by Kara Aiello
Shannon DeVido is shaking up the world of comedy and proving that humor can come in the form of a strong, funny and intelligent woman who just happens to use a wheelchair as she entertains. Below is her story and I promise, you will come away rolling with laughter.
I’m curious to what led you to become a comedian? How long have you been a comedian and where do you tend to perform? What do you tend to talk most about when you perform?
I’ve always wanted to be an actor. One summer I was struggling finding work, and around the same time, I went to my first open mic and auditioned for my first improv team, just so I could get some time on stage. I fell in love with it. The people were amazing, and being funny felt so much more rewarding to me than trying to understand Shakespeare. That’s not to discount Shakespearean actors. They are freaking amazing and I do not have any business doing what they do… When I do stand up, I tell stories from my life. Weird things that have happened to me, stories about my friends and family… Personal stories. It’s more fun to me than topical humor. I always pepper it with nerdy references, because I’m a big nerd. But I honestly do improv and sketch more than I do stand up. And I never know what is going to happen in those two mediums. I could be a sky diver or yelling obscenities at people. I love it because it’s all fair game. It transcends my chair and the people are the best.
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| Comedian and mobileWOMAN, Shannon Devido |
I’m curious to what led you to become a comedian? How long have you been a comedian and where do you tend to perform? What do you tend to talk most about when you perform?
I’ve always wanted to be an actor. One summer I was struggling finding work, and around the same time, I went to my first open mic and auditioned for my first improv team, just so I could get some time on stage. I fell in love with it. The people were amazing, and being funny felt so much more rewarding to me than trying to understand Shakespeare. That’s not to discount Shakespearean actors. They are freaking amazing and I do not have any business doing what they do… When I do stand up, I tell stories from my life. Weird things that have happened to me, stories about my friends and family… Personal stories. It’s more fun to me than topical humor. I always pepper it with nerdy references, because I’m a big nerd. But I honestly do improv and sketch more than I do stand up. And I never know what is going to happen in those two mediums. I could be a sky diver or yelling obscenities at people. I love it because it’s all fair game. It transcends my chair and the people are the best.
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| Cast of SorkinCorp - An Improvised Aaron Sorkin Show |
I see that you were on the Larry Wilmore show-love him but sadly missed the episode. What was discussed on the show and what did you want the audience and Larry to come away with at the end of your time on the show? What led you to being on his show? Have you been on other shows and if not, who would you want to entertain next by way of TV shows?
I had to speak about whether obesity was a disability. I hope the audience came away seeing a strong, funny, and intelligent woman who also happened to be a wheelchair user. I auditioned to be on the show in the summer. I have been on Law and Order: SVU and was cast in the new Hulu show, Difficult People. I would love to be on many shows… The Daily Show has always been a dream, Modern Family would be killer…Honestly. I’m up for anything. I just want to work.
I loved your article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, when interviewed what did you most want people to take away from that piece?
Thanks! I don’t know… I guess that I am available for work? LOL
There seems to be so little by way of persons with disabilities in the arts and entertainment field, what do you hope your presence will do to open doors for people with disabilities and what do you hope to teach those without disabilities?
I think you’re very correct and it’s a reality that performers with disabilities (pwds) face regularly. I really hope that I am able to get people to see that PWDs can play anything from the secretary to the quirky best friend. That disability is just as much a part of the life spectrum as anything else. I’m not here to teach those without disabilities, there are advocates that are incredibly smart and good at that job… At the end of the day, I just hope I can make people laugh.
When you talk about PWD's, I was wondering if you have any advice for other PWD's that want to get into the entertainment field?
Yeah... make your own work. Find something you like to do and don't wait for someone to let you do it. Write a script, make short videos, do some street performing. Whatever it is, get out there and do it. Dream big and make it happen. Surround yourself with people who make you want to be better.
Who are some of your favorite comedians or entertainers that you love to follow? Are there other comedians or entertainers that you have met/worked with who live with disabilities?
The big three for me are Jon Stewart, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey… I love how they use their intelligence and incredible comedic skill to make amazing work. Especially Tina and Amy. They don’t rely on easy “sex jokes.” They try to craft something that empowers women beyond that. I also love Lewis Black, Key & Peele and JK Simmons. They are all doing incredible work and pushing boundaries.
In addition to comedy I see that you are a writer if I’m not mistaken? What topics do you write about? What else do you do in your life? Enjoy doing?
I dabble. I think most of my writing is sketches. I’m trying to write a pilot. I write some funny articles for my friend’s website (Kind Over Matter) which I love doing. I don’t really have a specific topic/topics I like to write about. Whatever comes to my mind.
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| Useful Rooster (my "band") |
Moving forward, what goals do you have for yourself? Where do you see yourself as an entertainer/comedian in 10 years?
Hopefully, working! haha… I’d love to write my own sitcom and work with all my friends on it. That’d be super cool.
Please share with me anything else you would want me/others to know that I did not ask?
You can watch some of my videos on youtube: www.youtube.com/c/shannondevido
Can you talk a little about your disability?
I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy and have been a wheelchair user my whole life. Is there anything you want to know specifically?
I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy and have been a wheelchair user my whole life. Is there anything you want to know specifically?
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