 Senior public relations major Katy M. Conroy appears at "Leslie," her alter ego. Photo by Holt Menzies | The Appalachian Despite the setback, she was still smiling and laughing.
“I try to find humor in everything. If you don’t laugh about it, you will cry later,” Conroy said.
Since Conroy was nine, she has dreamt about appearing on Saturday Night Live (SNL).
“I used to act out the [SNL] skits, I’ve always been obsessed with comedy and Steve Martin,” she said.
Conroy never thought to pursue comedy until her arrival at Appalachian State University. I have always been an observational comic, turning awkward situations into a comedic moment, Conroy said.
Conroy first dipped into comedy while in high school. As the designated driver for her friends, Conroy began prank calling people at her friend’s request and speaking in a different accent.
From prank calling grew Conroy’s self-dubbed alter ego, Leslie Danger Steverson.
“I had a routine, Leslie would call people at one in the morning and say she was supposed to call earlier but couldn’t because she had family game night,” Conroy said.
Leslie speaks with a lisp and is a big nerd. She parts her hair down the middle and wears high-waisted skirts with suspenders. She plays the recorder.
As her routine grew, Conroy spread her act to Facebook and then YouTube. She went on to apply for an opportunity to be Jimmy Fallon’s intern as Leslie.
Anna L. Brooks, senior geography major, has known Conroy since the third grade and was around for the birth of Leslie.
“In high school, she started doing Leslie,” Brooks said. “That’s when I became closest with her, when she would prank call people and do her Leslie voice.”
Currently, Conroy is performing stand-up every other Tuesday night at Koncepts Hookah Lounge at 10 p.m.
“It is so hard to get up on stage and hope people laugh at you,” Michelle N. Grasty, senior psychology major, said. “I think that most people will appreciate her observations because most of what she notices turns into comedy.”
Conroy is moving to Chicago in July and will begin classes at DePaul University. She will also be taking night classes at The Second City, the world’s premier comedy theatre and school of improvisation, according to secondcity.com.
Conroy previously spent two weeklong workshops during the summer learning the art of comedy.
She credits her friends for giving her the support she needs to continue pursuing her dream.
“It is so meaningful to have such good friends and family,” she said. “Every week I have so many good friends and family at my shows, it’s so good to have people who support you, no matter what you do.”
Story: MARY ELIZABETH ROBERTSON, Intern Lifestyles Reporter
Photo: HOLT MENZIES, Chief Photographer |
