Kate Berlant

Embracing her authenticity and refusing to conform, KATE BERLANT’s comedic genius lies in her fearlessness to challenge the conventional

*This interview was conducted prior to the start of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

Words by Rachael Uriarte | Photographs by Kate Moore

Across the right side of the hood on Kate Berlant ’05’s white car, there’s a deep burgundy-hued splatter that glistens in the sunlight and takes on an uncanny resemblance to dried blood. “It looks like blood, but I swear it’s the sap from the tree I park my car under,” she said. It’s the most whimsy twist of fate, a tree of all things turning the comedian’s car into a faux crime scene. Meeting Berlant amid the total absurdity of the situation was the perfect punchline.

The tree sap horror at the start of our meeting ironically mirrors Berlant’s distinctive style, her authentic delivery, artful manipulation of timing, and pacing that draws audiences into her whimsical universe. In the ever-shifting landscape of comedy, Berlant has emerged as a luminous rising star, captivating audiences with her unparalleled wit, distinctive style, and unapologetic approach to humor.

Described as a Broadway downtown sensation by Vanity Fair, and a rising star in the world of entertainment, Berlant garnered widespread attention for her groundbreaking comedic performances that defy conventions and challenge established norms. Yet, it is not merely her on-stage presence that sets her apart. There is no space for pretentiousness with Berlant; she is easy to talk to and relatable in the most fabulous way, which made it easy for me to ask when she knew she wanted to get into comedy. “[I] hate to sound unbearable, but I’ve known since I became conscious,” she answered ebulliently.

Berlant says her formative years at The Archer School for Girls played a pivotal role in shaping her creative spirit and setting the stage for her future success in the world of comedy. “I remember being on the edge of tears in [Karen Pavliscak]’s English classroom clutching Steve Martin’s ‘Cruel Shoes’ and talking about how I wanted to be a comedian,” Berlant said. “She was so deeply encouraging and offered her support to me completely.” With this, Berlant developed an Independent Study on comedy in her senior year and crafted her first stand-up set, which she performed in the Black Box Theater as her senior project. It was the very first time she had performed standup. “Receiving so much support in those first moments of attempting comedy definitely changed my life.”

She honed her craft while studying theatre and film at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Her performances quickly garnered attention for their avant-garde sensibility, blurring the lines between traditional stand-up and experimental theatre. With an uncanny ability to morph into a multitude of quirky characters, Berlant brings her audiences into a realm of absurdity, where the ordinary becomes hilarious and the mundane takes on a surreal sheen. This quirkiness is her comedic superpower and something that she cultivated in her earlier years. She describes herself as a bit of an “eccentric animal” while at Archer, constantly clowning around and trying to make her friends laugh. “Archer was definitely a space where I secured my identity as an absolute clown.” As she puts it, this social flexibility allowed her to engage with everyone, whether they were in her friend group or not.

Berlant’s comedic style is a departure from the norm; a deviation that has invigorated the world of comedy with a breath of fresh air. In a landscape often defined by welltimed punchlines and conventional joke delivery, Berlant’s approach blends comedy with elements of performance art. This artistic fusion draws audiences into an immersive experience that goes beyond laughter, leading them down a path of intellectual engagement and self-discovery.

Onstage, her persona is marked by deliberate timing and calculated pacing, crafting an atmosphere of anticipation that keeps her audience hanging on her every word. Her physicality is captivating, using gestures and movements as integral components of her comedic narrative. With a magnetic gaze and an aura of controlled chaos, Berlant’s performances evolve into intricate performances that challenge perceptions and encourage introspection.

At her show “Kate,” directed by her collaborator Bo Burnham, Berlant’s total commitment to her craft envelops her audience from the start. During its run at the Connelly Theater in New York, the walls of the lobby were adorned with Berlant’s imagery and playful self-mockery. Berlant herself was seated on a bench with a sign on her lap instructing audiences to ignore her. The performance unfolded as a loose narrative tracing Berlant’s journey from aspiring young performer to her struggles in New York. Kathryn VanArendonk of Vulture magazine described Berlant’s performance as “exquisite, impeccable, and deadpan,” and she’s absolutely dead right. Much like everything else Berlant does, the show’s brilliance lies in this self-aware meta-narrative.

Berlant’s effortless brilliance doesn’t strike from out of the blue; it lies in her meticulous, creative process, a labyrinthine journey that unveils the layers of her distinctive humor. Much like Archer’s iterative approach to learning, her process is far from formulaic; it is a constantly evolving blend of observation, introspection, and experimentation. Berlant is a keen observer of the world around her, extracting inspiration from everyday life and imbuing her comedy with a relatable authenticity.

While traditional comedians might rely on structured setups and punchlines, Berlant’s method is more akin to storytelling. She often starts with a premise, an idea, or an observation, which becomes the cornerstone of her narrative. From there, she allows the material to guide her, exploring its potential for absurdity, satire, and social commentary. It is this organic growth that contributes to the layered complexity of her humor, inviting audiences to dive beneath the surface and uncover its hidden depths.

Berlant’s unique approach is more than an individual artistic expression; it’s a catalyst for change within the world of comedy. Female comedians have historically navigated a male-dominated comedic landscape, often challenged by stereotypes and limited roles. For Berlant, she has always been fascinated by gender and how it relates to comedy. “Women performers have had to choose between hypersexualization or radical de-sexualization,” she said. In a category of one, Berlant blazes a trail of her own, freeing herself from the constraints of a predominately male-dominated industry. Being in an all-girls environment at Archer empowered her to explore an openness and ability to be herself authentically.

While Berlant’s solo performances, like “Kate,” are emblematic of her artistic genius, her collaborative efforts also underscore her transformative impact. For Berlant, creative collaborations are the best part of life. “Making things with your friends is the only way to live!” The friendships she made while at Archer remain as major pillars in her life. “I met the genius Samy Burch ’05 at Archer, and she was my first deeply creative friendship. We continue to collaborate, and I continue to be endlessly inspired by her,” said Berlant.

Berlant has also teamed up with fellow comedian John Early, and the duo has breathed life into the web series “555” as well as delivered captivating live comedy performances. Their chemistry is electric, showcasing an interplay of comedic energies that further pushes the boundaries of traditional comedic partnerships. Berlant and Early’s “Would it Kill You to Laugh?” received an Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Comedic Writing for a Variety Special; the collaboration is a testament to the power of creative synergy.

Influenced by her work with like-minded creatives, Berlant performances are dynamic dialogues, a fusion of comedic minds that elevates the art form itself. Through shared ventures with Early, Jacqueline Novak, and Burnham, Berlant’s creative spirit thrives, proving that innovation in comedy often blooms most brilliantly in the presence of like-minded visionaries. “My creative friendships with John Early, Jacqueline Novak, and Bo Burnham have led to the most gratifying experiences I’ve ever had," she said.

It’s not too audacious to say Kate Berlant has, without a doubt, arrived as comedy’s next big thing. With The Guardian cementing that “Kate is the one-woman show to end all one-women shows” and multiple features in The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, W Magazine, The New York Times, and others, her approach, deliberate delivery, and unflinching commitment to authenticity have illuminated a new path in the world of laughter and entertainment that is not going unnoticed.

Her willingness to deviate from the norm challenges comedians to reevaluate the limitations of their craft and explore new horizons. Berlant’s influence extends beyond her own performances, inspiring a new generation of comedians to embrace alternative forms of expression, blur genre boundaries, and challenge the status quo.

In an era where being candid is valued, Berlant’s commitment to remaining true to her creative vision is a beacon of inspiration. Her style resonates with audiences who seek genuine connections with the entertainers they admire. In an age of superficiality, Berlant’s willingness to tread uncharted comedic territories demonstrates the potential of comedy to be a platform for both entertainment and meaningful cultural discourse.

By redefining the possibilities of comedic expression, she’s well ahead of the curve when it comes to a seismic shift in the industry. The rise of TikTok comedians, who share candid snippets of their lives through seconds-long videos, speaks to this trend. In an age of curated online personas, Gen Z craves comedy that speaks their language—real, unvarnished, and refreshingly honest. Unlike TikTok comedians, though, Berlant’s performances transcend a 60-second clip; while she shares many themes with her social media contemporaries, Berlant’s performances are visceral “IRL” experiences that engage people enigmatically, away from their screens.

Berlant’s creative process is a testament to the power of genuine experiences and innovation. As she continues to carve her own trajectory, she sets the stage for her own success and a new generation of comedians. Her journey is one of artistic evolution, an odyssey that has solidified her status as a transformative force in the comedic realm and a harbinger of the boundless potential that lies ahead.