Comedian, actor and poet who is breaking barriers and changing the game in comedy. @alokvmenon
PHOTO BY @joannatotolici
How do you get in the zone?
ALOK: To get in the writing zone I turn off all the lights, I listen to very sad music. And I just start writing without a prompt or destination. This could be for anything – like a blurb for a book, or even, like, a happy, celebratory piece of writing – like a toast. Sadness is the first portal to humanness for me. There’s something cleansing about tears. Like it prepares my body for the awesome task at hand. Catharsis is the heart of every piece of writing.
In a parallel universe, what would your life be like? What would your art be like?
ALOK: I’d be an interior designer. I like the idea of designing a space – making physical reality facilitate the kind of energy you want around you. It’s something I haven’t explored in this universe (yet!) but it’s something I think about a lot. I imagine being so enthused by it. I would start like…designing my own lamps and rugs and stuff. I have no idea what the art would be like. That’s the joy of making art, right? Is you figure it out as you go along.
What makes your pulse quicken? What makes you feel ALIVE?
ALOK: Being on stage! I love performing. There’s nothing like that electricity. It’s always different – every night. And touring! I get to see the world and meet so many incredible people who change my life. I have so many adventures. It makes life feel full throttle, like every moment is ripe with possibility.
What I love so much about writing comedy is that so many of my jokes come from just hanging out with my friends. So on the other side – the show feels like a love letter to them / a love letter to us. A reflection of the life we are building together.
Who is one of your newest found sources of inspiration?
ALOK: In 2020 I performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the first time. I spent two weeks watching shows from early in the morning until late in the night: comedy, theater, music, puppetry. It was phenomenal. I’ll be going back this summer and I’m so excited. Just to be around thousands of other artists…people who get my neuroses, shticks, bits. It’s therapeutic. Can’t recommend it enough. Made me feel like something greater than myself.
How do you conquer a creative block?
ALOK: Well first I start spiraling and freaking out that I lack the technical expertise to go on: “I’m in over my head!” Then I call friends to complain, and then I end up riffing with my team and together we’re able to get through it. Everything I make is an imprint of the conversations I’m having with friends. What I love so much about writing comedy is that so many of my jokes come from just hanging out with my friends. So on the other side – the show feels like a love letter to them / a love letter to us. A reflection of the life we are building together.
What is your favorite time of day? Why?
ALOK: I’m most productive from midnight till like 3 or 4am. It’s where I get most of my writing done. There’s something comforting about knowing that most people are sleeping. I get to be in my own thoughts. No distractions. The world feels like it’s taking a pause. This is probably because I have so much FOMO – eek!
ALOK: Isn’t that what a life really is? A glorified day dream?
Top 10 things you do to procrastinate.
ALOK:
1. Watch videos of hypothetical digital home renovations 2. Read academic theory (there’s something comforting to me about tracing the line of an argument) 3. Go on tours! I’m bad at staying still 4. Lots of staring at the ceiling while lying on my bed 5. Work on other work 6. Binge watch TV shows 7. Re-arrange the files on my computer 8. Doomscrolling :/ 9. Shop for clothes online 10. Hang out with friends
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