Comedy Queens: Meet the women redefining comedy in Tulsa
Tulsa’s local comedy scene is on the rise, and at the heart of it is a group of fiercely funny women making an impact with their sharp wit and unapologetic humor.
Comedians Lacee Rains, Erica Stokes, Bailey Gilmore, and Haley Jo Parker are making waves both locally and beyond, leading with both truth-infused and, at times, delightfully absurd comedy. They push back against antiquated stereotypes and misogyny while uplifting their peers in the comedy scene, fostering an environment that challenges everyone to improve.
“I would describe Tulsa’s comedy scene as insanely talented and busy,” Rains said. “In the two years that I’ve been a part of it, I’ve seen it evolve … There was a problem in comedy for a while with cliques and women not being the most respected, and I think it’s gotten a lot better. We’ve got people like Evan [Hughes] who are willing to make changes and speak out on things that need to be spoken out on. We’re seeing so many talented women get the time and be on the stages that they deserve.”
Using comedy to process their own experiences, these comedians connect with audiences with relatable material that strikes a deeper chord. Rains, Stokes, Gilmore, and Parker sat down with ASLUT to share their journeys as Tulsa comedians, the creative process behind their jokes, and their advice for women looking to break into the world of comedy.
Lacee Rains
Rains has spent the past two years making her mark on Tulsa’s comedy scene with her unique brand of awkward, unapologetic storytelling. Drawing from a colorful life — including a time when she considered becoming a Catholic nun — Rains isn’t afraid to dive into the dark and dirty, leaving audiences laughing and squirming in the best way possible. Performing both as herself and as Butterslutz the Sex Ed Clown, she aims to create a sense of community through her comedy, in hopes of helping her audience feel less alone.
How do you approach writing your material?
A lot of my content and jokes come from real parts of my life. I've got a lot of stuff about joining the convent when I was 18, being into clowning, or different awkward dates and relationships I've been in. So a lot of it will come from real moments, and then I'll just punch it up. Or, I'll generalize issues a lot of my friends are going through in their love lives. I draw mostly from real things around me for the majority of my content, but then there is just some ridiculous stuff in there. I've got a lot that I do about Nicholas Cage and what a hero he is. It's a mix between real things punched up and then going to crazy absurdist places and seeing what you can get away with.
How is performing as Butterslutz the Sex Ed Clown different from performing as Lacee Rains?
So Butterslutz is there to explain sex ed, her ideal room would be recovering Catholics. She’s louder and more outgoing, there are balloon animals and glitter involved — a lot of things you can’t do in a traditional stand-up set. Butterslutz is a more characterized version of jokes I do as Lacee, but as the clown, I can create this whole persona to get into. There’s something about being behind the clown makeup and the wig, I feel so much braver. It’s like being undercover. It gives me a lot of confidence.
What is your favorite Tulsa venue to perform at?
The LowDown. It’s like an underground speakeasy vibe, and they’ve got these beautiful blue velvet curtains. It’s such a good room.
What kind of impact do you hope your comedy has?
I hope people leave my performances feeling better and like they can do anything they want to do. I do joke about the hardest times in my life — like being assaulted and going through horrible things — and finding joy in them. I hope if people take anything away from my shows, it’s to find something good within the bad … If a woman who’s also gone through [assault] hears my set and can find sisterhood and community, then that’s beautiful to me. I would love it if they also thought I was a little funny.
Erica Stokes
Though Stokes has only been doing comedy for under a year, they are quickly making a name for themself with their sharp, boundary-pushing humor. Their style blends funny, raw stories about the messed-up moments in their life, and they aren’t afraid to dive into sensitive topics with a hilarious edge. Stokes thrives on connecting with their audience, challenging the stigma of being a woman in comedy who talks openly about sex while keeping the crowd laughing along the way.
How would you describe your style of comedy?
I do storytelling comedy. Typically, I gather crazy things that have happened in my life, and I’m like, ‘You know what? Instead of being weird about this happening, I’m just going to laugh at it.’ So, my comedy is a little bit crass, I tell outlandish jokes that test the limits of palatability. I like to talk about being a bad bitch and the things that come with being a bad bitch, so women relate to what I’m talking about. I just tell my business, and most of my sets are very truthful.
Can you give us an example?
One time, I was on stage talking about how my brother, who’s in prison, was trying to give me a prison pen pal to extort, who apparently was NBA YoungBoy’s cousin. I was like, ‘I don’t know how to do it, so if anyone in the audience has any tips or tricks, let me know.’ A lady actually
came up to me after the fact who had jail pen pals before and offered to show me how to do it.
Who are some comedians who inspire you?
Cepeda Cheeks and Chaz “Thunderwof’” Stephens are two of my favorite comics. Neka Peel has me dying every time she’s on stage. I also love Sommore — she’s one of the reasons why I’m not scared to talk about sucking dick on stage.
I like outlandish comedy and not being afraid to talk about sex. Being an attractive person who goes up on stage and talks about sex in such a candid way can create an undesirable perception. But there are so many women in comedy working against that stigma. I’m like, ‘Yes, let’s unite!’
What are your goals for the future of your comedy career?
Eventually, I would love to tour the South or Midwest with an all-BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+ lineup. Let’s get all the queers out and make everybody laugh and giggle. I feel like queer people have the best sense of humor. I also feel like many people, especially in communities of color, have to laugh to keep from crying sometimes, which will turn you into somebody with a really good sense of humor.
Bailey Gilmore
Although Bailey Gilmore has only been performing comedy for less than a year, her passion for being on stage started at a young age. Encouraged by fellow Tulsa comedian Evan Hughes, she took the leap into stand-up, bringing her unapologetic, "unhinged" humor from social media to the stage. Known for tackling taboo topics like sex and masturbation, Gilmore isn't afraid to say exactly what's on her mind, all while pushing back against the outdated notion that attractive women can’t thrive in comedy.
What are some themes you like to explore on stage?
Coming onto the scene, it makes me so happy when other women my age come up to me after a show and tell me they related to my comedy. I have this whole bit about normalizing sex and women being horny, and it’s so fun to bring that to light and for other people to relate to it. When people look at me, they’re not expecting me to talk about sex or make jokes about having the tightest pussy in Tulsa. It catches people off guard, and I love it.
What is a memorable moment from your comedy career so far that you’re proud of?
I got to perform at the Blue Whale Comedy Festival. I performed on Thursday and Sunday, and on Sunday, I probably gave the best performance, energy-wise, I’ve ever given, because I was so excited. My middle school teacher showed up and it brought me to tears seeing all that support.
I was so nervous — my knees were shaking like crazy before the show. But as soon as I started, within two minutes, the nervousness was gone, and it was so fun.
Who are some other comedians who inspire you?
Lacee Rains has been nothing but welcoming since I entered the scene, and she’s so funny and good at her craft. Ever since I was young, I’ve been obsessed with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s writing and comedy style. I saw an interview with Tina Fey when I was younger that stuck with me where she mentioned that you can’t be a hot woman in comedy. And that’s something I’ve been pushing against. I’m like, ‘No, I’m a hot woman, and I’m also funny.’
How would you describe Tulsa’s local comedy scene?
Our local comedy scene really surprised me when I first started. We have so many young, talented people here, and shows are happening several times a week … It’s such a high-frequency thing to attend a comedy show and just laugh. As an audience member, you leave feeling so much better.
What advice would you give to another woman who is interested in pursuing comedy?
Just go for it! It’s scary, but if I had never taken that leap, I would not be as happy as I am right now. If you’re even thinking about doing it, just try it. No harm, no foul. The scene here is so supportive.
Haley Jo Parker
Haley Jo Parker has been honing her comedic chops for six years, but it wasn’t until after the pandemic that she fully immersed herself in Tulsa’s comedy scene. With a natural ability to make people laugh, Parker thrives on stage, where she embraces the freedom to say anything she wants. Her humor is often crass and rooted in personal stories, presenting an exaggerated version of herself with nothing off-limits. A firm believer that women have a natural talent for comedy, Parker wants to encourage more women to embrace their humor and step into the spotlight.
Are there any topics or themes you like to come back to in your sets?
Unfortunately, yes: my pubes. Other than that, I do talk about a lot of sexual stuff. I try to make my humor mostly about myself, I don’t like punching down and I don’t want people to think I’m laughing at them. Except for rich white people. I roast the fuck out of them.
When I’m on stage, I like to lean into the ‘party girl’ aspect of my personality. Even if I’m not drunk, I usually always tell people I’m fucked up, because I know I’m about to say some wild shit up there, and it’s always funny pretending to be a little toasted.
What is your favorite Tulsa venue to perform at?
For bigger shows, I love the Spotlight Theater. They have a green room and you get to walk out from the curtains — it feels sexy; it feels famous; it’s so fun. I love supporting the Spotlight — it’s such an iconic building.
I also love shows at The Whittier Bar and Soundpony Lounge. Those shows are more intimate. When you get your crew out there, everybody’s feeling goofy, and it’s like 9 p.m. on a Tuesday, and everybody has to work the next day, but they’re still laughing and having a good time, it's the best.
What is a moment in your comedy career so far that you’re proud of?
I performed a booked gig in the Czech Republic. My best friend moved there to teach English, and I went to visit her, and there was an open mic. After my set, the host came up to me and offered to put me on a few more shows they had that weekend. It ended up going well, and I had so much fun and made some great connections. I would love to do a European tour in the future.
What advice would you give to other women interested in trying comedy?
First off, women will always be funny … If you go to an open mic, you’ll probably see several guys get up there and make some terrible, boring jokes. They just get up there because they want to and think they can do it.
So, I say to women out there, just be like a man. Get up there, don’t care, and go for it, because that’s all these mediocre guys are doing … All the women in my life are hilarious. I think if they sat down and thought of something, they could do a killer five minutes.