Kristin Rand and Mara Wiles have never stopped playing. They’re having the time of their lives performing sketch, stand-up and improv in Denver and beyond; the world is their sandbox and they want to share the fun. Have you two always known each other? Mara Wiles: We met at Beauty Bar. Kristin obviously has a very attractive personality. Kristin Rand: I had just moved here, which was three years ago, and I went to Ladies Laugh-in and she was headlining that show. I hadn’t seen her at any shows before and I didn’t know where she came from. Mara: Yeah, I would just do whatever I wanted. Kristin: I remember watching Mara perform and thinking, “UGH! She’s so funny!” It was love at first set. Mara: I thought Kristin was so funny too. We both just ran up to each other, equally wanting to introduce ourselves. I was looking for somebody to connect with for so long. I just hadn’t found my buddy. When Kristin joined LadyFace, the sketch show I started with some other female performers in town, she really made a difference. Kristin: I just think it was a great idea to start a sketch group. The idea of that many schedules working together-it was a giant learning experience. It was learning about what kind of performer you are, what kind of writer you are, how you want to work, how you don’t want to work. It was beautiful and brought something up in me that I didn’t know I had. I believe so strongly that you pick whatever the fuck you want to do and then you do it. We’ve got to let go of what we think we’re suppose to do. I knew after a couple of shows with Mara that we were suppose to be working together. It’s about listening to your gut. Mara: That’s such a big lesson I’ve learned these past few years. Kristin: Mara and I would almost get in trouble for wanting to write sketches together. But that’s what I want to do! I want to write sketches with the one person that I think is funny and makes me laugh the most! So doing mOXie! also worked out in this magical way. Mara: It’s recharging to work with you. Right now we’re working on a web series for mOXie! which we’re really excited about. It’s going to be us just doing us and really just showing off our funny friends. Kristin: I have zero doubts in whether the web series is going to be funny or not. I don’t care if we don’t have a script. It’s like today we’re going to take the trash out and that’s our show and it will be funny. We always figure out a way to make it funny. Mara: And working together, we balance each other out. She’s taught me to be more self-assertive. I come from a family where we’re always saying “I’m sorry.” So it’s learning how to not be taken advantage of or feel bad for standing up for yourself. With LadyFace, I had to take some hard stances and be authoritative and not apologize, which I am so thankful for. You have to be in charge of your own career and learn how to approach someone when you want to use their venue. You don’t just haphazardly do it. You want to treat it carefully while being assertive. And I love that about Kristin and she brings it out in me. I don’t know what she gets from having me around? Kristin: Naps! Mara: I teach her sometimes it’s okay to come in a little late because then everybody’s more appreciative that you’re alive. Kristin: That you finally showed up. Mara: They’re not frustrated. They’re happy about it. But seriously, we have a baseline but our peaks and valleys are different. I just feel so lucky that I met my little baby! Seems like what you two are doing with MOXIE! is a perfect example of changing what it means to be female in the comedy industry. Mara: I agree. We’re really positive with one another. Kristin: I think what’s happening in comedy in general is amazing. What women are doing as self-produced, selfmade power houses is really flipping shit over. This is just an amazing place to be if you’re a self starter. The timing of when I moved here is unreal. the Grawlix had just formed and they weren’t Los Comicos anymore. I remember when we would go to Kinga’s which had an open mic. Open mics are notoriously horrible things but it would be pure magic. And that was my life and it’s still my life, to just go and watch my friends be hilarious in these little sweet spaces where we can all be stars. Mara: This is the best times of our lives. And when we’re rich and famous in our Jaguars of course, we’ll be like, “Remember when Kristin had a ninety dollar Car2Go fine? Now she wipes her ass with ninety dollar bills.” Kristin: She actually had ninety dollar bills made just for her ass. It’s very hard to get a new form of currency, but she did it. Mara: How do you guys feel about this shirt by the way? I just got it and bought it as a western costume but I’m not sure. Kristin: It’s working because you have sensible things on underneath. I have a jacket that I think is amazing, and Charpie laughed at me when I wore it and was like, “You’re not wearing that as a joke?” Mara: Yeah, but let’s not take advice from any of our comedian friends. Kristin: Fashion is all about acting like you want to be wearing something anyway. Mara: I’m embracing it. This is just the start of my relationship with this shirt. Today is the first time I’ve ever worn it. Once I cut out the shoulder pads it was like, the sky’s the limit. You’re not a shoulder pad kinda girl? Mara: Some people can pull it off. I do it and it’s like, “Ms. Janet! Call me Ms. Jackson, please.” Kristin: That reminds me of last night. So much fun. What was last night? Kristin: Yeah right! which is a comedy show that happens every first Wednesday of the month at Beauty Bar. It’s just me and Nathan Lund. I used to do it with Randy Washington but he started bartending on Wednesdays. ThE cU
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