The Sauna interviews: Recent Episodes
The Sauna Interviews
The Sauna Interviews is the brainchild of Nica, a stand-up comedian who decided, after spending too much time in her sauna, to start inviting some of her eccentric friends in to join her for a sweat lodge-style exploration of truth and life.
: “My goal when I do comedy is to make people laugh, or educate them, or help them get laid.” Quincy Jones
“Quincy is who I aspire to be like.” Nica
Quincy Jones is a comedian on the rise! Prior to a terminal cancer diagnosis in July 2015, he was performing 1,000 stand-up sets a year in order to develop his skills. He continues to perform today, despite ongoing chemotherapy. With only a year to live, Jones’ dreamed of creating and starring in a one-hour stand-up comedy special. After an invitation for Jones to share his story on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, HBO made this a reality. Quincy’s debut one-hour special, Quincy Jones: Burning the Light, is set to premiere on HBO June 2. Through hard work and determination, Quincy has honed his voice, weaving together stories and everyday observations that cover everything from Subway cookies to police brutality. That along with his crowd interaction and witty off-the-cuff responses make him a highly sought after performer. Quincy has worked with many comics including Rory Scovel, Ian Edwards, Chris Rock, Sarah Silverman, and more.
“We used to have to do cryotherapy on his balls.” Alexander Chris
“All of your stories sound like punk rock songs to me.” Nica
Alexander Chris is a stand up comedian, actor and Navy corpsman.
“I have refused to let HIV define who I am.” Haha Herby
“Now that the new medication has changed.
What’s it like to live with it?” Nica
Haha Herby is a comedian, actor and singer from Texas.
“Being a clean comic… I just want everyone of all ages to have a really good time.” Kat
“Do you think it’s harder to be funny clean?” Nica
Kat Moore is a Southern comic performs clean standup comedy about the wonders of 7-11, people who don't know about ASL, and being insulted by a group of five-year-olds. Performance is with the Female Comics of Hawaii at Mark's Garage in Honolulu. She also produces the Twofer Comedy Show.
"Stand up is like the crack of art.” Rogin
“You are always chasing that dopamine rush.” Nica
Rogin Kim is a filmmaker and stand up comedian, and has a podcast called, “The Rogin Kimcast.”
"Drums are such a rhythm… Making your set into a drum solo.” Theo
“Have you ever set your eyebrows on fire by accident? I have. I have very bad eyesight.” Nica
Bio: Theo Manhattan is stand up comedian and an actor, known for Why Not Weiss (2015), Off the Cuff: Healthy Cooking with Craig Mitchell (2017) and Farah.
“Bush rat is very chewy, and iguana tasted like a gamey chicken.” Lala
“I ate my own placenta and it tasted like chicken.” Nica
Lala Ziemski is a Food & Travel Host. Owner of The Firefly Bocas Del Toro. Private Chef, Consultant, World Traveller & Eater of all the foods.
"If this were an anime, breastfeeding is your fight against people." Granison
" I could squirt them in the eye" Nica
Granison Crawford is an actor, writer, comedian, and enthusiologist!
“Why do they send us pictures of their wieners?” Nica
“Because they would like that, and that’s why they do it.” Kathleen
Kathleen Guevara is an American actress. She was raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan and took an interest in the arts at a very young age. She moved to San José, California where she studied Meisner technique and made her way down to Los Angeles where she studied classical and contemporary acting at Theatre of Arts College. Kathleen resides in Los Angeles, California.
“The whole idea of “Give Me Juice” is you go to my podcast and you are going to get filled up.” Leon
“I think you could beat me in arm wrestling very easily.” Nica
Leon Walker is an actor, comedian, hot yoga instructor and producer of the show “Give Me Juice”!
"I think I was made little because I’m violent." Nica
"They lock you in a room until you tucker yourself out." Kyle
Kyle Anderson has been a stand-up comedian since the tender young age of seventeen, and has been getting kicked out of bars and comedy clubs for being underage all over his home town of Las Vegas Nevada, Kyle eventually got a good enough fake ID and was welcomed into comedy clubs and showrooms all over the Vegas strip. Kyle has moved to LA where he performs with such names as Dane Cook, Marc Maron and Josh Wolf.
“I’m a great boyfriend, but my girlfriends just don’t realize it.” Ryan
“You broke your creative hymen.” Nica
Ryan Joseph is a local LA comic who specializes in one liners and deadpan musing. He regularly performs at the Deez Nutz show at the Comedy Store and has made appearances at the Ice House, Carolines on Broadway and Flappers. Influenced by Dangerfield, Jeselnik, Louis CK and Silverman...he considers himself lucky to be in LA learning and performing with the best.
"I feel like I’ve made it. I’m in the sauna with my shirt off with a white woman." Duece Flame
"Once you have kids it is like an earthquake. " Nica
Duece Flame is a rapper, producer and songwriter from Texas and now living in Los Angeles, and playing shows in LA.
“I just want to make the world laugh.” Big Mickey
“I like to live in a bubble and be completely oblivious to reality.” Nica
Born and raised in Los Angeles,California. Big Mickey tha Comedian started her comedy journey at fifteen years of age acting on hit TV shows (The Bernie Mac Show, Everybody Hates Chris), and national TV commercials. Big Mickey started pursuing her comedy career once she found it hard to break out in acting as an openly gay woman. She picked up a microphone, hopped on stage and has been bringing audiences to tears of laughter with stand-up comedy shows all over the country. Big Mickey has shaken comedy clubs with laughter, from Hollywood’s Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, The Comedy Union, and Ice House Comedy Club, plus many more. Big Mickey surely puts the H in hilarious.
“You don’t need any external equipment?” Ross
“No, it’s positioning.” Nica
Ross Copeland is a comedian and writer in Los Angeles. He performed stand up in his hometown of San Antonio for several years before moving to LA in 2014. In 2019 he was selected “Best of the Fest” in the Burbank Comedy Festival. He can be seen performing in clubs around California.
“Agoura High was traumatic.” Chase
“I’m just scanning the crowd for hot guys.” Nica
Chase O'Donnell is a comedian and actor who was born and raised in Los Angeles. Chase attended UC Santa Barbara and graduated with a BFA in acting. She studied improvisation at the Groundlings School, Annoyance Theater, and UCB which inspired her to create her own comedy content. Upon graduation, Chase wrote and starred in the comedic two person show, 'Too Blondes', which the New York Times compared to the Smothers Brothers and Broad City. Too Blondes ran off-broadway and won the Broadway World award for best duo in 2016. Chase has since moved back to Los Angeles and performs comedy through out the city. She writes for National Lampoon's Final Edition Radio Hour.
“I consider you my comedy mom.” Michelle
“Well I did breastfeed for three years.” Nica
Michelle Nubia is from Laguna Beach, California and lived in Arlington Texas for 6 years. She moved to LA in 2016 when she started going to Theatre of Arts where she found her love for stand up comedy. She’s been at the Comedy Store and Flappers in Burbank. She loves writing and traveling and working out.
“You know how you focus on the positive by focusing on yourself.” Juan
“Which is why I get a lot of facials.” Nica
Juan De La Rosa is a comedian and actor who is a regular at The Comedy Store.
"You want me to cum in your sauna?" Brinan
"No... I want you to come into my sauna!" Nica
Brinan Weeks is a comedian and teacher hailing from Albany, New York. He currently lives in Los Angeles. He produces and hosts a monthly themed comedy show in downtown and hosts two open mics; one in downtown and one in Culver City. He is a Sunday regular at the Comedy Store, and performs all across town.
“I say I’m a lesbian with a man. I saw my partner in their full aura before.” Suwon
”I have a lot of time on my hands and very few friends.” Nica
Suwon Weaver born and raised in Southern California, of a Korean mother and mixed African-American father. Began a career in fashion design after college and then studied for two years at Playhouse West School and Repertory Theater, she participated in the Play Festivals and was in several shorts in the PHW Annual Film Festivals. She also studied comedy improv with teacher/actor Jim Nieb at Playhouse West, where she performed in many improv shows. She has done improv and stand-up comedy showcases in Los Angeles.
“He likes a machete!” Angela
“I like it when Uber drivers are mean to me." Nica
Angela Augustus is an up and coming comedian. She has performed all over Los Angeles. Hailing from Ipswich, UK. She is a former teen mum turned comic. She draws humor from her questionable decision making, everyday observations, and english heritage. She is unapologetically shameless which makes for a cringeworthy time!
"You need to crash and burn based off of you, and I think stand up comedy was the key." Barry
" It’s too much pressure to live my best life. I just want to be alive, but not for that long." Nica
Barry Keith Coe JR. is a comedian, writer, actor and producer of The Chocolate Banana Show.
“I eat red flags for dinner.” Justin
“He likes to cover his nipples which is what I like in a young man.” Nica
Justin James has been called the Justin James of his time. With high energy stand up and songs, Justin tackles new ground breaking topics like airplane food and dating.
“Feel through it first, and then boss up afterwards.” Ashli
“I’m sensing a self-help book in your future.” Nica
Ashli Auguillard is a TV actress from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Ashli is multi-ethnic with African, Native American, and Creole heritage. She is the oldest of 6 siblings, led by a strong single mother. She is a fearless and independent millenial who is business savvy with tough skin, a requirement for success in her industry. She stays true to her Southern Belle essence and exudes sass and soul! She moved to Los Angeles for her acting career in 2014 and has been a force ever since. She trained exclusively for 2 years and began auditioning in 2016. Since then, she’s made appearances on shows like The Purge (USA Network), Kazakh Business (#1 Box Office Movie in Kazakhstan), and awaits the release of her latest movie NOT ALONE, which releases in April. Ashli was discovered by her talent manager, Michelle Zeitlin of More Zap Management, after her outstanding performance at the Joanne Barron Meisner Studio Showcase, where her scene received recognition by an industry panel vote by casting directors, agents, and managers.
"I have a couple of low budget scripts set up with my company." Cal
"If you need an extra, I'll walk by." Nica
Cal Barnes is a writer and actor, known for Unfriended (2014), The Astrid Experience and Adolescence (2018).
“I’m sitting in a sauna thinking is this greatness or is this tragedy.” Kenneth
“I’m a little too hot and delirious to explain myself properly.” Nica
Kenneth Hughes has worked with a wide range of recognized names such as Madonna, Meryl Streep, Michael Bay, Christopher Columbus, Tracey Ullman, Julie Taymor, Jim Carrey, the Bee Gees, Robert Zemeckis, Matthew Rolston, Coen Brothers, the ISO dance company, the Diavalo Dance Theater, the Rogue Go-Go Dance Company, Zubin Mehta, Mika Kaurismäki, Amy Brenneman, Val Kilmer, Eric Stoltz and others. He had films in Cannes, Sundance, and taught at CalArts. He has danced and acted in everything from A-list features to street theater and guerilla film groups. His directing and producing has spanned every form from feature films, commercials, music videos, to live events and stage. He recently started Unified Everything Project (501c3 Nonprofit) to bring the arts and sciences together for great spectacle and enriching of audience and creators alike.
“I have older nipples. They are starting to point down.” Rob
“During an earthquake do you feel your balls more?” Nica
Rob Morris is host of several weekly talk shows available on You Tube: “Rob’ing The People,” “At The Elephants,” “This Is Heavy Doc” and a broadcast from Fourth Wall Studios in NoHo. Former writer for Comedy Central & Spike TV, he is also a producer on “Dancing With The Stars.” Rob is from Texas and a graduate of UNCSA Drama.
“A real man to me is like a gentleman.” Fernanda
“ ¿dónde está la cerveza?” Nica
Fernanda Tapia is an actress and writer, known for Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003), The Stiletto Sketch Show (2015) and White Reindeer (2013).
“I walked over hot coals… Later on you could tell I had walked on fire. My feet were hot!” Torrance
“I’m stalking you right now. That’s why you’re in here.” Nica
Torrance Hill is a talented stand-up comic and emcee for corporate events. He frequently performs in L.A.'s top venues The Comedy Store, The Improv, Flappers, The Laugh Factory and The Ice House to name a few. He also works as an MC hosting corporate events throughout the Southern California area.
Torrance can be found on social media: facebook -Torrance Hill twitter - TorranceHill06 instagram - comictorrancehill
“Oh my God, my wig!” Nthenya
“I have to stop sexually exploiting men.” Nica
Nthenya from Kenya! Nthenya was born in Kenya and spent the first half of her life in Vancouver, BC and moved to Charleston, SC when she was 10 years-old. That’s when she realized she was black ya’ll! Heeeyyy!!! Always an avid reader and academic, nthenya excelled in Academics and Studied Biochemistry at the University of Miami. #daU. She enjoys people watching, wine drinking and being petty. Nthenya host the Binch Comedy Show, and is a regular at the Comedy Store in the Belly Room! You may have seen her on Shameless or Loosely Exactly Nicole, or in your DM’s ;)
“People who tell the truth and are honest I immediately sexually respond to them.” Vanessa
“I was born very early so that’s why I’m a little bit small and weird.” Nica
Vanessa Donley grew up in L.A. She studied at LACHSA, the Academy of Art, and with a few great acting teachers. Between plays, independents, neon sign sculpting and traveling, Vanessa wrote copy and poetry. She is now acting and producing for Theater of Note.
“Why would I stop nursing when the baby is the only one who would suck my tits?” Cheryl “I think people fake NOT liking me. They like me so much they are pretending not to like me.” Nica Cheryl Lee Scott is a comedian, artist, writer and designer based in Los Angeles. A second generation Angelino, born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, she graduated from UCLA in 1999. In 2015 Cheryl opened a contemporary art space in the heart of L.A., Chainlink Gallery. This passion project was the result of her strong desire to connect people together in real life. After two years and ten exhibitions, Cheryl took the business online. Her first comedy showcase was at the Hollywood Improv in February 2018, under the tutelage of comic and voice over actor Lesley Wolff. That performance got her booked into a show at The Comedy Store where you can see her perform once a month. In November 2018 she was accepted into the Palm Springs International Comedy Festival. Cheryl lives in West Los Angeles and has two children with her ex-husband. She is currently taking a screenwriting class at her alma mater, UCLA, and preparing herself for coming back in her next life as a man. You’ll have to see her do stand up to understand that one!
“They are vegan at home, but they eat pork and beef when they leave the house.” Jermaine
“It’s all about Jah.” Nica
Jermaine Jackson is an Executive First Down ProductionsACTOR/COMEDIAN known for films like QUARANTINE, SPEED DATING television like ER, and does FUNNY Stand Up Comedy!
“I’m naughty. I have a lot of good GILF years left.” Sally
Sally performs twice a week at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles and entertains worldwide for the U.S. troops. She is the Winner of Funniest Comic in LA 2015 and has been seen on MTV, Playboy TV and national commercials. She has extensive hosting experience and performs for corporations including IBM and check out her #GetLiveMonday open mic at the Pig N’ Whistle on Hollywood Boulevard. After wrapping her 2 year run of Hello Cougar with Dromebox.com, she is in production with Cookin’4 Pussy, soon to be on You Tube. For bookings contact Sweetgigs818@gmail.com.
“For everything in my life I have to look at the funny side because that’s the easiest way to deal with pain and loneliness.” Marc
Not much is known about this man of mystery...until now. Marc was born and raised in a small town in Idaho. He traveled to Los Angeles with a penny in his pocket and a dream in his heart. Cheesy? Yea, you're probably right. Marc waged war for several years against tyrants known to the world as rent.....auditions.......rejection. He fell into a dark place consumed by inadequacy. Until one day as he cowered in the shadows of pain he heard it. It called to him. He was lifted up by a strength he had never felt before. A light that carried him from darkness into his destiny. A light he soon realized came from his own soul. A magic that had always existed within him but he never knew would be his pathway in the universe. Until now. Comedy. This is where you will find the great Marc Walker. On stages across the world wielding a mighty microphone. His power....the ability to bring laughter to others. His home away from home.
"My brain is like five different radios, tuned to five different stations, each at full volume."
David Buckingham roams the windblown alleys, abandoned factories, gritty industrial areas, dodgy neighborhoods, and low deserts of Southern California in search of the cast away, the discarded, the forgotten: old 55-gallon barrels, wheelbarrows, tool boxes, road signs, tractor parts, car doors, gas cans, etc. These battered relics are carted to a dusty studio in downtown Los Angeles where they are muscled into works of art with a bewildering array of power tools and sheer force of will. All colors are original as found; David Buckingham is no painter.
“I still get down on my knees and pray, and sometimes cry.”
DJ Mark London Grammy nominated British DJ who was one of the first artists to bring rave culture to the United States.
"I don't want to live by rules that were set for me." Grace
"My socks are sweating." Michael
Grace Lee & Michael Pritsker Two funny comedians! You can contact them at: https://michaelpritsker.com/
Bridie is a photographer, graphic designer, and amazing mother! You can check out her work at: http://bridiemacdonald.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridiemacd/
Joe is a comedian, musician and owner of the 4th Wall open mics! You can sign up at: https://slotted.co/fourthwall/