Meet Allison Goldberg | Creator & Comedian

We had the good fortune of connecting with Allison Goldberg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allison, how do you think about risk?
I think pursuing a career in the arts is so risky that you can’t even think about it that way. It’s not risk; it’s a lifestyle. When I register that I feel nervous or fearful about, for instance, a new show, I literally ignore it. Bottle it up, that’s what I always say! But in all seriousness, risk is essential to creating something that didn’t exist before, so you do have to ignore that element to some extent.

I think the pandemic also had a weird, small silver lining for artists; we saw the rug get pulled out from underneath our peers with “normal”, stable jobs, too. Suddenly, our lifestyle didn’t seem so insane anymore; we were the ones prepared for the uncertainty.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
My path has definitely been a bit circuitous; I might have “shiny object” syndrome. But I’d say the thread has always been that I love creating experiences out of nothing, and I love bringing people together. I’m also fascinated by how technology has both pulled us together and torn us apart, as well as how it has – from a basic theater-dork perspective – utterly changed the way stories are told. And finally, I think humor is one of the most impactful tools we have, especially as the world becomes increasingly dark and polarized.

I’m most excited about two somewhat conflicting projects. (One’s about dating, the other about breaking up.) First and foremost, in the post-pandemic world, I was eager to create something that brought people together, and so I launched a show called Love Isn’t Blind. It’s an elimination-style, comedy/dating game show with a feminist twist – the men can’t speak. Instead, I call the guys’ moms live on stage, have them write haikus, and much more. It’s honestly a riot – shout out to all the men who have participated already!

While it might sound a bit scary, I very intentionally create a space of absurdity and joy. I make the audience go nuts when a man is eliminated, and I have a prize and a drink waiting for him. Something silly happens if a man accidentally speaks. There are also opportunities for audience members to mingle, and we have a resident “wingperson” there who is literally wearing wings.

One of my favorite parts is how I can’t get audiences to leave the venue after the show. Instead, everyone is chatting, exchanging numbers, and so on. I’m trying to track not just relationships and hook-ups that come out of the show, but friendships, too. I’m doing the show monthly, so any brave single men (and women) reading this: Sign up to be a contestant at loveisntblind.co! (LGBT version coming soon.)

And on the flipside of that, a live show that I created about break-up texts is now becoming a podcast produced by SB Projects and OBB Sound. In that show, celebrities perform your break-up texts, and then an expert joins us as we break down your break up. You can submit your screenshots at howtobreakupbytext.com. So far, my guests have included Margaret Cho, Bobby Moynihan, Veep co-stars Matt Walsh and Tim Simons, and many other talented and wonderful humans.

Which brings me perhaps to the final part of your question, which is lessons learned. It’s cliche, but confidence is key and I’m still working on it. I have raging imposter syndrome and it does not serve me. I’m a terrible Californian in that I don’t believe in manifestation (!), but I do think that confidence makes you go after things harder instead of shying away from them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I consider myself a recovering New Yorker, so when east coasters come to visit, I show them as much beach, sunshine, and hiking as possible, and I usually take them to Huntington Gardens or the LA Arboretum for a day. My friend group also knows that I’m big on unique or unusual experiences. So I’m unlikely to take you to an established venue, and much more likely to take you to a weird backyard comedy show or to see a performer that you’ve never heard of but that I’m obsessed with.

If you want to talk specifics, Boobie Trap is one of my favorite shows in LA, I’m loving my new venue The Crow in Santa Monica, and I’m always checking local listings for events and conferences. I’ve been to a furry con, a reptile convention, and Ru Paul’s DragCon, because you only live once and why not?

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The short answer is friends friends friends. I have a great crew of ladies here in LA and they’re constantly letting me bounce ideas off of them and supporting my shows. I’ve got a guy friend in New York that leaves me audio note pep talks, another friend who sent me an amazing good luck package in advance of some major meetings; the list goes on. Now you’re making me feel badly that I can’t shout them all out. My Jewish guilt has been kicked into high gear!

I also think fellow artists who can be accountabilibuddies is vital. I love coworking with other creatives. If you’re a friend of mine reading this, thanks!

Website: allisongoldberg.com

Instagram: @alli_goldi

Twitter: @alli_goldi

Other: I’m most active on TikTok: @alli_goldi

Image Credits
Headshots: Lindsay May Cook. Stage photos: Connor Linnerooth, with three exceptions: The close-up of me in the blue/purple outfit is by Ranjodh Mathial. The one with the purple curtain behind me was taken by Evan Mueller. The one with the projection behind me was taken by Daniel Brothers. Thank you.