'LOL' with Mina Liccione
Mina Liccione
ThriveIN5
What motivated you to pursue your passion?
I had no other choice. It found me! My parents tell me that I was a very shy kid in public but loved to sing and dance at home so they put into dance class at age 3. I’ve never shut up or stopped performing since!
Who inspires you the most?
My parents. My dad is absolutely hilarious. He is my comedy muse! Also, charitable work is very important to him and he encouraged his kids to always use our talents for good. My Mom has a very loving heart and supports her children unconditionally even when one of them decided to a bachelor’s degree in dance and theater arts, a master’s in experimental performance then move to the Middle East to start a comedy school and make people laugh for a living.
How do you handle the various challenges surrounding what you do?
I laugh! What’s frustrating a month ago, a week ago, a day ago is often funny the next. After a while you learn to flip it and find the funny in it to help you move forward.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Inshallah doing much more charity work with refugees in Jordan including regular arts workshops, trainings, shows and having them perform!
What advice would you give to someone up and coming?
Take a class! Taking a comedy course allows you meet like-minded people, learn how to write and structure jokes, test out your material before taking the stage and perform for the first time in a supportive environment.
1) So how long have you been in the UAE?
8 years already!
2) Was it challenging starting a career in Comedy in this part of the world?
Yes. When Ali Al Sayed and I first launched Dubomedy Arts we started with the comedy school to train and nurture locally based comedy talent. A year later, when we had some comedians in the making trained up we had a hard find finding a venue that would take a chance on local comics. They said “no, the jokes will be too dirty!” When we said we perform and train halal comedy they replied “then it won’t be funny!” All it took was one venue then the phones didn’t stop ringing.
3) Does the UAE have any restrictions towards any type of Humor?
It really depends on the producers and venues. We, Dubomedy, personally stay away from jokes about religion, certain politics and strong vulgarity no matter if we’re in the UAE or USA.
4) Have you done any other shows besides the UAE? What was your best show & where?
I have had the great privilege to have been able to perform all over North and South Americas, Europe and the Middle East. From performing stand-up to theatrical circuses to improv and devised plays to touring with a Broadway show and everything in between. My first show as part of STOMP in New York City at the Orpheum Theater. I’ll never forget that night. I’ll also never forget the first time I performed at a tented refugee camp in Sahab, Jordan. Both beautiful and life-changing but for very different reasons.
5) Is it difficult writing new material? keeping it fresh is an important aspect inst it?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Sometimes a joke hits me straight away and other times it’ll take a long time to fully develop. The best way to keep it fresh it to take notes everyday. If you look for the humor in life and listen for those golden moments and write them down before you forget them it helps a lot.
6) Not many people understand that stand-up comedy is actually a real job, they claim they can do it too? what's your call on that?
Give it a go then let’s chat!
7) You're part of a Charity organization (Clowns Who Care). What's that about?
Our mission is simple, to bring joy and laughter to those in need. We specialize in working with children with special needs, autism, children’s hospitals and refugee camps.
8) Is there any way people can get to you to be part of it or be involved?
Send an email to LOL@Dubomedy.com or join the Volunteer group on Facebook. We post volunteer call outs there.
