Meet Zoe Zakson | Comedian

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

Hi Zoe, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Not that I as a 21 year know everything about “the industry”, but I think one thing about entertainment, comedy specifically, that non-comics are unaware of is how absolutely gut wrenching and nauseating it is to fail publicly, in front of people, time after time. Even better, it really never gets easier or less soul-crushing. You just learn how to handle it better… or so I’m told. I’m probably not the best person to ask about that, I’m still thinking about a stand-up set I bombed three years ago. Actively, like right now I am replaying it in my mind. Anyway, what I’ve learned thus far in my extensive 4-year stand-up career is that while high risk can result in fiasco, it can also result in high reward… and when it does, boy is that reward worth it. I promise! (That was a promise for myself because sometimes I have a hard time remembering that).

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In my mind there’s a lot that sets me apart but trying to articulate exactly what that is has proven to be difficult. I think the day I figure that out will be the day I become wildly successful. I’m being a bit hyperbolic, but stick with me here. The day I finally discover what my “thing” is, what makes a joke a “Zoe Zakson” joke, what separates me from everybody else that also happens to be conventionally funny, will be the day I have perfected and soloed out my own voice, if that makes sense. I think everyday I get a little bit closer to that, which is what keeps me going. Since I started stand-up at age 16, I’ve definitely gotten a bit better and figuring out exactly who I am on stage, so I think the future looks bright! For now my biggest challenge is just sticking with what I know. Every time I do a bigger show, or a set for someone I’m hoping to impress, I know I am supposed to do my most solid, practiced, tried-and-true set. And yet, every time, I somehow convince myself that I’ve come up with something better (“better” usually just means less practiced and future dumpster fire). If I ever tell you before a set that I’m doing something a little bit new and “better”, please stop me, its a trap! Of course you have to work out the kinks in new bits some how but its good to save those for lower risk gigs or open mics. In other words, I need to learn to trust my gut and go with what I know to be good and true. This has definitely been a huge learning curve for me as I grow and progress, but I’m glad that I can recognize that I’m doing it. The first step to recovery is acceptance! I may have veered off the path of the original question but I want the world (or at least Los Angeles) to know that as a young comic, I’m still growing into my… comic… skin? That sounds gross. But every set I do, I learn a little bit about myself, or the audience, or about stand-up in general that I can use to be better next time… Actually better, not the aforementioned “better”.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Please take my answers with a grain of salt, I am truly just another LA transplant. I am also only 21 and I know nothing yet. I like Benny’s in Westchester because it is close to my apartment, relatively cheap, very fast, and scrumptious in my opinion. I don’t know if I would take someone there as a destination but if you are nearby, give it a go. I also frequent the Whole Foods “Hot Bar” because they take EBT, so that’s a big win for me personally. I am a big fan of sitting in a park, and I particularly enjoy this one in Manhattan Beach. I don’t know the name, nor where about it is, so this information will do nothing for any of you, but just know there is a park somewhere in Manhattan Beach that is really nice. I really like to sit in coffee shops too but I am a really bad customer and LA resident because I have to admit I almost never purchase a drink or anything from them. I’m sorry. This is my formal apology on the matter. I just like to be around people and listen to their conversations. Not in a creepy way, but in more of an artistic, observing-the-world-around-me way, is what I like to tell myself. I will say there is one singular location in LA that me and my best friend hold near and dear to our hearts. It has the best view of Los Angeles and you have to climb through a hole in a barbed wire fence to get to it, like all good places. Unlike the park, I know exactly where this one is, but I will not tell you. Its a well-kept secret between me and two other informants and I would like to keep it that way. I guess you could follow me there one day, but please don’t do that. It would be quite inconvenient for the both of us. You would also have to follow me around for a really long time, weeks even, until I go up there. I’ve already said too much.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would be forever indebted if I did not thank Nicole Blaine and all the hardworking people over at The Crow. I came to LA with absolutely no connections or knowledge of how the industry works, like most of us do, and was lucky enough to have Nicole take me under her wing (Crow pun!) and show me the ropes. From giving me a stage, to teaching me how to market myself and my shows, to introducing me to any and every comic she knows, Nicole and literally everyone I’ve met at The Crow have been nothing but cordial and welcoming to a newcomer like myself. You could also take Nicole’s version of this story, in which she spawned me into being about a year ago, in need of a college kid to collaborate with, and the rest is history.

Like the good daughter I am, I also must thank my amazing parents. We always say that together they make the perfect parents to raise a successful comedian which is a really weird thing to say but its true. My dad loves comedy just as much as I do, and my mom is super smart with networking, logistics, and the hustle of life. So no matter if I need advice on a new bit or help with a cover letter (gross), they are the best people to have in my corner. I love them so very much.

I’m writing this alone in my room but I feel like that Oscar’s music is slowly creeping in to play me off-stage the more I write. I promise these are the last people I need to thank! I have terrible OCD and I will not move on until I thank them all. My dearest friends; Blanche, Claire, Joe, Patricia, Chloe, Kiki, Kate, Alex, Ally, Anna, Rachel, and everyone else that keeps buying tickets to my shows (I’m so sorry) and has supported this silly endeavor since day one. I love you guys and I hope you know I don’t take that $15 for granted. I’ll pay you back one day, maybe.

Website: https://zoezakson.wixsite.com/zoezakson

Instagram: @zoezakson

Other: I run a monthly stand-up show for fellow college comics (and real, live, old comics, too). Check it out @thekidsarefineshow on Instagram.

Image Credits
Chris Mortenson and Mane Entertainment