How To: Reintegrate Into Society After Doing the Comedy Thing

By Contributor Maggie Maye


After taking a year off to focus on comedy (i.e. after not being able to find a job for a year), I've officially suited up and rejoined the workforce. It's been a bit of an adjustment, to say the least. The following is my experience so far. This shouldn't be taken as a decision map; if you get offered a job, by all means take it before they realize you're a comic and horribly unqualified for the position. I'm still crossing my fingers to make it past the 3-month probationary period.

Pro: Money, obviously.
Con: I work in sales, so that money doesn't come without a hustle. Additionally, since I have to talk to clients all day, I don't have time to look at cat videos on YouTube like everyone else does at their day job. As a side note, if you or any of your friends want to get your business on the front page of a search engine, hit me up. I can help. I work for the industry leader in search engine optimization and I'll hook you up with my discount (end shameless promotion).

Pro: I have to be more responsible. Since I have to fit more into my day, I have to make sure I'm not wasting a ton of time during the day. Also, since I'm working so hard for this job, I feel guilty unless I'm putting in the same effort for comedy.
Con: That responsibility hasn't exactly permeated every area of my life. Today, I had pretty much run out of deodorant, so I scraped the last remnants out of the container and rubbed it on my armpits like it was lotion. My pits still smell shower fresh, but so do my finger nails.

Pro: It's a full-time, 8-5 job, so I am awake way more.
Con: I'm awake way more.

Con: Since I spend 8-10 hours here, it cuts down on my writing time.
Less of a con: When I wasn't working, I wasn't writing for 8-10 hours. So, technically, this job is cutting into my Roseanne reruns and Cheeto-eating time. So I have to train my mind to make time to write. I write during my lunch hour and will jot down things as they come to me during the day. And they have Cheetos in the vending machine, so I'm good.

Pro: There are a bunch of people here, which is cool. It's an untapped resource of new people to invite to shows.
Con: If they go and talk during the whole thing, you'll have to answer to the other comics about why your work friends can't behave.
Other Pro: For the most part, they'll behave and be really nice. Nice enough that you'll happily agree to perform at their barbecue this weekend.
Another con: You'll end up performing at a barbecue.
Better pro: They'll probably let you eat some of the barbecue. And it's going to be delicious.

Maggie Maye. Photo Credit: Dustin Ashcraft

Maggie Maye has always had a knack for making people laugh. From her first time on stage, she knew she loved stand up even more than she loved candy. Well, actually, it’s a tie, but still, that’s a whole lot.
Maggie has been called "one of the hottest up and coming comics in Austin." She's been a finalist in the Funniest Person in Austin contest and was featured in Austin Monthly magazine. I'll bet you can probably guess where this broad lives. She's also been a featured performer at Fun Fun Fun Fest, Art Outside, the Out of Bounds Comedy Festival, and the Ladies are Funny Festival.
She has had the opportunity to work with some comedic badasses, such as Pablo Francisco, Felicia Michaels, and the legendary Paul Mooney, who not only told her she was funny, but gave her the nickname "Black Barbie." Also, this 6-year-old once told her she was the funniest person ever. So she also has that going for her.
If you see her perform, expect for Maggie to use her charm, wit and backhanded form of observational humor to make you laugh and think.