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An Interview with Jacki Sturkie
An Interview with Jacki Sturkie (aka Jacki Kane) – mom, comedienne and founder of TIME OUT: The Mother of All Comedy Shows
(TIME OUT brings you laughs each month at Airplay Café, 701 E Burnside. Click here for the schedule.)
Q. A little background, please. Age, where born, number/ages of kids, how long have you lived in Portland, that kind of stuff…
A. I’m 42 (I think. After 40, I keep forgetting things.) and originally from Baltimore, hon. No kidding, that’s how they talk. I lived in Atlanta for 10 years where I met my husband. We fell in love with each other and Portland, sold everything and moved out here 10 years ago. People thought we were crazy to not have jobs or friends. Ten years later, we’re still here, and I think our friends still like us.
Q. What kind of work do you do/or have you done in the past?
A. I’m a recovering advertising copywriter who used to do stand-up on the East Coast while working full-time in corporate marketing. So I used to drive to other cities to do shows after work, then be back at my desk by 8:15 the next morning…in a suit. There was a lot of super-hero-style changing clothes in the telephone booth.
Q. So tell us the story, Jacki: how did you end up doing stand-up comedy? Have you always been funny? Were you the class clown in grade school?
A. I’m pretty sure I was always funny. Either that, or people just kept laughing at me for no apparent reason. In junior high, they created a new category of a superlative award for me called “Most Original.” It was probably just a nice way of saying: “Weirdest.” My corporate marketing job was so stifling that I looked for ways to break out of it. Then, I heard about a stand-up comedy school. My first time in front of a mic, I was hooked. The first time I did an open mic, I got hired. Everything was going great until the clubs started closing, and I got tired of living out of my car. So I moved into writing funny radio and TV spots. Fast-forward an embarrassing number of years, a cross-country move and two kids later, and here I am doing comedy again. It has everything to do with having a 5 and a 7-year-old. One is a budding improv comedic, and the other one is old school stand-up. I can’t put anything past these kids.
Q. Where did the idea/inspiration for Time Out: The Mother of All Comedy Shows come from?
A. Complete terror. When I thought about doing stand-up again, I felt like no way would the audience “get me” at Harvey’s. I was right, too. The last time I did open mic there, the emcee introduced me as “the middle-aged lady.” I felt like I had to find my people, all kinds of moms – happy ones, jaded ones, grandmoms. Then, I met Patti Jagger and Andy Simon, the owners of Airplay Café. They were so supportive and energetic about putting on a show for moms; they made getting the show going easy. The first show, “Holiday Horrors,” was a huge hit with the audience. The positive energy the show has created was really amazing. Clearly, moms need an outlet. Plus, moms are naturally hilarious. Having a sense of humor is practically a job requirement. I’ve only been heckled once at The Mom Shop, but that was by two 5-year-olds.
Q. For those of us who haven’t seen the show yet, can you give us a description?
A. TIME OUT! is like a comedy show crashed a mom’s night out. Actually, so many dads have been coming out, maybe I should say parents’ night out. Each month, there’s a topic, ranging from “Honey, I Shrunk My Libido” to “What to Escape When You’re Expecting.” I host the show and start with stand-up, then I bring up “mamaperformers” who tell stories, read essays, do stand-up or just rant. Moms sign up ahead of time, but there are no auditions. It helps that the stage is at a non-threatening height.
Q. What’s your goal with TIME OUT – for everyone to have a good time? A release from the stress of mothering? Or something more profound?
A. All of the above. My goal is to give all moms and parents a way to let loose because parenting can be so stressful, you need a relief valve. The profound side comes from moms needing an outlet beyond wet wipes. Sometimes the mundane tasks make you forget you can do other things. Plus, moms are flat out hilarious.
Q. What’s coming up for TIME OUT?
A. Boy howdy, do we have some great shows coming up. We’ve got shows scheduled that tackle pets, pregnancy, recovering from high school flashbacks. The dads approached me and demanded their own show. So we’re looking for dads to take the stage for “Dad’s Revenge” on July 10th. I’d also like to point out that the moms have only marginally made fun of their husbands on stage. I’m hoping the dads play nice. Of course, my husband was the first one to sign up.
Q. Why are you changing your name from Jacki Sturkie to Jacki Kane?
A. Because a business advisor and attorney advised it to protect my identity and reduce the chances of my house getting egged. The real reasons are that it’s my middle name, it’s easier to remember and doesn’t sound like a rhyme gone bad. I’m really thankful my first name’s not Candy.
Visit www.airplaycafe.com for the complete schedule of upcoming TIME OUT: The Mother of All Comedy Shows.
