Meet Danna Kiel | Stand Up Comedian and Writer

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

Hi Danna, why did you pursue a creative career?

The desire to create, perform, portray, produce and connect with audiences has always been trapped inside of me. I grew up in the 70’s . I was the intersection between The Carroll Burnett Show and Soul Train. I wanted to make you laugh or dance.

Despite a career path for which the rigor and mastery of academic achievement came more natural and was far more pleasing to parents; I knew I was born to create so I treaded other waters until the creative inside of me was overwhelmed by the desire to swim in creative waters.

I also started to see signs and get confirmation about what I specifically came to the planet to do.

It took a few false starts in other areas of entertainment, before the revelation and realization that the comedian inside of me was yearning to be free and that stand up was my gift, as well as, the incessant voice inside my head.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am a stand up comedian who loves to make people LAUGH, listen and connect. Having worked lots of jobs and had many careers over my life before I found stand up, I bring every experience to the comedy stage.

What sets me apart from others is that my stand up layers the personal experience of being an African American Woman in America who is a Generation Xer. What also sets me apart is that I think there is something funny in EVERYTHING. Every experience and the thoughts about those experiences play out like theater .

In my lifetime I have consumed music over multiple formats: Records (78 rpm, 45 rpm and 33 rpm) to 8 Tracks, Cassettes, CD’s and now streams. I’ve seen us shift from sugar to high fructose corn syrup and lived through 11 Presidents.

I have been affected by a lot of change in the world. I have first hand witnessed the drivers of the progress we now enjoy and experience in every sector of society from Health to Wealth and Finance, Tech, Education and Entertainment. I’ve experienced the birth and evolution of so many things from the personal computer, the INTERNET, music videos, a 24 hour news cycle, satellite television. laparoscopic surgery and cell phones to name a few. My POV is wide with a lot of depth.

I bring all of that depth to the comedy stage, because pain + TIME = comedy.

What also sets me apart is that I am a Teacher with a Math Degree who teaches reading and math to Special Education students and chess to students from 3 to 93. Human interaction is the chemistry lab of comedy.

What am I most proud or excited about?

I am most proud that what I think, write and say makes people laugh. I perform and write all of my material and I write sketches, as well. Laughter validates my hard work. Laughter is the real gut check, I truly believe laughter heals and I am looking to heal everyone! I am also beyond proud and excited that I was one of the comedians featured on the Sherri Shepherd highlight reel of Funny Over 50 comedians. Hearing from friends and family that they saw me on Sherri’s show was out of this world. I am also proud that in the midst of following my dreams, I’ve raised an incredible son who is graduating from Art College this May.

How did I get to where I am today professionally?

Once I started doing stand up, I simply refused to stop. Life’s hardest knock are looking back at my stops and starts. My own choices taught me that persistence and consistency are the keys to success (and progress).

Was it easy?

It wasn’t easy. It was scary to start, but when I knew it was time to start I went to my first open mic. Because there isn’t a manual for how to start your career, build your career and sustain your career, figuring out your 2nd, 3rd and 4th moves can be hard. Like what do I do after my first open mic? How do I get on a show? How and when do I get paid (LOL)? Should I put my jokes on Social Media? Do I have to worry about joke theft?

If not, how did I overcome the challenges?

Community forms around you. There are angels in the outfield and the infield to give you leads and make suggestions. Early on a fellow comic invited me to be a part of a mastermind which was for us a sister circle where we regularly shared information and other leads. We also bounced jokes off one another, tested and refined our material.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

Intend to be honest and funny.
Always do your best!
Trust your gut.
Pattern yourself after the best, but be your SELF.
Be on time.
Keep your word.
Be nice.
Laugh as much as you can.

What do I want the world to know about me and my brand and story ?

I want the world to know that I give it my ALL every time I hit the stage. I want the world to know that I am excited and grateful to do stand up. I want the world to know that nothing makes me happier than performing stand up, making people laugh and seeing my son succeed.

I want the world to know that if you can dream it you can achieve it. You are never too old and its never too late. You can start over ANYTIME. Faith and persistence are the keys!

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?

I would take them to Free Jazz at LACMA on a Friday. If its Spring I would also take them to Free Latin Jazz on a Saturday. We would check out LACMA exhibits later in the week. We would also check out exhibits at the Hammer Museum near UCLA. I would check to see if there is a good jazz concert at Catalina’s Bar and Grill or at UCLA’s Royce Hall. I’ve Seen Branford Marsalis, Kurt Elling and David Sanborn there.

We would eat at Cafe Gratitude on Larchmont and Gracias Madre in West Hollywood. We would go hang out in the Leimert Park area where there are cool cafes, restaurants, independent art galleries and independent book shops. Weather permitting we could walk to and through the sights of the area. Their Hot and Cool Cafe is one of my favorite places to eat and drink tea in the area.

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?

That sister circle from I mentioned earlier, Bobbie Oliver and the Tao Comedy Studio. Honestly the BIGGEST UPS to my Up Church Family. Up Church is a ministry anchored in activating us into believing that there is a limitless timeless power within us to change our lives into whatever we desire at any given moment. I put everything I leaned to the test. I found out it works if I work it.

After having pursued excellence in the skills I could see (administrative coordinating, mathematics and teaching), I began pursuing excellence and mastery in what I wanted to do, be and have. I forged ahead with little to no tangible proof that I could be a HIGHLY successful and working comedian, actor, writer and producer.

Doors and windows to countless opportunities have opened up and keep opening. I have been accepted to a lot comedy festivals. I have won some and been selected Best of the Fest for others. I have been on an incredible journey with all of dreams in sight and it’s not over. I now also perform locally and nationally.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/www-dannakielcomedy-com?usp=sharing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannakiel?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Twitter: https://x.com/djdannak?s=21&t=gSaj0B8j9VrGoSp8rTdiAw

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ComedianDannaKiel?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dannakiel2650?si=lhrQ8TvN-WTcUkKg

Other: https://m.facebook.com/dannakiel?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
Danna Kiel