Meet Justin Page | Comedian/Improviser

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

Hi Justin, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risks, especially in comedy is the reason I love it and also hate it sometimes. If I’m not taking risks at all, things will get stale even though it feels familiar snd comfortable. When I have taken a risk on stage or in a role, there’s an overwhelming sense of doubt and the thought “do what works, play the hits, do that one voice people love”, but underneath it is a little confident rascal saying “ohhh man this is crazy and it might not make sense but I want to do it” and when that thought barely wins out and it works, it’s the best feeling in the world. When it doesn’t, it sucks a lot, but that small chance it might work is worth it to me…

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I identify as a comedian slash improviser. I love bringing real people to life. Not like Orson Welles or Mother Teresa, but like the lady who works at Best Buy and kept reminding me she only worked Saturdays. That’s what I like to showcase. Maybe that’s too boring but everybody is interesting and deserves to be showcased. I think when I started auditioning for roles, I went out for more like epic characters and big over the top stuff which is awesome, but I found the roles where I’m just a guy with a specific point of view and loves to overshare is my type of person. I think accepting and figuring out I’m not a fit for those big Jim Carey type of characters is tough because you want to make people die laughing from not just saying funny things but throwing your body around in hilarious ways, but that. It’s difficult because as a kid that was so memorable to me as the funniest thing, so learning I can be nuanced and fit there is awesome. I think Christopher Guest (Spinal Tap, Best in Show) was the first like subtle well acted comedic character that made me believe you could act exactly who a real person would act, no added jokes or gags and I think that would define my brand. No extras, just comedy through being authentic.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to a bunch of Improv shows in town, as you can see some people you may recognize from TV or movies do some cool/weird stuff. I would definitely take them to Little Tokyo, which is very walkable and has so many great restaurants: ie Sushi Enya. I don’t drink but I think hanging out in the beach cites south of Santa Monica is always a great time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Big shoutout goes to handfuls of teachers I’ve had specifically in comedy and acting. I didn’t have the most nurturing, loving mentors growing up in my family, but people who did fill that void were teachers who helped me see I had something special before I could see it. Also huge shoutout to my girlfriend who is a fellow comedian. She is able to give me honest feedback and encourages me when I’m down and she’s just a little funnier/better than me.

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