Meet Amanda Deal | Comedian

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

Hi Amanda, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve worked a lot of day jobs. So many customer service roles where I had to be a barbie voiced version of myself to the public.
I hated it so much.
The only thing that kept those jobs fun was shooting the shit with my coworkers. Doing silly voices and characters/impressions.
In school everyone felt awkward and all I wanted to do was break the tension and make my peers laugh. Or at least smile.
As an adult navigating the workforce it felt a lot like that world all over again. So I would do anything in my power to make someone’s day brighter.
Being a student taught me to observe, being a co-worker taught me how to break and relate to people who are overcome with stress, and trauma taught me to laugh through all those horrible situations.
Comedy is the only job they can’t fire me from. It’s ingrained in everything I do.
It’s been a part of my whole life thanks to my hero, my Jido, (grandfather) who can make anyone’s day brighter.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started stand-up March 2012 and improv & sketch comedy writing October 2012.
I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere without women and the LGBTQ community.
My first shows were put on by folks who were anything but the typical straight white male comic.
It was something I recognized later in my career. At the time I was struggling to get into the boys club spaces with little to no avail. Now I know I can do just fine without them. The times they do have me on their shows I’ve completely flipped the “women aren’t funny” troupe on its head.
I’ve opened for old school male comedians who completely bombed after my set.
I’ve had a whole room chant my name during the headliner because they hated his misogynistic jokes.
Not gonna lie, that felt pretty amazing.
Comedy definitely isn’t easy by any means.
But I like to think it’s been more welcoming to people outside the “old school” way of thinking.
Women and queer folks are so funny it’s ridiculous! I will always support my community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There’s a lot of thrift stores, arcade bars, and food carts in Portland so we’d probably start there and find some cool clothes, play some games, and eat delicious foods.
Thrifting is my favorite way to find unique clothes before a show.

For comedy there’s so many cool spots. Too many to list but the two I would highly recommend are also the two spots I used to host open mics for: Haymaker in north Portland and Underbar in downtown Vancouver, WA.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Sito and Jido (grandma and grandpa) have been huge supporters of my comedy.
Before Sito passed I remember them visiting me in Chicago when I was only a few years into stand-up.
The universe and stars aligned because everywhere we went people recognized me!! They must have thought I was a local celebrity. It was hilarious. That literally never happened again!
They supported me in everything I’ve done and their daughter, my Mom: Katherine has been my biggest cheerleader my whole life.
I love laughing with her and my Jido.
They’re phenomenal folks.
I owe a lot to the love and support of my family.

Instagram: @therealamandalynndeal

Facebook: @amandalynndeal

Youtube: @amandalynndeal

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