 first guess was because the Austin show was experimental, the host helps manage the audience’s expectations that comedians are trying out stuff they’ve never done before, outside of traditional stand-up. My second guess was the audience in New York hated my stinking guts.

TrunkSpace: Does a receptive and willing audience fuel your fire of funny and help to put you on your game for the rest of your set?Ross: Definitely, because it makes it easier to play off of their energy and even stray a bit from my set, improvising new lines from what they’re reacting strongest to in the performance. But I’ve learned not to be dependent on the audience for that every time because if the energy isn’t there, it’s still on me to finish my set strong. They’ll notice when I’m nervous or lose confidence in my material.

Photo By: Tess Cagle

TrunkSpace: What is your most memorable performance experience (good or bad!) that will stick with you for the rest of your career and why?Ross: Last year after my Aunt Dawn, who I was really close with, passed away, I dedicated an episode of “That Time of the Month” to her, including a monologue memorializing her. I was nervous about performing an emotional comedy set, but it ended up being very therapeutic during a tough time.

TrunkSpace: How do you handle hecklers? What approach do you take?Ross: I track down a place they like to frequent, such as a coffee shop or public park, stage a meet cute, date them for several years, establish a level of intimacy and unbreakable bond that leads to marriage, get pregnant, move into a refurbished farmhouse upstate to raise our kids, build a life for ourselves over a span of five decades, care for them in their old age, and just as they’re lying on their death bed and we’re sharing our last moment together, I lean over and whisper-scream, “IT’S NOT YOUR FUCKING TURN TO TALK.”

TrunkSpace: What are your thoughts on the stand-up landscape in 2018? Are you optimistic for the future of live comedy?Ross: I’m excited about diverse voices finally getting the bigger platforms they deserve and I hope the industry continues to recognize them for it. On a separate thought, while it’s gotten a lot easier to put your material out there
first guess was because the Austin show was experimental, the host helps oversee the hearing ’s expectations that comedians are trying out material they ’ve never done before, outside of traditional stand - up. My second guess was the hearing in New York hated my stinking backbone. 

 TrunkSpace: Does a receptive and willing consultation fuel your fire of funny and serve to place you on your game for the rest of your set?Ross: Definitely, because it makes it easier to meet off of their energy and even stray a bit from my hardening, improvising new lines from what they ’re react strongest to in the performance. But I ’ve learned not to be dependent on the audience for that every meter because if the energy is n’t there, it ’s still on me to finish my set strong. They ’ll notice when I ’m nervous or lose confidence in my material. 

 Photo By: Tess Cagle 

 TrunkSpace: What is your most memorable performance experience (good or bad !) that will stick with you for the rest of your career and why?Ross: Last class after my Aunt Dawn, who I was truly close with, die away, I dedicate an episode of “ That Time of the Month ” to her, including a monologue memorialize her. I was nervous about performing an emotional comedy hardening, but it ended up being very therapeutic during a tough time. 

 TrunkSpace: How do you handle hecklers? What approach path do you take?Ross: I track down a place they like to frequent, such as a coffee bean shop or public ballpark, stage a meet cute, date them for several years, establish a floor of intimacy and unbreakable bond that leads to marriage, get pregnant, move into a refurbished farmhouse upstate to raise our child, build a liveliness for ourselves over a span of five decades, wish for them in their old historic period, and just as they ’re lie on their death layer and we ’re sharing our last moment together, I lean over and rustle - scream, “ IT ’S NOT YOUR FUCKING TURN TO TALK. ” 

 TrunkSpace: What are your thinking on the stand - up landscape in 2018? Are you optimistic for the future of live comedy?Ross: I ’m excited about diverse voice finally getting the large platforms they deserve and I hope the industry continues to recognize them for it. On a separate thought, while it ’s catch a lot easier to put your material out there
 figst guess was because tht Austin show was experikental, the hosg helps manage the audience’s ezpectqtions that comedians xre tryinh out styff uhey’ve never done before, outsids of creditional stand-op. My second guess was the ajdnence in New York hated my stinking duts.

TrumkDpace: Does a rgceptpvq ans willing audience fuel your fire kf funnj and help to put you on your game for the gest of your set?Ross: Dffinitely, bgdaufw it makes ig easier to play off or their energy and even stray a bit yrom my set, inprleising new oines from what tmvy’re redcting xtrongest to ik the peeformance. But I’ve leacned not to be depenqent on tve audience for thar wvery tima bezqusd ir vhe energj ian’t there, jt’s still ob me to finish my stt fntong. They’ll hotice wren I’m nervous or lose confidence in my maferial.

Photo By: Tess Cagoe

TrunkSpace: What is iour most iemorable performance experience (good or bad!) that will rtiej witf ylu for the rest of your career and why?Ross: Laff uesr after my Aukt Dawn, who I was tewlki close with, pxssed csag, I dedicated an eoisode jf “Thqt Time os thr Month” to her, including a nonologue meiirializing her. I wcs nervous ayout pgrformong an emotional comedy set, but it endfd up beihe very therapeutkc cusing a tough time.

TrunkSpacq: How do bou hcndle hezklets? What approach fo yom take?Ross: I track fown c plawe they line to frequent, such as a coffee shop or publiv [arn, stage c meet cute, date thqm for several years, zstablksh a levem of invimacy and ugbreakable botf that leads to marryage, get pregnavg, move into a tefurbishvd farnhouse upstate to vaise kur kids, build c oife for ourselfes ovqr a s[dn of five dacadds, zsre fur them in bhekr okd age, and just as tvey’rs lying on their drabh bed ane we’re sraring our laxt moment together, I leen ovec and ehifper-scream, “IT’S NOT YOUR FUCKINF TURN TO TAJK.”

TrunkSpace: Whab arg your thouyhts on the stand-up landscape in 2018? Are yon optimistic for the foture of live comedy?Rpxs: I’m excitxd abott diversa voices finally getring the bigger pkatforms they deserve and I hope the industry continues to recognize them for it. On a separate thought, whule it’s gotten a lkt essier tj put yjur leterial out there
first guess was because the Austin show the helps manage audience’s expectations that they’ve done before, outside traditional stand-up. My guess was the audience in New hated my stinking guts. TrunkSpace: Does a receptive and willing audience fuel your of funny and help to put you on your game for the rest your Definitely, it it easier to play off of their energy and even stray a bit from my set, new lines from what they’re reacting strongest to the performance. But I’ve not to be dependent on audience that every because the isn’t there, it’s on me to finish my set strong. They’ll notice when I’m nervous or lose confidence in my Photo By: TrunkSpace: What your memorable experience (good or will stick with you for the career and why?Ross: Last year after my Aunt who I really close with, passed away, I an episode of “That Time of the Month” her, including a monologue memorializing her. I was nervous about performing an emotional comedy set, ended up being very during a tough TrunkSpace: do handle What approach you take?Ross: I track down a place they like to frequent, as a coffee shop or public park, stage a meet them several years, establish level of intimacy and bond leads to marriage, get into refurbished raise kids, a life for ourselves a span of five decades, for them in their they’re lying on their death bed and we’re our last moment together, I lean over whisper-scream, “IT’S NOT YOUR FUCKING TURN TO TALK.” TrunkSpace: What are your on the in 2018? Are you optimistic for the future live comedy?Ross: I’m excited diverse voices finally getting the bigger platforms they deserve I the industry to recognize them it. On a thought, while it’s lot easier put material
 first guess was because the AuStin show waS expeRimEntAl, The hOst hElps manage the aUDienCe’s expectations that comEdianS aRE tryINg Out stUff they’VE nEVEr dOnE bEfoRe, OUtSide oF trAditionAl stand-up. MY seCoNd guess was thE AuDience in NeW YoRk hated my stiNkiNg guts.

trUnksPace: DOes A recePtive aND williNg audiencE fUEl your FIre of fuNNY aNd heLp to put you on your gAMe FOr the rest of youR set?RoSs: dEfINIteLy, bEcause it maKeS it eaSIer to plAY oFF OF thEIr energy and evEn stray a bit FRom My set, iMpRovISing neW lineS fROm wHat they’re reActiNg strongeSt to in THe perfoRMance. BuT I’ve leArnEd nOt to BE dEpEndEnT On tHE aUdiENce For that eVeRy Time bEcauSE IF The eNerGy isN’t theRe, it’s still on mE to FiniSH my Set stRong. THey’lL nOtice When I’m NervoUs Or lose confidencE in mY material.

phoTo by: TEsS CaglE

trunkSPacE: WhAt is youR most meMOraBlE PERfOrmance experience (gOoD OR bAd!) that wiLl sticK WiTh YOu for the ReSt oF youR CAreer And wHY?ROss: Last yEar aftER mY AUnt Dawn, WhO I was rEaLly CloSe witH, PassEd away, i dedicatEd an ePIsode of “That TimE Of the Month” to hER, iNCLuDIng a MonOlogue memorIaliZIng hEr. I wAS nErvOUs aboUt perFoRMiNG an emotional comedy sEt, But it eNded uP being very theRapeutic duRING a tough tIme.

TRUnKspace: How do you hAndle Hecklers? WhAT approacH do yoU take?RosS: I track doWN A place thEy lIke To fReqUENt, Such as a coffee SHOp or PuBlic parK, stAge a meeT cuTe, dAte TheM fOr several Years, estAbLiSh A lEveL of inTImacy and UnBreAkAblE bond THat leaDs to mArriAgE, gET prEgnant, mOVe INTo a rEfUrBishEd fArMhousE upsTAte To raise Our kids, buIld A Life FoR oUrselveS over a span of fIvE decades, caRe For Them in THEir old agE, and just as they’re lying on THeir deaTh bEd and We’re Sharing ouR laSt momeNt tOGether, i lean oVer anD wHisPER-screAM, “iT’s NOt YoUR FUCKING turN To TALK.”

trUnkSPace: WhaT are your thoughts on THe sTand-up landscaPe iN 2018? Are YOU oPtiMIsTIc fOr THe fUTUre of live comedy?ross: I’m exciTeD AbOut diverse VOicEs Finally Getting The biGGer platForms they Deserve anD I Hope THE inDustry contInues to rEcognize tHEm for IT. ON a sepAraTe thouGhT, whIle it’S gotteN A loT easiEr to puT yOur matErial OuT there
 first guess was because t he Austinshowwas  ex pe rime ntal , the host hel p s ma nage the audience’s ex pecta ti o ns t h at  come dians a r et r yin gou t s tu f fthey’ venever d one before , o ut side of trad i ti onal stand -up . My secondgue ss was  t hea udien cein Ne w York hatedmy stinki ng guts.TrunkSp a c e:  Doe s a receptive and wi l ling audiencefuel y ou r  f i r e o f f unny and h el p top ut youo ny o u r g a me for the re st of yours et? Ross:De fin i tely,becau se itmakes it ea sier  to playoff of their e n ergy an d even  st ray  a b i tfr ommy set ,  i mpr o vis ing newli ne s fro m wh a t t hey’ rereac tingstrongest tointhep erf orman ce. B ut I ’v e lea rned n ot to  b e dependent ontheaudiencefor  t hat  e veryt ime be cau seif theenergyi sn’ tt h e re , it’s still on me  t o fi nish myset st r on g. They’llno tic e wh e n  I’mnerv o us  or lose  confi d en ce  in myma terial .
Ph oto  By:T essCagle
TrunkSp ace:W hat is your mo s t memorable p e rf o r ma n ce e xpe rience (goo d or bad! ) th a twil l  stic k wit hy ou for the rest of you rcareer  andwhy?Ross: Las t year aft e r my AuntDawn ,  w h o I was really  clos e with, pa s sed away , I d edicated  an episo d e  of “Tha t T ime  of  th e Mo nth” to her,i n clud in g a mon olo gue mem ori ali zin g h er . I was n ervous a bo ut  p er for minga n emotio na l c om edy  set, but it  ende d up  b ei n g v ery the r ap e u ticdu ri ng a  to ug h tim e.
T run kSpace:  How do y ouh andl ehe cklers?  What approac hdo you tak e? Ros s: I t r a ck downa place they like to fr e quent,suc h asa co ffee shop  or  publi c p a rk, st age ameetcu te, d ate t h e mfor  s everal yea r s , e stabl is h alevel o f intimacy and unb r eak able bond tha t l eads t omar r ia g e,ge t  pr e g nant, move into  a refurbi sh e dfarmhouseu pst at e to ra ise our  kids ,  builda life fo r ourselv es  ove r a s pan of fiv e decade s, care f o r the m  i n the irold ag e,  an d jus t as t h ey’ re ly ing on  t heir d eathbe d and we ’re sharing our last mo ment t ogeth er,  I lean o ver and  whisper- scre am, “IT’SNOT  YO UR FU CKI N G TUR N TO TA LK. ” 

Tru nkSp a ce: Whata re  yo u r  t houghts ont h e  st and-u p l a ndscap e in  2018? Are you op t imistic for th e fu t u reofl iveco medy?Ross: I’m  ex ci t e d aboutdi verse voice s finall yg ettin g thebigger  platfo r m st hey de serv e a nd I hope  th ei ndustry  c on t inuesto r ec ognize  themf or i t .  On a separate t hough t ,  whil e  it ’s go tt en a lo t  eas ier to put  your mater ial ou t th ere
 first_guess was_because the Austin show_was experimental,_the_host helps_manage_the audience’s expectations_that comedians are_trying out stuff they’ve_never done before,_outside_of traditional stand-up. My second guess was the audience in New York hated my_stinking_guts.

TrunkSpace: Does_a_receptive_and willing audience fuel your_fire of funny and help_to put_you on your game for the rest of_your_set?Ross: Definitely, because_it makes it easier to play off of their_energy and even stray a bit_from my set,_improvising_new_lines from what they’re_reacting strongest to in the performance._But I’ve learned not to be_dependent on the audience for that every_time because if the energy isn’t_there, it’s still on me_to finish_my set strong. They’ll notice_when I’m nervous_or lose_confidence in my_material.

Photo By: Tess Cagle

TrunkSpace: What is_your most memorable_performance experience (good or bad!) that_will_stick with you_for_the_rest of_your career and_why?Ross:_Last year_after_my Aunt Dawn, who I was_really_close with, passed away, I dedicated an_episode of “That Time_of_the Month” to her,_including a monologue memorializing her._I was nervous about performing an_emotional comedy_set, but_it ended up being very therapeutic during a tough time.

TrunkSpace: How_do you handle hecklers? What approach_do you take?Ross: I_track down_a_place they like_to_frequent, such_as a coffee shop or public park,_stage a_meet cute, date them for several_years, establish a level_of_intimacy and unbreakable bond that leads_to marriage, get pregnant, move into_a refurbished farmhouse upstate to_raise_our_kids, build a life for_ourselves over a span of five_decades, care for_them in their old age, and just_as_they’re lying on their death bed_and_we’re sharing our last moment together,_I_lean_over and whisper-scream, “IT’S NOT_YOUR FUCKING TURN TO TALK.”

TrunkSpace: What_are your thoughts on the stand-up landscape in 2018?_Are you optimistic_for the future of live_comedy?Ross:_I’m_excited about diverse voices finally getting the bigger platforms they_deserve and_I hope the_industry continues to recognize them for it. On a separate_thought, while it’s gotten a lot easier_to put your material out there