Lynae DePriest’s Beautiful Balance of Comedy and Activism
I met Lynaé DePriest December of 2014 through Mass Mosiac (a website where some people asked for things and other people gave things). After reading The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer, I wanted to pass it’s wisdom on. I paid for it over the phone, Lynaé picked it up that afternoon. She thanked me, and that was that. I wouldn’t find out how important that gesture was until the end of our conversation.
Lynaé moved from San Diego to NYC 3 years ago in order to pursue her passions for theater and writing. “California had sapped my creative edge and drive, and the only cure was complete, immersion into a more creative culture to re-ignite that spark.” That spark took almost a year and a half to start burning again. “I lived in 11 different places during that time. It was hard. Anytime I got my feet under me, the rug was pulled out and I had to start over.”
She is no stranger to struggle. “My family wasn’t supportive of the move, specifically the reasons for it.” Her late grandfather represents the support she didn’t have, though she never met him. “He was a bus driver, ready to start a career in education. He had words with some disobedient kids one
via lynaedepriest.wix.com
day, so one of them went home, grabbed his father’s gun, and shot him after work. I like to think he would have been the positive male role model I haven’t had, that he would have understood and believed in me.” He continues to motivate her, both as an artist and as an activist for equal rights and ending violence against women.
Lynaé’s spark has started burning over the past few months. Improv has bridged theater and writing. Besides training with the Upright Citizens Brigade, she is a member of Charlie Foxtrot Improv’s Tank House Team, Meat Shoveler’s Reckless Instant Team, and Pinscher’s Supernova Team, and has branched out to storytelling. “During Pride weekend, I got no sleep, but it was amazing.”
“People need to stop being assholes in comedy,” she expressed when explaining the difficulties of being a female, a comedian, and an activist. “It can be hard finding a balance between comedy and activism. I’ve gone from mentoring sexual assault/domestic violence victims during the afternoon to playing the ‘yes, and’ game where a person turns those situations into material for sheer shock value. Thankfully, audiences are quick to react with silence when something is unfunny.” It remains a source of internal divisiveness that she is a participant when situations like this occur. “I wonder if it makes me a sellout. I constantly ask myself if I am happy with what I am doing. The answer isn’t always simple.”
There have been positive experiences when her two selves clash. “After the tragedy in Orlando, I approached U.C.B. about starting a Queer Collective. Our first meeting was last week,” she said, unable to suppress a huge smile. “I feel like I’m making a small difference.” She has larger goals for change. “Comedy is all inclusive, not just a place for normal, straight white males. For the small home-town performer, the diversity and acceptance hasn’t progressed as much as it seems based on high-profile comedians and celebrities. If a person is funny and can make an audience laugh, that’s what matters. There must be more diversity and fairness in those opportunities. That change is the legacy I want to leave.”
In the fall she wants to add theater to the mix. She seems nervous and excited and tired by the prospect, but her joy and motivation overshadow all of that.
via lynaedepriest.wix.com
As the interview ended, she expressed just how much that first year and a half had taken out of her, how much my buying that book meant and what a positive impact it had on her. Her sincerity was so honest and without ego. I was caught off guard and touched beyond words. I mumbled some type of gratitude in return before saying goodbye, surely coming off like a dismissive shit.
Lynaé has fought for the opportunity to make positive change in the world- to make others feel safe or joyous, even for a moment. I bought a book for someone, and though recalling that small satisfaction made me feel egotistical, it also inspired me.
Many people have the spark to change the world or chase their dreams, but only a select few have the flint and the steel necessary to light a fire under other people’s asses. Lynaé lit a spark in me to try harder to spread the positivity.
A list of Lynae’s upcoming performances can be found on her site. You must see her perform.
