Meet Zoe Rogers | Comic, Comedy Teacher and creator of Boulder Comedy Festival

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zoe Rogers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zoe, how does your business help the community?

I think it is important to see women and diversity onstage, so people feel represented and heard. It’s good to hear different perspectives and see people realize that we have so much more in common than you would assume.

I love teaching so that people find their unique comedic voice, that allows them to connect with audiences. It’s so nice when you see a student get their first laugh onstage. It’s like watching someone surf a wave of awesome energy. I think having shows where diverse voices and perspectives are heard is a positive thing. Helping people be able to use humor to connect with an audience about something that used to be isolating for them, is awesome. I think comedy is medicinal. I don’t remember who said it, but there’s a quote that laughter is the sound of people realizing they aren’t alone.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I guess what sets me apart is that I want to help people connect. You use the tools you have to create change. I do that through highlighting women and diversity, and also through teaching comedy, so that people can use personal material to connect with an audience. I’ve been really fortunate with the opportunities I’ve had, and I try to create opportunities for other people. I had awesome comics that I wrote with, but a decade ago there weren’t a lot of women being booked on shows, so there was not the opportunity to try your material as much. So, in order to make sure I kept getting up, I booked shows and mics and tried to book people who I felt like I wanted to see more of. I wanted to affect change in the way other people were booking. They’d see my flyers and it would maybe call out to them that their shows lacked women and diversity, so they’d change that.

I think it’s important for kids to see their parents build something, problem solve and not give up. The other day after Boulder Comedy Festival had finished for the year, I was talking to my kids and I said “Thank you for your patience and support. You know if you ever want to build something, I’ll support you.” They looked at me and said “Duh, of course” which is awesome, because not everyone grows up knowing that. If you don’t like something change it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would bring them to Picas in Louisville for tacos and margaritas. The farmers market there is beautiful. Giovanetti has the best coffeee and gluten free treats and is right on Main Street in Louisville. We love Gelato Boy in Boulder and Efrains for fajitas. Hiking Chataqua and doing the trails like Bobolink, are awesome but also getting to Laverne Johnson park in Lyons. There’s a lot to explore here. Also, Nederland has delicious food and hikes.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would give a shout out to my awesome husband and kids. There’s a lot of strategizing that has to be navigated to make producing, doing shows, teaching and Boulder Comedy Festival come together. I have comics to thank for bringing me on the road or having me feature for them, and people that volunteer for Boulder Comedy Festival each year. It’s a really terrific community. There’s lots of love and support. Dairy Arts has been incredible and backed and supported me.I try to create opportunities, because that’s what you do when you get your foot in the door, hold it open for other people.

Website: BoulderComedyFestival.com HighroadComedy.com

Instagram: BoulderComedyFestival

Twitter: @BoulderFestival

Facebook: BoulderComedy Festival

Other: Info@BoulderComedyFestival.com Zoe@Highroadcomedy.com

Image Credits
Matt Misisco (black and white) Chris Bryant (close up on mic) Matt Maenpaa (group picture)