Lauren Servideo
She takes on characters like Anubis and Victoria. She tricks you into thinking she just left a children’s birthday party. Check out her acting chops and read about the funniest ever comedian, the one and only, Lauren Servideo!
Where do you live and how do you spend most of your time? Like, if we wanted to find you on a corner - which corner would that be?
I live in Brooklyn but I prefer to spend most of my free time in Manhattan. My mom recently came down from Albany (my hometown) for a visit and she thought it was so funny that I still get so excited by all the sights and sounds of the city. You can find me on the corner of Waverly Place and Waverly Place in Greenwich Village - it is one of the only streets in NYC to intersect with itself! That neighborhood also has incredible people-watching. Another favorite corner is Seaman Ave and Cumming Street in Inwood. I usually go there with your mom!
How do you come up with your funny ideas? For example, the video you posted in an elevator of a kid saying bye after his birthday party - where did that inspo come from? Did you literally just leave a kids' bday party?
All the videos began as a creative exercise. I would go into my room and hit record on my phone and just figure it out while the camera rolled. I have always tried to upload everything, even the stuff I think is not funny or cringeworthy. I think any stand-up comedian would tell you that bombing on stage is a painful, but important part of growing in your craft. It builds humility and, I don't know, provides clarity on audience expectation + behaviour? I only have my digital stage to do this so posting myself at my most dreadfully stupid has helped me to understand what ideas work and what ideas don't. And no, I had not just left a kids birthday party. I just like making that voice!
I noticed that you have management and an agent - and a really nice portrait on your website. Is it your dream to make it big as a character actor?
Thank you! My very talented friend Liz Renstrom took that photo. My dream is to make a movie that gets to showcase all of the ridiculously talented comedians, writers, and actors I have come to know through Instagram and the alt comedy scene in NYC. I want someone to watch The Thing twenty years into the future and marvel at how all of the people that were in The Thing have since become total superstars. Kind of like Wet Hot American Summer or Dazed and Confused or Band of Brothers lol. Hit 'em with that ensemble cast!
Where you a theatre kid in high school? Did you go to college? How old are you now?
My parents did not trust me as a latchkey kid so they were always trying to push me into after-school programs and extracurricular activities. I played Amaryllis in my middle school's production of The Music Man and I participated in two weeks of summer improv camp when I was twelve but...that's it, really. I went to SUNY Albany for journalism. I just turned 27.
Is there a specific character that always tries to sneak into your psyche? Do your followers request certain characters?
Victoria is probably the most intrusive character. Anubis is definitely the Marcia Brady of the bunch!
courtesy LAUREN SERVIDEO
interview ASHLEY MUNNS
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