A Female Comedian who I had the Pleasure of Seeing and Talking to
Last year I received an invitation to watch a show at the Enmore Theatre by a comedian I hadn’t heard of, but I called a friend and we decided to spend our Friday night in Newtown and enjoy this newbie. Let me tell you it was worth our time, Jess Fuchs is hilarious!
Fast forward to this year and Jess sent me another invitation to one of her shows. Unfortunately, being away at the time I wasn’t able to go, so I asked her to have a chat with me instead.
Sydney-born comedian Jess Fuchs has been described as exhilarating, boisterous, lightning-fast, and pure chaos. She masterfully weaves crowd work throughout her shows, giving audiences uniquely theatrical experiences.
In addition to live comedy, Jess shares crowd work clips, stand-up bits, scripted sketches, and hilarious anecdotes with her rapidly growing online audience. Through her online platforms, Jess has worked with various iconic Australian and international brands including Boost Juice, M&M’s, Vegemite, and Netflix, to create exciting digital content.
Jess has written for Refinery29 and Fashion Journal Magazine, tackling issues of sexism and body image. Jess has also been featured in Vogue beside her comedy hero, Phoebe Waller-Bridge; on Bustle.com, Pedestrian.tv, and The Sun. She has been interviewed by Female.com, Backstage and The Australian Jewish News.
No matter the medium, Jess favours truthful storytelling and honest oversharing, believing that vulnerability through comedy is the key to debunking and reshaping tired taboos.
Jess and I chatted about her life as a comedian and making people laugh –
Why do you do stand-up comedy?
I’m dyslexic. I got my period before my Pen License as a kid. I was such an inarticulate writer and slow reader, that talking and listening to people’s stories through movies, tv shows and music, was the main way I learned and engaged with the world. This is why I continue to pursue stand-up, especially in such a competitive environment where the chances of success are so slim. Humour is such a powerful tool for human connection. When you make people laugh, they lower their guard, and I believe comedy (in particular, stand-up) has the power to change society. To unify a room full of dissimilar strangers through a joke is incredible. It feels like magic or a superpower!
How long have you been doing this?
I’ve been performing since 2016/2017, but the first two years I did maybe three stand-up comedy open mic shows. I was too intimidated by the male-dominated stand-up scene as a young 20-something Aussie living in the US. But I was desperate to get into that world, so I began taking improv classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York. Then in 2019, with a tonne of improv stage time under my belt, I pivoted back to stand up, which was always the dream. And I’ve been performing ever since, with the exception of covid times.
You have a Jewish background, how has this influenced your comedy? And how does your Jewish family influence your comedy?
My family is packed with funny characters. We’re also Jewish, which is a big part of my identity. There are so many documentaries unpacking why so many comedians are Jewish, and the impact of such a background. For me, it feels like comedy and laughter are integral to Jewish culture.
My grandparents immigrated to Australia post WWII from Europe after experiencing unimaginable atrocities, and despite everything, my grandparents, particularly my paternal grandfather, had an incredible sense of humour. So I think it gives merit to the ol’ Tragedy + Time = Comedy equation and explains why humour is so prevalent in a Jewish upbringing.
Also, I come from a big family who would gather every Friday night for Shabbat dinner. So being funny was currency, being able to hold court, verbally spar and keep up with people of all ages made me razor sharp. It was the only way to be heard!
So, apart from your background and family, what inspires you or where do your ideas come from?
My ideas come from real experiences, observations or intrusive thoughts I then exaggerate. Most of what you’re getting when you see me is factual, but with colourful embellishments to hammer home a point. I also love people-watching at a cafe or bar, that is always incredibly inspiring because humans make weird and insane choices.
If you didn’t do comedy, what would you do?
There is nothing else I’m good at or interested in. I did try studying Psychology. I got a year in and when the statistics course started, I was outta there. Also, I realised as a psychologist you’re supposed to be impartial, using science to guide you. You can’t just give your personal opinion as to why someone’s crush won’t text them back. You have to use a checklist and be objective … boring. So, really if comedy wasn’t an option, I have no idea what I’d be doing, and I don’t think too hard on it thanks to my ‘if you’ve got a Plan B, Plan A will never happen’ mentality.
Who do you admire as a comedian?
Robin Williams for his versatility and pure chaos on stage. Jessica Kirson is amazing, she integrates crowd work and can completely control a room. Liza Treyger, Cat Cohen, Patti Harrison, Aparna Nancherla … all so incredibly different to each other style-wise, but each are unique and have such distinct voices.
Where have you performed?
I’ve been really lucky to perform all over the world, from Second City in Toronto to Gotham Comedy Club in New York, The Comedy Store in Sydney, and innumerable clubs and bars in Paris, London, Boston, and Melbourne.
Stand-up is an amazing job because you can be paid to perform in a dirty pub that has a narrow hallway that opens up to reveal an incredible theatre, or a converted wine cellar with a bunch of fold-out chairs, a park at sunset, or even someone’s living room. You name a venue and I’ve probably done comedy there.
Tell us something you would like people to know about you.
The arts is a fickle industry and funding is limited in Australia, so I am incredibly grateful whenever I get to perform for an audience, or when someone follows me on social media and then comes to a live show!
I want people to know how thankful I am, and that I don’t take the opportunity to be a comedian for granted. I know it isn’t always ‘cool’, especially in Australia with tall poppy syndrome all around us, to admit that you care about something. We all want to seem effortless, but the truth is I work hard and absolutely love comedy. Connecting with audiences through humour is my greatest passion. For you it might just be a casual night out on a random Tuesday, but for me it is everything. I am so appreciative for every opportunity to make people laugh.
Where can people contact you for more information?
You can check out my Instagram or Tik Tok (@JessFuchs), or of course reach out via email [email protected]. On June 28 I am performing in Melbourne at The Belfry Bar in Fitzroy. It is my first time self-producing an hour-long show, and first time performing in Melbourne outside of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, so I’m really hoping to sell out!
Thanks so much for chatting with me, Jess. I wish you all the best with your upcoming show and any in the future. You deserve success, you are one funny lady.
Would you like to be interviewed? Send me an email – [email protected] and we can discuss what you would like to talk about.
Happy reading (and laughing),
Maria P Frino
Author