For Annie Louey, carving out a career in comedy meant playing the long game. After finding her comedy chops at a young age, she’s evolved into an all-star creative who is making waves in the comedy world as a multi-talented comedian, performer and presenter working across a number of platforms. You may have seen her on the telly, performing stand-up or interviewing comedians in “From the Hearse’s Mouth” – a comedy web series exploring the topic of death (what a longline!). Oh, and click through to her website because you can even hire Annie as your wedding celebrant. In this interview, Annie shares her early experiences earning peanuts when starting out in the industry; using comedy to give voice to the Asian-Australian experience; and what it’s like writing for comedy across different mediums.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your creative practice.
I’m a comedian, writer and presenter working across stage and screen. It’s now been over a decade since I did my first comedy gig.
I recently performed my latest solo show ‘Annie Louey is Flirting with Death’ at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and I’m currently travelling around regional Victoria and New South Wales with the Festival’s Roadshow.
To mix things up, I also do weddings as a marriage celebrant.
How did you start your creative practice and why?
I was interested in performing from a young age. It started with me re-writing fairy tales with a comedic bent. I would get my primary school friends to perform them at assemblies with me. You could say I was a writer-director-actor even back then.
I thought I was funny but I got the push to try comedy properly when I was 16 and was hospitalised for burns to my face and neck. I couldn’t go to school for a few months so I spent a lot of time watching comedy DVDs.
I can’t remember exactly how I saw the ad for the Comedy Festival’s Class Clowns competition, but it must have been good timing because I entered it and found myself at the national finals. I still had bandages on my face but I got hooked on the rush of doing stand-up and the feeling has been with me ever since.
Where did you grow up and has it influenced what you create?
I grew up in Brunswick in Melbourne. It’s not an Asian area but still very multicultural and it instilled in me a strong sense of equality, regardless of people’s backgrounds. That’s probably why I’m drawn to writing jokes and stories that break stereotypes and give voice to the Asian-Australian experience. Same goes with programming diverse line-ups when I get the chance, and mentoring other POC performers to make sure the next generation of performers feel supported.
Tell us about your past creative projects. What has been a highlight so far?
I recently created my own web series called ‘From the Hearse’s Mouth’, which you can find on YouTube. I interviewed six comedians and performers while driving them to a location related to the topic of death. Claire Hooper and Dane Simpson are two Aussie comedians featured and we went an airport, the Old Melbourne Gaol and other unexpected locations.
I was nervous to create something that was purely my own idea for the first time. I felt very vulnerable approaching other comedians and saying, ‘So I’m making this thing. Do you like it? Do you want to be part of it?’ Then closing my eyes and hoping for the best. Incredibly, they all said yes.
Who or what inspires your practice?
Daily life inspires me. Funny things happen to me all the time and I meet some really entertaining characters. I feel like I have no time to watch TV or movies. My excuse is that ‘I’m busy living life’ and finding material that way. Hopefully that makes me seem cool rather than someone who knows very little about pop culture…
When do you feel most creative?
When I’m watching comedy or straight after I’ve done a gig. When I’m watching others perform it inspires ideas that have been kicking around in my brain. Like, ‘If that’s a joke then that other brain fart I’ve had could totally be a joke too! Get me a pen, stat!’
Straight after I’ve performed is when I also get new ideas or figure out how to fix a joke. As other comedians will know, sometimes you step off the stage and immediately want do it all again.
What’s it like writing for comedy in TV vs. stand up comedy?
It’s the perfect mix being able to do both. Stand-up comedy is freeing because you can be uncensored. You can have an idea that day and jump on an open mic somewhere and try it that night. You can be asked to do five minutes or an hour.
Time is limited on TV so you have to be as concise as possible. There are other collaborators that will help you edit the material and make it extra shiny. I find if I’m working in one of these formats for too long, I’m itching to do the other.
What gets you through challenging creative/ industry times?
Firstly, thinking about all the shit jobs I’ve had in the past and being relieved I’m here now. Secondly, reminding myself of the first year I went full-time with comedy and how absolutely f*ck all happened. It didn’t start raining jobs. No one knocked on my door and offered me money. I realised I had to put myself out there again and again for peanuts until things started picking up. Even the pandemic didn’t compare to how quiet things were for me in 2019.
What’s your advice for any aspiring comedians?
Play the long game. It can take decades to build a career in comedy so if you really want it, you’ve just got to stick it out. Another piece of advice I’ve heard is ‘there are no shortcuts’. I totally agree with this. If you’ve built a strong foundation over many years then when the bigger gigs come, you’re ready.
Whose work are you digging at the moment?
I watched the queer alternative sketch duo ‘Hot Department’ at the Comedy Festival recently and they make me cackle so hard. Patrick Durnan Silva and Honor Wolff are 100% destined for stardom.
What future projects are you looking forward to?
At the moment I’m about to start working on Season 4 of ‘China Tonight’ on ABC TV. It was only a year ago that they approached me to be part of this new show and it’s wild to think we’re already onto a fourth season. It’s really nice to be part of a regular cast of writers and presenters and to be showcasing Chinese culture on national telly.
Where can we find and follow you online?
On the web: annielouey.com. Instagram and Twitter: @annielouey. Facebook: @annieloueycomedy. If you feel like watching the webseries, head to my YouTube channel.
If you’re into comedy check out these Colour Box Studio interviews: click here.
All images courtesy of the artist.