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Industry News
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Monica Piper
Born in New York, Monica inherited an affinity for comedy from her father, a performer in the post-vaudeville era. "Being around him was a great introduction to comedy," she recalls. "He was hilarious." She attended the renowned High School of Music and Art, but was torn between the performing arts and a desire to teach. Earning a degree in English from Boston University, she taught high school English in Yonkers and later moved to Chicago to teach in a tough inner-city school. It was at this time she joined Second City's celebrated workshop, honing her skills. Monica later moved to San Francisco, continuing to split her pursuits between education and comedy. It was there she joined the resident group at the Holy City Zoo and polished her skills opposite master Robin Williams, nightly. She was inspired as well, by stand-ups such as Dana Carvey and A. Whitney Brown. When her marriage to a San Francisco attorney ended, Monica moved to Los Angeles and became a regular at the Comedy Store and then the Improv. Following her appearance on the Showtime Comedy Club Network, Monica was chosen as one of the six comics to be featured on the first Showtime Comedy Club All-Star Special. She has been profiled on "Entertainment Tonight" and as voted by The Hollywood Reporter, as one of the top ten comedians who are "hot, fresh, and headed for the top" and in 1990 she signed with Showtime to become one of the network's twelve resident comics. Just this year, Monica was nominated as one of the 5 funniest comediennes for the American Comedy awards. After "Roseanne" Monica continues to headline at venues across the country and will add to her list of television appearances, which includes the premier episode of "London Underground," the acclaimed PBS special "Comedy Tonight's Tenth Anniversary" and most recently, her own Cable Ace nominated Showtime Special, "No, Monica…Just You," aired last February. Whether writing for television of her own act as a performer, Monica will continue to be recognized by the industry and the public.
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