ABOUT JA-RON YOUNG

Q+J: An Interview With Comedian-Actor Ja-Ron Young
from Kay Alexander Kemp

Ja-Ron Young is a New York based comedian, actor, and writer. Originally from Philadelphia, Ja-Ron moved to the city 6 years ago to study theatre, but quickly found that he liked being funny, and transitioned into the world of stand-up comedy. He has been featured in festivals such as The Cinderblock Comedy Festival in Brooklyn, and the Diverse AF Festival in Caveat, as well as being lauded as a finalist in the Trial by Laughter Festival in Indianapolis and the New York Comedy Club competition. Before the COVID-19 shutdown, Young was also set to perform his comedy special at the Tank's physical space. Every month, Young co-produces "one of the best underground comedy shows in New York City" (insidehook.com), the always sold-out show 6pack at Brit Pack. He is also a regular at New York Comedy Club, The Lantern Comedy Club, and the Grisly Pear Comedy Club, as well as a writer and actor for the Unusual Culprits sketch group and a writer for the experimental sketch group BoogieManja in NYC. This week, Ja-Ron and I had a virtual sit-down to discuss stand-up, politics, and the beauty of performing in a bellydance studio in anticipation of the CyberTank premiere of his sketch, "Friday the Juneteenth". 

Q: Why did you make the transition from theatre to stand-up comedy?

J: I’ve always loved stand-up; I grew up watching it but never saw it as something I could do. All I knew was that I loved performing, so I moved to New York to study acting, which I still love but with acting so much is out of your control; which auditions you get seen for, whether you’ll be seen at all, balancing unpaid projects that take months with eating and paying bills. I started doing stand-up because I wanted to have more control over what I write and when I perform. Stand-up helped me realize that I liked being funny–it’s how I survived school and growing up in difficult circumstances. I got bullied until I got funny,  and it also helped me laugh at hard times in life. So it was kind of a natural switch. I still act here and there, but I hope to make my name as a stand-up first.

Q: Who do you take inspiration from in your writing?

J: Donald Glover is a huge one for me; on Atlanta, he blends comedy and pathos together so effortlessly. Key And Peele are also big ones; I love Genre sketches, and they’re my favorite sketch team because they’re really the best at it. They blend social commentary into their genre work, but the funny is always the most important thing. I think it’s pretty perfect.

Q: As a stand-up comedian, do you have any favorite places to perform, or stories from performing?

J: I love performing in Alternative venues. My show, 6pack at Brit Pack, is in a Belly Dance studio; there’s a show at a spot called The Platform in Brooklyn that I love as well.  I love the unpredictable energy of crowds in non-traditional comedy spaces. It forces you to make choices and adapt and also encourages you to experiment and find something new.

Q: How long have you been working with 6pack at Brit Pack, and what's your favorite part of producing a comedy show?

J: 6Pack at Brit Pack has been going for 4 years and we’ve been in 4 spaces. I love the fact that my co-producer, Stewie Vill, and I are able to put up comics who are well known, but also up and coming comics in our scene who we just really dig and appreciate. There’s so much that goes into who the industry picks or anoints, and running a show makes me feel like I have some sort of control to show off comics we love and see working hard, perfecting the craft. I take pride in curating a show that’s always really diverse ethnically, but also in terms of styles too. It’s hard work, but it’s always the most fun I have the whole month.

Q: What moved you to make your sketch, "Friday the Juneteenth"?

J: I love genre sketches. I feel like they’re a great opportunity to explore heavy topics without it feeling like you’re being lectured to. I wanted to express frustration about the cluelessness of white liberals who were constantly saying “the right things” and posting about equality on social media but were ignorant to the ways their actions harmed black people. The irony of speaking out against something without holding yourself accountable was a funny idea to me.

Q: Obviously, "Friday the Juneteenth" first came out a while ago now (November 2019). Do you find it to be equally relevant to where we are today, as it was when you first wrote it?

J: I definitely think it’s still relevant. I have appreciated seeing so many white people at marches, vigils and taking actual action to help. That's been really encouraging to see, because things change when we’re united in a common goal. But there are definitely people out there who are just trying to look good on social media, i.e. the girl doing a photoshoot in front of Black Lives Matter march. It also takes place on Juneteenth, which is becoming more mainstream and not just a day of celebration in Black circles. Nike, Google, Twitter and other companies are making it a holiday with paid time off and there’s talk about it becoming a national holiday.

Q: Do you find yourself more or less inclined to produce comedy right now, and why?

J: As a Black person, seeing the numbers of us who have died from COVID-19, the conversation this country is finally having around systemic racism, combined with my own depression has made it really difficult to feel like being funny. I’m writing stand-up and other things but also being generous with myself, TRYING and  failing to be patient with myself and my work. But the jokes will come back if I keep showing up…I think?

Q: What would you say to people at home watching the news right now?

J: March, make calls to elected officials, watch the news, read actual books about inequality in our country, but also make sure you take care of yourself. It’s hard, and it feels like everyday the bad news gets worse, so be tender with yourself. Feed your heart with truth but also with things that bring you joy.