Julia Stephens is a writer and performer based in Los Angeles and New York City. Her work spans theatre, film, and non-fiction with essays published in the New York Times. She is currently working on a television series while developing new plays. Julia has long created and performed her own work, from digital projects such as Really It’s Rita and Ctrl+Alt+Underground to her current play, ROOMIES, which marks her debut as both playwright and performer on stage.
How did you get into comedy/writing/producing etc?
I’ve always loved making people laugh. Both of my parents had strong, but very different, senses of humour and I think that shaped me early on. In third grade, I was writing stories about squirrels and reading them aloud to my class. My squirrel family had weekly chapters; I read an insane amount of books; and I’d always pick “dare over truth” because the thrill of the laugh was way better than telling people a secret. I was acting a lot too and during the era of Broad City and Girls my manager encouraged me to start creating my own work.
I’d taken some screenwriting classes and had always imagined I’d write a novel someday, but that push really propelled me into making things happen. It all started to click: I loved writing, I loved making people laugh, and I was very very good at organising people and taking initiative. I produced my first project at twenty, a fashion film, and by twenty-one I had created my first web series. I figured out how to secure great locations for free and pull together teams in a scrappy, resourceful way that worked for indie projects. Looking back, it was really the combination of those instincts; comedy, writing, and leadership, that sparked everything.
Tell us about your comedy style.
On a day-to-day basis, I tend to lean toward dry, witty comedy. That’s the tone I naturally write in; more understated, a little sharper. But at the same time, I really love stepping into heightened, more exaggerated characters, especially as a performer.
In my solo show ROOMIES, you have these two characters that are so different thrown into the same space, which naturally creates a strong comedic landscape. That kind of dynamic really excites me. I’m drawn to that balance; grounded, dry humour alongside moments that are bigger, stranger, and a little more unhinged. It’s really fun!
What’s your show about and where can we see it?
ROOMIES is about a 29-year-old former L.A. it-girl and an 18-year-old schizophrenic that are stuck in a treatment facility together. It’s about to be the it-girl’s 30th birthday and she’s with the last VIP she ever wanted on her guest list. It’s premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer from August 5 – 31 (not 18th) at 1PM at Underbelly!
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Mostly real life. I’ll find myself in situations or just observing them, that feel so absurd, and no one else is laughing, but I can already see the scene. Or strange people I’ve met, really normal people I’ve met make great characters. Those moments stick with me. And honestly, if you can’t laugh at yourself and your own life, you’re kind of doomed.
What do you think makes great comedy/content/sitcom/etc?
I’m drawn to comedies that are grounded in truth, stories that feel pulled from real life but are sharpened into something funny and a little heightened. Shows like Fleabag, Barry, Search Party, and Hacks come to mind. They balance humour with something real and often a bit uncomfortable. Offbeat, a little strange, but grounded.
Any advice for those taking their first show to Edinburgh?
Get a good team that can really support you, especially if it’s a solo show. It’s only you so everyone on board needs to be really passionate about your show, excited to go to the fringe, and down with being a little scrappy. Start early. If you’re able, visit the fringe a year or two before you perform to get a feel of the landscape.
What do you love about comedy/writing/producing?
Writing dialogue and funny scenes, then acting them, seeing it come to life. The creative process is the most fulfilling. Producing Edinburgh is difficult as an international artist, but what I do love about producing is the autonomy. I don’t need to wait for anyone to give me an opportunity. I know how to create it.
Keep up to date with Julia on Instagram.
Tickets and more information can be found here!
