If you’ve seen any of our #TTComedyMonth videos, images, ads, etc you might be wondering — who are these faces I’m seeing all around? They’re comedians, actors, artists, and creators. We’ll let them tell you a little more about themselves, in their own words. Read on to meet the faces of Comedy Month.

Starr Kirkland

So, tell us about yourself!

I’m an actor, poet, and mover. I love being upside down. I just think the world makes more sense that way. Don’t give me an open space, because I’ll play in it! What’s close to my heart, and was the gateway to acting for me, is that I love working with youth. I am determined to foster a creative, open, intellectual environment for young people to express themselves. I’m lucky, because I work with several programs that allow me to do just that.

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Favorite TV show: Currently, I’m loving “Insecure.”

Favorite apps: I just downloaded Depop, I love to DuoLingo at 3am when I’m the only one awake, and TodayTix. I’m not trying to be cute; theater is expensive, and I never have time to stand in a rush line.

What artists and entertainers inspire you?

I’m inspired by a lot of the people I get to work with, and plenty I get to watch from afar. I think I would grow exponentially if I ever had the chance to work with Suzan Lori-Parks and/or Lynn Nottage on one of their plays. Recently, I was talking about Viola Davis. She’s talented and wonderful in every way, but on top of that, and it may seem silly to some, I love her arms. Representation is so, so important. I see my arms in those arms, dark and etched with stretchies. Since we’re talking comedy, I must mention that Richard Pryor is one of my comedy heroes. I actually wrote a one- person show based on how comedy has saved my life.

What makes you laugh? I will always laugh at a fart/poop joke, because you have to retain some of that inner 7 year old, and I’m a very silly human. Some of the best comedy I’ve experienced was in the living room filled with my parents and siblings. Truly, I have laughed through some of the hardest moments of my life.

What are you up to right now and how can folks learn more about you? I’m finishing up a run of The Tempest with The Glass Eye in NY and Connecticut, then I’m working on a few small, lovely projects, and getting ready to film! I’m really grateful that, as my friends say, I am always busy. I have a loving, strong community in NY. If you want to stay up to date with what I’m getting into, check out www.starrkirkland.com

Robert Dowling

So, tell us about yourself!

My name is Robert Dowling, and I am an artist and performer in New York currently working on short-form video, live performance, new media, and photography, all through a creative non-fiction lens. In 2015, my writing partner and I released a collection of short-form videos about ourselves in a heightened version of our day-to-day lives (www.videopalace.info). Over the last year, I have focused mainly on self-portrait photography as a vehicle to combat the embarrassment of coping with trauma and mental illness, and to imitate confidence and power as a form of healing: a sort of study on the benefits and limits of the “fake it ’til you make it” approach. Included in this study, I have branched out into makeup art, clothes-making, drag, and installation art. In March of this year, I started an Instagram-based project (@slut4art), which is an ongoing exercise in exposing myself to more art, re-contextualizing classical painting, and making people laugh. I really like to make people laugh.

Hometown: San Diego, California

Favorite TV show: “30 Rock”

Favorite apps: Instagram, Angry Birds 2, Word Streak, NYTimes, Duolingo

What artists and entertainers inspire you? Jim Henson, Cindy Sherman, Sarah Silverman, Helena Almeida

What makes you laugh? The Great Muppet Caper

What are you up to right now and how can folks learn more about you? Check out @slut4art!, and one video for the road: https://vimeo.com/123974456

Vince Chang

So, tell us about yourself!

Jamaican/Chinese heritage. Middle child. I’m also an uncle who loves cooking, fishing, and anime. I listen to all types of music. And, oh yeah, I’m in love with comedy.

Hometown: Baldwin, Long Island, and Harlem, NY.

Favorite TV show: “House”

Favorite apps: Instagram, TodayTix ;), Netflix and Gett/Juno

What artists and entertainers inspire you? Robin Williams, Bernie Mac, Eddie Murphy, Ryan Reynolds, and Vince Vaughn

What makes you laugh? Any and everything. If it’s funny, it’s funny.

What are you up to right now and how can folks learn more about you?
I perform at Dangerfield’s Comedy Club every Monday and Tuesday at 8:30 pm and Broadway Comedy Club every Thursday and Friday at 9pm with a comedy group I co-founded with fellow comedian David Suarez called the New Comic All Stars. Also, I’m a co-host of a college basketball comedy podcast that you can listen to on iTunes called “BackCourt Violation” with fellow comedian Sam Mushman. Lastly, I’m working on an anime series with another entertainer, Elliot “Lee” Cowart, called “5 Boros.” You can see some work on my Instagram, along with my upcoming shows and events.

Lio Mehiel

So, tell us about yourself!

I am a genderqueer actor, filmmaker, and experience designer living in Ridgewood, New York — just on the border of Bushwick.

Hometown: Between Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico and Chelsea, NY. I grew up in both places.

Favorite TV Show: “The Handmaid’s Tale,” but also “The Office” and “Louie.”

Favorite apps: Podcast apps, but also Spotify, Snapchat, and Depop for addictive shopping.

What artists and entertainers inspire you? Marin Ireland is one of my favorite stage actresses, along with NYC actress Susannah Flood. Simon Stephens is one of my favorite playwrights, along with Sarah Kane and Tracy Letts. And of course Ivo van Hove is amazing.

What makes you laugh? “The Office” definitely makes me laugh. Louie C.K., too. Little kids being flabbergasted makes me laugh. People really having a moment in public space makes me laugh – so like someone on the subway dancing or singing along to what they’re listening to in their headphones.

What are you up to right now and how can folks learn more about you? Check out my Instagram and website to check out my upcoming work! I’ll also be submitting my short film, disforia, to festivals beginning in September

Nicky Sunshine

So, tell us about yourself!

I’m an actress, stand up comic, producer, improv artist, and writer. I’ve produced many comedy shows at venues like Carolines, Stand Up NY, Greenwich Village Comedy Club, Eastville Comedy Club, Funnybone, and Broadway Comedy Club. I speak fluent Spanish and fluent German.

Hometown: Falls Church, VA

Favorite TV Show: “Martin”

Favorite apps: Yelp, Waze, Amazon, Instagram, PicStitch

What artists and entertainers inspire you? Joan Rivers, Beyoncé, Marc Anthony

What makes you laugh? Physical comedy makes me laugh!

What are you up to right now and how can folks learn more about you? I’ll be performing my one woman show “Confessions of a Massage Parlor Madam” at Broadway Comedy Club on Sept 16 and 17 at 4pm. You can learn more about me here. You can also check me out on Twitter or Instagram.

Betsey Brown

So, tell us about yourself!

I’m an actor and filmmaker. You can see me in upcoming films, The Pervert (co-directed by Nathan Silver and Jack Dunphy), Feed (directed by Tommy Bertelsen), and Fingerilla (directed by Micah Vassau). My directorial debut short film, shegetsey betsey, was shown at the New Orleans Film Festival in 2015. I’m a graduate of University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Hometown: New York City!

Favorite TV show: “Horace and Pete” or anything Louie

Favorite apps: Instagram and now TodayTix!

What artists and entertainers inspire you? Jane Campion, Louis CK, Carol Kane, and more depending on day 🙂

What makes you laugh? Some close friends have told me they like to hang out with me because I’m an easy
audience…it’s not hard to make me laugh!

What are you up to right now and how can folks learn more about you? Follow me on Instagram to see what I’m up to!

Be sure to check out some comedy this month and visit www.todaytix.com/comedy to learn more!

Betsey Brown

Meet the Faces of #TTComedyMonth