Meet Julia Lechner | Writer, Storyteller, Former College Mascot

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

Hi Julia, why did you pursue a creative career?
I engage in work and hobbies that make me light up, that challenge and stretch my abilities in order to help me grow, and make me feel like I am in a state of flow, doing my best work. I often find those moments when I am writing something new, performing in front of an audience, and hearing feedback from others about material that resonates with them. I enjoy telling stories, making people laugh, and helping others feel seen through my storytelling. I also really enjoy mentoring others and helping them unlock their creativity and find the best way to express themselves. Storytelling is what connects us and makes us human, and I feel very fortunate to have creative outlets like live storytelling and comedy to express myself and find the common human experiences we all share.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love comedic storytelling and am grateful to have a few qualities that naturally lend themselves to this art form. I am funny and quick-witted, I am comfortable public speaking, and I do not get embarrassed or shy sharing true, personal stories from my life on stage, on podcasts, and in my writing. I have a few vivid memories of moments in my life when people have told me that one of my stories made them laugh or made them feel less alone, and that energizes me to keep going. I believe everyone has a unique perspective to share, and I hope that sharing my humorous, sometimes vulnerable, personal experiences helps others feel connected and seen. A wonderful thing about performing at live storytelling shows and live improv comedy shows is that every night, every performance, and every audience is different, and that moment can never be replicated again. It’s like sharing a bit of magic that connects us all, and I think that’s very special.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am so lucky that I have had friends visit from out of town who have been able to watch me perform live at venues like UCB Theatre, The Clubhouse, and The Glendale Room. Before catching a live performance, I like taking visitors to the must-see sites that Los Angeles has to offer, including the Walk of Fame, Hollywood Bowl, Dodgers Stadium, LACMA, Griffith Observatory, and the Santa Monica Pier. For food, I’m all about happy hours, and my recent favorite has been Roadside Taco in Studio City. Order the queso! I also find it fun to get all dressed up at the end of the night for a trendy West Hollywood bar or a trip to the Magic Castle. You’re in the city of stars, why not look the part and hit the town?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It’s impossible to name everyone! I am grateful to my family, friends, and spouse for their unconditional love and support. I am fortunate to have had many mentors, teachers, and coaches in my life who have contributed to who I am today. For my live storytelling, I am grateful to many hosts and venues for including me in their shows, including RISK! at The Hotel Cafe, It’s Funny Now at The Crow, Storytasting at The Blending Lab, The Non-Fiction Show at Oeno Vino Wines, Revealed at The Glendale Room, The Moth StorySLAM at Los Globos, and Tell It! at The Young Actor’s Studio, to name a few. Thank you to all of the improv teachers and teams at UCB Theatre who helped me hone my funny, and shout out to The Clubhouse in Los Feliz for providing up-and-coming performers with inclusive, welcoming stages for improv, storytelling, stand-up, and more.

Website: https://www.juliaevelechner.com/shows

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaevelechner/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@julialechner

Image Credits
The Moth, Andy Forsberg, Glen Dunzweiler