Kelly Dooley of Improv Asylum: Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A…

Be kind to the people that help you build your career. It comes back to you ten folds when it comes to future gigs and performances.

As a part of our series called "Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Professional Comedian", I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Kelly Dooley.

Kelly studied Theater at Suffolk University where she got her start with improv as a member of the nationally-award winning troupe, Seriously Bent. Kelly has performed at The PIT in NYC, taken classes with Upright Citizens Brigade, and is an alumnus of IA's House Teams, NXT, and Main Stage cast. She is currently Improv Asylum's Artistic Director where she directs House Teams, Hen House (an all-female improv troupe), The Made-Up Matinee, NXT cast and various other side productions. She dedicates most of her time to a basement of a CVS and can't get enough of it!

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Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

I grew up in Peabody, Massachusetts — just outside Boston. I come from a big extended family with huge personalities, which undoubtedly plays a role in my career path. I grew up in a working class family — my mother was an emergency room X-Ray technician at Mass General Hospital, and my father was a Local 7 Boston Ironworker. I was an active kid. I loved sports and swam competitively, but when I turned 16, I decided to focus more on drama and music. The stage was calling me.

Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path as a comedian?

I've always been a bit of a jokester. When I was in college, my roommates would always tell me I was funny. So, one day they signed me up to audition for the campus improv group, and the rest is history.

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

During one of the Main Stage shows at Improv Asylum, a casting scout was in the audience, and I was lucky enough to be cast in the movie Daddy's Home 2. It was such an incredible experience to be able to improvise with megastar actors Will Farrell and John Lithgow. It's definitely been one of the highlights of my career.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

I once tripped myself and completely wiped out on stage while trying to "confidently dance." It was so embarrassing and I was mortified, but I couldn't stop laughing. My fellow cast members will never let me forget it, and are constantly bringing out the video footage.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I would have to say my father. In addition to being super supportive, he is the funniest person I know. Growing up he was constantly pulling pranks and making me do silly things. I was completely game for all of it and I think that's how I learned my improvisation skills. I also admire my fellow team members at Improv Asylum. They've really helped me develop my skill set and always push me to be better.

You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

You can't be afraid to fail because at some point you will. That's the nature of the craft. The best advice I can give is just to keep going. Get the reps in because it takes time to find your own voice. Your best and worst shows are behind you. So, what's next?

You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?

Currently I am directing the NXT cast here at Improv Asylum, which has been super fun and incredibly rewarding. I've just been promoted to Artistic Director, and my goal is to develop new shows and fresh talent. I love watching how things are changing and growing. It's really exciting to see the stage come back to life after the pandemic.

What do you do to get material to write your jokes? What is that creative process like?

I like to pull from universal truths and / or things that bug me. I get inspiration for my character work from people in my life, mostly because the people in my life are characters themselves, and I love them for it!

Super. Here is our main question. What are your "Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Professional Comedian" and why? Please share a story or example for each.

Don't take yourself too seriously. The second you get in your head, you're overthinking it and wont challenge yourself. 2. You are going to do a lot of strange shows in strange places — restaurants, dive bars, colleges, churches, parks, hotels, private clubs, etc. Just go with it. 3. Be kind to the people that help you build your career. It comes back to you ten folds when it comes to future gigs and performances. 4. Don't be afraid of taking risks. Be comfortable. Just going through the motions won't get you anywhere. 5. The audience isn't out to get you. Hold your own because you're in control!

Bonus. You'll be up late at night and will most likely sleep throughout the day. Be ok having pale skin year round.

Can you please give us your favorite "Life Lesson Quote"? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

I grew up in a big Beatles household and base everything I do on the idea of "let it be". Sometimes things just go the way they go and you have to not question it.

You are a person of huge influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

Laugh more and think less. Also, I think free health care would be sick.

Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!

The Rock. I've been a huge WWE fan since I was a kid and he's the most electrifying man in sports entertainment. Plus, I really want to see what he eats.

Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?

@krdjlb on Instagram!

This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!