Jocelyn Chia performs standup comedy.
The 4th annual Asian Comedy Fest will take place on May 5th and May 6th at Sour Mouse in New York City. It is the longest-runnest AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) international comedy festival dedicated to highlighting diverse voices in the AAPI community. This year’s Fest will feature stand-up comedy, musical comedy and drag, from comedians like Dylan Adler, Youngmi Mayer, Karen Chee, Kaneez Surka and Andrea Jin. A Grand Finale will be hosted by Yuhua Hamasaki of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The Fest is sponsored by Pluto TV, benefitting the Asian American Arts Alliance and local AAPI-owned businesses and brands.
Forbes spoke via email with one of the comedians in the Fest, Jocelyn Chia and one of the producers of the Fest, Yao King. We spoke about why the Fest was created and what it means to be part of it.
An image of Yao King.
Risa Sarachan: What does it mean to you to be a part of the Asian Comedy Fest?
Jocelyn Chia: To me, it means that Asians have come such a long way in being represented in the New York City comedy scene that we can have an entire festival! I remember when I first started comedy, there were so few Asian comedians in New York City that when producers tried to book an (East) Asian Comedian for, say, a Lunar New Year show, they would let it slip that they tried to get Ronny Chieng but he wasn’t available, so they were reaching out to me instead. And I was so far below Ronny’s level that I was quite flabbergasted that there weren’t at least a few Asians between me and him that could be asked as well. I remember thinking, “You mean it’s Ronny Chieng, and then me?” Now we have a larger contingency of strong Asian comedians, so producers are more spoilt for choice.
Yao King: It means a lot to have the opportunity to create a space like this, where everyone involved can feel good about being part of it. We especially want the comics to feel seen. Trailblazing comics like Ronny and Ali had an uphill climb to get to where they are, and we hope to help make that climb a little easier for the next Ronny and Ali out there.
Sarachan: What are you most excited about this year?
Chia: I’m most excited about the social gathering we have every year as part of the Festival! The organizers do an amazing job of bringing not just Asian comedians together but Asians from various industries like the film and start-up space. A lot of Asian entrepreneurs take the opportunity to introduce us to their often Asian-inspired brands, so I’m also looking forward to seeing what Asian-inspired sweets, condiments, or bubbly drinks we will be sampling this year.
Also, I have been lucky enough to be approached by a couple of producers looking to produce my first comedy special, so I’m excited (and stressed because nothing I do ever seems to be good enough for my inner critic) about finally putting a Special together.
King: The Asian Comedy Fest is even bigger this year, with a larger venue, more sponsors, and even more comics. That’s meant more work, but also more resources to provide for our performers, improve the quality of the fest, donate to this year’s charity partner A4 (Asian American Arts Alliance), and new this year: directly support our local restaurants! When more and more folks from different walks get together for a common cause, there’s a buzz of vibrancy that fills that space that feels at once both comforting and empowering. Our fest keeps getting better each year, and I’m excited to see how these changes play out.
Sarachan: Why did you create this festival?
King: We want to create a space for up-and-coming comedians that feels supportive and empowering for them, while magnifying that feel-good energy that comes from bringing fresh connectedness to our adjacent communities. Our Fest brings together so many different folks, from creatives to corporates to activists and restaurateurs. At a time when the news cycle makes negativity the easy default, here’s a moment we can all gather in an affirming space to enjoy a few laughs together!
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
