Jen Gia | Writer, Comedian

Tell us a little bit about who you are what you do, and how you first got involved with Epiphany Space.

Hi, I’m Jen Giangregorio but for ease of spelling, I go by Jen Gia in writing/performing contexts. I had always considered myself a writer first, gravitating toward half-hour comedies (Parks and Rec and Scrubs are among two of my favorites), and pursued that pretty hard when I got to LA. I dipped into performing stand-up as a way to see my ideas through. Having a spec script lie dormant while using it as a tool to apply to various contests did not fully highlight to me what jokes worked, and what POVs [point of view] were connecting. But stand-up taught me a lot about constructing jokes and delivering them. And, while it’s still a struggle to be in front of people or cameras, developing a strong POV and writing jokes from that perspective helped my script writing as well as put a face to a name. Later, I really enjoyed my time at improv via UCB [Upright Citizen’s Brigade] as well.

I’ve known Melissa Smith since I arrived in LA in 2008 and followed various iterations of Epiphany Space until I left in 2019. I value the time I had with that community and appreciate the care that Melissa has put into Epiphany through the years. Namely, I was part of one of the first Artist Way Groups, and that was a really good experience for me – I need to go over the book again, but it was the community that was the key! I also was part of a goals-sharing group and that was another great gathering of artists.

How did you first get into comedy? What made it something you wanted to pursue, and what has your journey been like?

I initially got into comedy by watching way too much TGIF. I think it was the Full House/Perfect Strangers combo that I connected with the strongest. I always loved to write and would write stories and scripts when I was younger. While I was part of an improv group for a short time in high school, I did not have the guts to really take on live comedy until much later in life!   

Who are some of your comedy idols? Whose work has inspired you?

Right now, I am really enjoying watching Taylor Tomlinson rise to the top in the stand-up and comedy world. I think it’s great seeing talent get recognized, and it’s all well-deserved.

The people who have inspired me in the past are Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, as well as Gary Gulman, Jim Gaffigan, Bill Burr (stand-up), Mike Schur, Mitch Hurwitz, and Dan Harmon (TV producer-writer). I feel like there are so many I’m forgetting! 

Are you still pursuing comedy and stand-up on the East Coast? What was that transition like? Any cool projects coming up?

At the moment, I am still taking in my new surroundings, and admit, being a bit lazy. ☺

I am planning to explore the stand-up scene in Boston – from the information I have seen, there are things happening. I have some notes for new jokes/stories and it will be interesting to see what is going to connect. 

I feel inclined to go back to some of my old jokes and expand them into stories. I have a few other ideas that stretch into other mediums. What I will say is that, while at the end of the day, you have to keep yourself on track, I do miss having the gentle prodding of a community like Epiphany to nudge me toward the finish line. 

Here’s hoping I have a different answer to this question this same time next year!