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Nancy Mills : Roz Browne Interview
Interview with Roz BrowneSpirited Woman Q & ABy Nancy Mills Roz Browne makes me laugh. From the moment that I met her at her first LA Spirited Woman Workshop (she's
now taken one more) the woman puts a smile on my face. An actress / comedienne / storyteller / writer /
producer, she is a one woman band that has written, performed, and produced the very successful one woman
show, "Fried Clams She is also a CPA. You got that right. Yes, during the day, she counts numbers. But at night, she counts
laughs. A native of Boston, she's lived in Los Angeles ever since she graduated from USC in accounting. Now
in her forties, she says, "a high school teacher told me I can make a lot of money as a CPA. So that's what
I did. Then I found out later that the teacher was Roz has appeared on ABC's "The View" in their Hilarious Housewife Contest, on America's Funniest People
show, and many more TV comedy specials. She's well known in LA for her stand-up routine at such clubs as
the Comedy Store, The Improv, The Ice House, and others. I've seen her perform several times, and I laughed
until my sides ached at her autobiographical one Married to the love of her life, her husband Thomas, Roz is a black woman who has made it in the land of
Hollyweird. Which is a tough feat. Not only is she funny, but she has what it takes — guts,
determination — and the willingness, as she says to keep her eyes always on the prize. She's a great
inspiration to us all, with a great story to tell. I urge you Q.
Which part of you do you relate to the most — the actress, the comedienne, the
storyteller, or
A.
That is a difficult question because all of them could be considered one. The actress is
also the storyteller. I'm always funny. The writer is a necessity if you want to be a good comedienne you
have to know how to write your own material. I like doing all of that. I think I like to be considered more
of the actress than the comedienne or the storyteller, but like I said you can't take one away from the
other. I've had the most exposure in the comedy field — I think it's easier to get onstage than it is
to get a part — to get onstage all you really need is a comedy club or a place and you can go do your
thing. Most actors and actresses wait for an agent to call them to go out and act. But I didn't do that. I
did my own solo show, "Fried Clams With Bellies," because I learned and was told by some good people that
if you want to make things happen for yourself you have to do it yourself. You can't wait for other people
to do it for you. I wrote "Fried Clams With Bellies" and produced it. In fact, I took it to Martha's
Vineyard last July — now it's a national show before it was just a local show. The first time I did it
in 2002 here in Hollywood for
Q.
When did you know, or was there a particular moment or an experience when you knew you
A.
You know, I always knew I was funny but I had a smart mouth. I would say things when I was
younger and people would tell me "be quiet, you shouldn't say things like that." A lot of times I would not
say things because it might not be the most nicest thing, but I spoke my mind. So, now it's paying off for
me — I can speak my mind and it's funny and I get paid for it. Whereas before it was like shut up.
Don't say things
Q.
You've been a professional comic since 1992 — where did you perform and what was
your
A.
The first time I hit the stage — it was at The Improv in Hollywood. Dave Chappelle
was the host at the time — he was pretty new himself — and I was petrified. I was shaking in my
boots and I had invited a lot of people that I know. My family came and they were all there rooting for me,
cheering me on, and when I delivered my lines, my face was shaking. Then once I started getting the laughs
it was like "oh" I can do this. You get addicted to the laughs. Oh yeah this feels good, this
Q.
What gave you the courage to go on the stage
A.
Actually, I was taking an acting class and my acting teacher told me that whatever I had a
fear of doing, that what's I should do. And the only thing I was really scared of doing was stand-up. So I
thought — okay. I should
And that's what I did and I'm still at it. By facing that fear it opened up so many doors. It made me go outside of my comfort zone because sometimes I think that's what keeps us back from our dreams — that we are afraid to take that leap. Sometimes you just Q.
In your one-woman solo show — "Fried Clams With Bellies" you talk about your life
and your family. Tell us a little more
A.
Well I met my husband Thomas about twelve years ago, when I started to act. I was a CPA at
the time — I'm still a CPA — and one of my friends told me that a good place to meet men was at
the
Q.
You've also appeared on "The View" television show. What was
A.
That was wonderful. "The View" flew me to New York. It was for the Hilarious Housewife
contest and it was a lot of fun. They put me up in this swanky hotel. I got a chance to meet Star Jones and
even
Q.
Are there a lot of opportunities in Hollyweird land for black middle-aged women
comediennes, who are CPA's
A.
That's funny. To be honest I think the opportunities are limited for black middle-aged
females. There is not as many roles — in television, theater, movies — out there for us so a lot
of times we have to create our own. I feel I have more control as a stand-up comic. Right now I'm developing
a sitcom based on my stand-up and I'll be able to shop that around in 2006. Yes it's frustrating, but you
can't dwell on the negative — what good is it? You have to be positive and know who you are and what
you have to bring to the situation — to the industry. You have to know you are enough and that you
don't have to sit back and wait to make things
Q.
What inspirational words of wisdom would you like to give other women who are following
A.
Oh wow. I would say — this is one thing that has kept me going — I am such a
determined person anyway — I would say my favorite quote or saying is to keep my eyes on the prize. We
tend to look just at the immediate future, but if you look at the long-term goal of what you want and then
when it's there, it keeps me going. Because sometimes we don't see what's going on. We think nothing is
going on in our lives and our goals. There is a lot going on — we're just
Q.
You've taken the Spirited Woman Workshop twice. What do you like
A.
It's so much fun. It's like playing to me. It's like oh I get to play in the school
playground. And just to be around other people with a very positive energy and just a very loving environment
and feel. You know when you go to the Spirited Woman Workshop you're going to have fun. You get to let your
hair down, and be there, and enjoy it. Which is what I love. I feel a lot lighter afterwards.
Q.
Roz, why do you feel that you are a
A.
In the beginning of the interview you said that I was born a Spirited Woman, which I believe
I was. I am a Spirited Woman because that's what's in me. My mom is a spirited woman. I think I got those
genes down from her. We all are spirited women, a lot of us are not in touch with it though — that piece
of us that makes us spirited, but I try to keep mine at the forefront of my life. I do that by remaining
focused on my life and just be centered on who I am, on what
THANK YOU ROZ. YOUR SPIRIT BUBBLES © 2006 Nancy Mills
3/7/06 |
