Urvi Majumdar is a comedian, writer and senior producer at Footscray Community Arts. She’s performed to sold-out crowds at various festivals including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Emerging Writers Festival. She found her comedic voice whilst working through a difficult breakup and her material is influenced by her experience growing up in Australia with Indian parents and her time at an all Girls School. In this interview, Urvi discusses her recent role on Channel 9’s “Metro Sexual” and her work facilitating a new festival hitting Melbourne’s West in November.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your creative practice.
I am a writer, comedian and senior producer at Footscray Community Arts. Through my creative practice, I am dedicated to exploring a variety of creative forms as well as providing platforms to showcase unusual stories. In my comedy I explore my experiences growing up in Australia with Indian parents, as well as what it’s like living as an almost 30 year old in today’s world (I struggle to articulate that without sounding annoying). I also love working at Footscray Community Arts where I’m privileged to meet lots of amazing artists from communities that are outside of the mainstream.
How did you start your creative practice and why?
I was going through a break up and watching lots of female comics on youtube when I decided to give comedy writing a go! I had always been into drama, literature and poetry but found these were making me cry more with my heartbreak and just wanted to have a laugh!
Where did you grow up and has it influenced what you create?
I grew up in Carnegie, Oakleigh and Glen Waverley. I found the freedom/courage to explore and practice in the arts when I moved to Footscray almost 8 years ago. I think it was just the momentum that came with getting my first full time job, living in a share house with friends and having a pretty sick view of the city from our shabby little apartment that encouraged me to do things that made me scared.
Tell us about your past creative projects. What has been a highlight so far?
I loved performing my first solo show for Melbourne International Comedy Festival this year. I worked with a brilliant creative team on that and had a successful run of ‘Urvi Went to an All Girls’ School’. The show detailed funny stories from my childhood and particularly the ones that were born out of the intrinsic intensity found in all girls schools. I also loved playing Gwen on Channel 9’s ‘Metrosexual’ which was a really heartfelt and community-oriented show starring Geraldine Hickey and Riley Nottingham. I’m super excited about an epic festival coming to Melbourne’s West, called NEIGHBOURHOOD which I’m co-producing with my colleague Aamer at Footscray Community Arts. Presented with The Substation, Incinerator Gallery, The Bowery Theatre and West Space Inc, this multi-arts festival is going to be so much fun and has something in it for everyone so keep 11th -27th of November free!
Where do you feel most creative?
I feel creative in many places. Mostly at my desk in the morning although it depends if I have an idea or not… often I can feel particularly UN creative there! I also feel creative on long walks and in the middle of late night conversations with friends at some bar that’s telling us to leave because it’s closing.
What gets you through challenging creative/ industry times?
Googling things like “Signs I’m going through my Saturn return” or “celebrities who only got famous when they were older”. I love whining to my friends, boyfriend or sister and letting myself feel sorry for myself for a little bit before popping on either a self help or comedy podcast and deciding to reinvent my entire life.
What can we expect to see in terms of your involvement in Junction Footscray & what are you looking forward to?”
Everyone working on this seems super organised so I’m looking forward to seeing businesses in Footscray activated and to hear some stories of what this place used to be. I’m completely obsessed with Footscray and love it whenever anyone talks about stuff that happened here!
Where can we find and follow you online?
@Urvi_majumdar on most social media platforms and my website is www.urvimajumdar.com
You can see Urvi perform at Junction Footscray Saturday 9th July 5-6pm as part of the Roving Comedy Tour. Full event runs 4-10pm.
If you’re into comedy check out these Colour Box Studio interviews: click here.