you create, not just the jokes.
HCE: Who in the industry do you admire? Why?
MM: I really admire Amy Poehler and Mike Schur, the co-creator of The Office and Parks and Recreation. They are both people who are hilarious and have worked their way to where they are. I have come to the conclusion that I too will have to spend a long time trying to get where I want. From them I’ve learned if you work hard, make friends along the way you can get where you want.