Crosscurrents

Comedian Kate Willett doesn't need you to like her

By Jen Chien

Published December 3, 2015 at 5:10 PM PST

San Francisco comedian Kate Willett is used to not fitting in, which makes her perfect for stand-up comedy. Willett takes her weirdness to the stage to challenge ideas about what women can and cannot do.

She spoke with KALW’s Jen Chien about using humor to get her point across.

Kate Willett: Some people were laughing but some people were also really mad at me. I could see some of the people being like, "Wow! I hope my granddaughter's life is nothing like this."

You can catch Willett hosting the comedy showcase “The Mission Position” every Thursday at the Cynic Cave at San Francisco's Lost Weekend Video on Valencia Street.

Crosscurrents

Jen Chien

Jen Chien was the managing editor for Crosscurrents and KALW News from 2016 to 2018. She has been a contributor to All Things Considered, Radio Netherlands Worldwide, BBC/PRI’s The World, Making Contact, SF Public Press, East Bay Express, New America Media, and KPFA in Berkeley, where she took part in the First Voice Apprenticeship Program. She is the recipient of the 2013 Outstanding Emerging Journalist Award from the Society of Professional Journalists of Northern California. She holds a BA in American Studies from Smith College, and an MA in Interdisciplinary Performance from New College of California. Before entering the field of journalism, she had a successful career as a professional dance and theater artist, teacher, and massage therapist.

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