Spotlight: The Masks We Live In
Erica Switzer is a Chicago-born educator and comedian currently based in Shanghai. She is the founder of Hei Now Comedy, Shanghai's premier black comedy group. For the latest, follow ericaswitzer and heinowcomedy on Instagram.
Unravel: Your story is all about the metaphorical masks you wear—which mask do you find is the most challenging to put on?
Erica: I've spent years of my life wearing masks that I thought the rest of the world wanted me to wear. As a black American woman living in China, I know that I show up outwardly in a certain way, especially to the uninitiated. In higher academia and the American corporate world, I've shown up a certain way. Regardless of the season of my life, I had always found the greatest joys in wearing my authentic mask, defying stereotypes, and striving to live in the truth of who I am. The more I get out and experience life, the more I'm confronting what I think other people believe I should be and loving what I know I am.
Unravel: You are both a comedian and an inspirational speaker, but you say these aren’t always mutually exclusive, where do you see the intersection in your work?
Erica: The most significant intersections for both are being relatable and vulnerable. If you cannot let your guard down and be yourself, you can't be vulnerable. If you can't put yourself out there, you can't be relatable. Sure, you can take the comedy stage with a persona or character and get big laughs, but more than likely, you aren't presenting the most authentic version of yourself. Early in both endeavors, I received feedback that I was still coming off as guarded or too focused on performing and not putting myself out there. Once I committed to letting audiences hear my voice and presenting my authentic self, everything felt purposeful, and I picked up momentum. Two years on, and I've been forging forward ever since.
Unravel: Do you feel stifled by the stand-up scene in Shanghai, inspired by it, or a little bit of both? Are there any more international comedy sets on the horizon?
Erica: Honestly, I feel stifled and inspired by it. Comedy is already a very subjective art, far from a one-size-fits-all model of entertainment. The cornerstones of comedy in Asia and especially here in China are far different than comedy culture in America. Although I'm still early in my comedy career, I'm still learning to write and perform material for a more general, global audience. The challenge of being relatable to an international audience frightens and inspires me, so I'm taking it on. These days, I'm recanting less of my marriage, and dating hijinks in favor of silly things my students say. I plan on making the rounds to some more Chicago area comedy clubs over the Christmas holiday, and there are upcoming Hei Now Comedy touring dates to kick off 2020.
Unravel: What advice would you give to someone who wants to share their story, or who wants to try stand-up, but is grounded by their anxiety? How can people begin to construct their own ‘mask of confidence’?
Erica: Constructing your 'mask of confidence' begins with knowing yourself, then acknowledging and owning up to your fear. You cannot build upon a false foundation. There's a certain measure of resistance that meets even the most confident amongst us, but if you don't take that step, the fear wins, and it's game over. That's not what we're here for. The next step, the one I like to consider myself on, is dropping masks altogether and living moment to moment as my authentic self. In my case, it's taken over 35 years of bad breakups, some Hattori Hanzo level sharpness, and I'm still crafting the true me with every new endeavor.
Unravel: What would you say to someone thinking about sharing a story at Unravel?
Erica: Do it! Do it without hesitation. Don't listen to your overly critical and perfectionist sides. Sharing at Unravel was an incredible experience. I had heard only good things from peers that have shared and attended previous events. While comedy and being well-aged (I've got Christmas sweaters older than Billie Eilish) has made me more of a skeptic observer, I still try to leave room to be pleasantly surprised. I was. The venue was warm, the energy was electric, and the storytellers delivered soul-quaking lows and glorious highs alike. Your story in all it is awkward, gangly, gory, intense, wistfulness will be right at home at Unravel.