Meet Jenn
Jenn Lederer is an NYC based award-winning comedian, keynote speaker, and storytelling consultant. Her work has been featured by SiriusXM, Forbes.com, The Huffington Post, Inspiring Lives Magazine, on stages at YALE, Twitter and Google Headquarters in NYC and comedy clubs throughout New York City and Europe.
Performing all over the country, internationally and virtually, too! Jenn emcees and leads workshops and keynotes helping audiences learn how to answer the one question everyone hates (but can’t avoid) “What do you do?” using the “comedian’s formula” for educating, connecting and amusing your audience.
Jenn’s experience spans 15+ years and at least 8 different avenues in the creative industry that include earning a BA in Dance from Point Park University, co-writing an off-off-Broadway musical, co-writing an album, owning and running a Talent Management company representing actors for film, TV and theater, Motivational Speaking, Business Coaching and now comedy. Stay tuned for what’s next!
Meet Jenn’s Muse
It took an intuitive painting class (in the dead of winter, 2018) for me to realize it was time to start comedy. Which could be the most millennial sentence ever written. But alas, it is my truth. We were given one word before starting to paint: Curiosity.
I picked up my paint brush with no plan in sight. The next thing I knew I was staring down at this guy:
Meet: the Owl.
As I signed my “J” on the bottom left corner I heard the words “Start comedy now.” ringing clearly in my head. I recognized this voice. I’d heard it come through before anytime someone would ask “What’s next for Jenn?” and I’d say “I’m getting into comedy!” even though stand-up comedy was the ONE medium I swore I’d never do. I decided this time, I’d heed the advice. It’s hard to ignore an Owl.
One month later I performed my first stand-up comedy set in the same room where said Owl was painted. And so began a personal and professional transformation I never could have seen coming.
You know who did see it coming?
my muse.
FAQ’s
What’s your favorite movie?
I have two and they’re equally unimpressive (to most).
Liar Liar and The Mask. (Jim Carrey was my #1 growing up and continues to inspire me in his approach to life and the business of show)
Where are you from originally?
Pittsburgh, PA. Home of the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates. (While I am aware these teams exist, that is the extent of said awareness.) It’s also the place where I spent nearly 20 years in a dance studio eventually earning my BA in Jazz Dance at Point Park University. As the story goes, dance would become the bridge that brought me to the big bad City of New York in the summer of 2007.
What’s your favorite quote?
“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. ... No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.” - Martha Graham
What advice would you give to your younger self?
For a while my response to this was “Nothing. Because she wouldn’t have heard me anyway. She was too stubborn and was gonna do it her way no matter what.”
Now, my response is “Nothing. Because being with her would be enough to help her remember who she’s always been.”