Courtney O'Donnell
Courtney O’Donnell is an LA-based comedian, actor, and writer. She’s hosted successful shows at venues across the country such as Dynasty Typewriter, Union Hall, and Club Cumming. Most recently, she performed her half hour at New York Comedy Festival. When she’s not on stage, Courtney’s busy turning out award-winning comedic content for brands. In 2022, she was named Ad-Age’s 2022 Community Manager of the Year and won Twitter’s Best Brand Presence in 2021 while working at Wieden + Kennedy.
How has your work as a "brand presence" on social media impacted your comedy career? What do you draw on or use for inspiration, to create content for another brand or company?
Working in social media, where you have to turn out lots of content quickly, has made me much less precious about my writing process. I'm more comfortable throwing new jokes at the wall and seeing what sticks.
What is something creatively you haven't had the chance to explore yet, that you would look forward to trying out?
What if I was like "I would love to try being an engineer!" Kidding, but I have always loved writing music and would love to do more of that in earnest.
How have you felt your style and creative voice change over time? Does this current show (Courtney's In Town) feel different from your previous work?
It's completely evolved! I recently found an old journal entry from when I started doing stand-up in 2019. In it, I wrote about aspiring to be this totally wild and uninhibited performer on stage. Back then, it felt like a million miles away from what I was actually doing. But with time and persistence, I've gotten to that place and this show really represents that. It's something I'm really proud of.
What are you working on after "Courtney's In Town"? Where can we see you, next?
I'm writing/starring in a short film which I'll be shooting later this year! And I'm working on building "Courtney's in Town" into an hour long show.
Are there any upcoming shows, events or performances that you're really looking forward to seeing? Anything your friends or peers are doing, that you recommend we check out?
My friend Haley Stiel and Veronika Slowikowska have an amazing musical improv show "Improv But Good". My favorite show I've seen recently is Kel Cripe's play "Concessions" - it made me laugh and cry and see God. Their currently turning it into a movie so make sure you catch it!