Q&A with comedian KC Monica

Darwin based stand up and archaeologist KC Martin-Stone (aka KC Monica) represented the NT at the Adelaide Fringe Festival last month.

Off The Leash columnist Will Crawford had a chat with the comedian about her work.

As Darwin’s premier quintuple threat – writer, performer, archaeologist, heritage council member and philosopher – how do you work out what pursuit will be next? 

I always try to do things that seem fun. But there’s no real strategy to it. I guess it’s just saying yes to random things, and learning to say no to things I don’t enjoy.

You recently performed your first solo show, KC Monica – Chase The Fun Stuff, at the Adelaide Fringe. What’s it about? 

The show is an exploration of how a bogan dropout ended up with a life in archaeology, and what she learned along the way. I didn’t find any ancient wisdom, unfortunately! 

How did you get into comedy? 

I kind of fell into it. I was writing a web series about NT history, and I wanted to make it more engaging, so I signed up for a comedy screenwriting workshop. After class, we all went to the pub and told yarns, and everyone cracked up at mine. These complete strangers said I should try standup. I figured they had no stake in the outcome and weren’t trying to make me feel good, so six weeks later I got up on stage for the first time, and was instantly addicted. 
 

Which artists most influence your thinking and work?  

I take influence from a whole range of spheres, not just artists. I’m fascinated by the work that scientists and other researchers are doing these days. I love beautiful data. I get absorbed by social movements. I worry at the trauma in the world. These things occupy my thoughts, and I try to untangle them and make sense of them, and hopefully eventually make fun of them. 

Favourite comic writer? 

Mark Twain. 

Favourite comic performer?