Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Holliday.
Hi Amanda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My name is Amanda Holliday, and I’m the producer for Don’t Tell Comedy in Austin. I go around and find weird, unique, or interesting spaces in Austin and turn them into standup comedy clubs for the night.
I’m originally from the outskirts of Washington, DC. I’ve been in love with comedy since I was a kid. I moved to LA when I was 18 and took sketch writing & improv classes at Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. I was pretty awkward and shy, so performing was hard for me. I started learning the business side of the industry by interning at a talent management company. I eventually got really into stand-up by watching all my favorite comedians performing around town in LA. I decided to move to New York City to pursue stand-up. I was still pretty young, awkward, and shy. Going on stage was hard, and I would get way too anxious beforehand. I started bartending around NYC, and that really helped my social skills develop.
Once COVID hit, I lost my job bartending, so I moved back home to DC and used that time to learn how to code. Being such a comedy fan, I built this amateur app/project in my coding class that showed where all the comedy shows were happening around the world based on your location. I then decided to move to Austin because it was affordable, and comedy/tech was moving there, so I thought I would give it a shot.
I found out about Don’t Tell Comedy when I was looking into producing jobs. I was working in tech at a production company here in Austin (Rooster Teeth) and wanted to learn how to be a producer. I got excited when I found them because their company was literally almost the same concept as the comedy app I build in coding school. I emailed them and eventually showed up at a show and introduced myself, and here we are.
I’ve been working with Don’t Tell Comedy for a little over a year now. It’s so much fun. I get to meet the funniest, coolest people and put on the best shows. Comedy in Austin has been BLOWING UP, and it’s so exciting to see. We get comedians from all over the US come to do shows. It’s literally a dream. I still can’t believe I get to be a part of it.
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?
My biggest obstacle has probably been myself, to be honest. I’ve struggled with social anxiety, and that’s probably the hardest part considering the industry I want to work in is all about making connections. I’ve also struggled with confidence. I’m not great at promoting myself, but I’m learning! This article is a good step, haha.
There’s still so much to learn. I always thought I had to like build a wild portfolio of technical skills and projects in order to be accepted into comedy. It turns out most of it is just being social. I’m getting there!
Thankfully, my show host Hunter Duncan is much more established in the comedy world, so he’s able to book all the hilarious comedians for our shows. Also, our marketing director Jared Olivarez lives in Austin, and he’s been a tremendous help with co-producing whenever I need it.
Oh yeah, and there’s a lot of heavy lifting. Producers have to bring all the chairs, lights, mic, sound, signs, etc to each venue. It’s a lot of work. Sometimes I do it by myself. That part sucks. But it’s worth it in the end.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
You can find all our upcoming shows at www.donttellcomedy.com/cities/austin Come see a show! I put a lot of work into making them really great. I promise you’ll have a wonderful time 🙂
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m surprised I grew to love Austin as much as I do now, and I’m surprised I’m still here! I always thought I had to go back to New York or LA in order to work in comedy, but a lot of that is changing with the social media era of things. Comedy is really thriving in Austin. If you haven’t checked out a show yet, and you live here, you really should! So many funny, ambitious people are here. It’s so cool.
Pricing:
- $25 per ticket
Contact Info:
- Website: www.donttellcomedy.com
- Instagram: @mandaholli, @donttellaustin, @donttellcomedy
- Facebook: facebook.com/mandaa
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandamholliday
Image Credits
Antonio Jimenez
Andres Rodriguez
