The HaHa Report: Molina Molina

Producer, podcast host, stand-up, improviser, writer, influencer. These are hardly enough words to describe the mega-talent that is Molina Molina.

With just three years in the Seattle comedy scene at the age of 23, she has taken the city by storm. I caught up with her to chat comedy, harnessing your voice, and much more as she gears up to perform for her second consecutive year at the San Francisco Sketch Festival (the largest sketch festival), featuring talent like the cast of Futurama and Bill Murray in January 2025.

SaraJo Geiger (SJG): Did you grow up around here?

Molina Molina (MM): Kinda, I grew up in the suburbs of Renton, just south of Seattle. But I've been in this area pretty much my whole life. Growing up I didn't really go to Seattle that much, though. When I went to UW was when I spent more time in the city. It's awesome, I love it here. 

SJG: So, okay, what did you study?

MM: Geography.

SJG: No way!

MM: Yeah I know, I wasn't planning on majoring in geography. The two majors that I had interest in were like the two of the most competitive majors. I wasn’t quite sure what to do, then my counselor told me about the geography department, how they have a program which is in combination with computer science-type stuff. And so, I went down that route, which I didn’t see myself in initially, but ultimately it ended up working out great. I got an internship which turned into a job, and now I have a full-time role that supports my comedy fully.

Self portrait / Molina Molina

SJG: Do you ever find it difficult working a typical 9-5 with comedy in the evening? Do you have a self-care routine to avoid burnout?

MM: Yeah, it was tricky for a while, but I feel lucky because I’ve struck a healthy work/life balance now. Self care…Not sure, haha, working on that still. 

SJG: So you're a co-founder of Kitchen Sink Comedy alongside Ian Crowley—

MM: Well really quick I have to say, I didn’t have many male friends for a long time. When I met Ian, he was like my “starter” male friend. He changed the game for me, and I love his comedy. 

SJG: Do you mind if I quote you exactly on that for this piece?

MM: Go for it.

SJG: Amazing, thank you…Okay so what was the engine behind creating a space for alternative comedy like your own?

MM: I feel like my own path in comedy was the engine. I know I’ve been really influenced by my travels. Visiting other cities, I could better view my own style. New York is such a big part of my voice, I’m obsessed with the Brooklyn comedy scene. 

SJG: What's different about the Brooklyn versus the Seattle scene?

MM: There's just so much more weird shit going on. When I was starting out, you’d really only get the standard show, set up punchline. I loved that people weren’t afraid to include characters, or total left-field tonal shifts mid set. 

SJG: What's the difference between “traditional” stand-up, where you’re more or less playing a heightened character of yourself, and then doing stuff like you saw in Brooklyn? 

MM: Alternative just feels better for me, I find it more interesting. I find myself to be a socially awkward person and I have moments where it's like, I don't know how to behave or act right now—and I’ve seen a lot of those comedians before.

SJG: Sure, but you would be different because you’re speaking from your own experiences, right?

MM: Yeah, but man the weird absurd stuff is where I find most fun. Don’t get me wrong, I'm okay with making people uncomfortable and like being awkward too, but there’s more interesting ways to do that which I get to explore in characters unlike myself but deeply authentic to me.

SJG: Like your character, Gary?

MM: Yes, my boyfriend.

[Gary is a character Molina plays in a mustache where she’s her own boyfriend. He’s simultaneously boring and omnipresent; audiences hate (love) him.]

SJG: Where did your love for comedy begin?

MM: In middle school and high school I listened to a lot of comedy podcasts, Exploration City and Comedy Bang Bang were huge for me. I loved the weird dubs they made over movies, and the nonsensical character interviews. Those were influential in the development of my later work—

SJG: Like the Taylor Swift karaoke track about you falling in love with a French Bed Bug?

MM: Exactly, yes.

SJG: What was the first time doing comedy like?

MM: My friend Stephanie Nam was hosting a comedy show that was like a queer dating show, and I was on it. I really loved the feeling of being on stage and, yeah I just went from there.

SJG: What's something you've learned from the times when you bombed? 

MM: Oh my gosh. I'm so grateful for those earlier open mics, because I’ve gained so much confidence after bombing. Like now I'm not afraid to bomb. I feel like it’s big thing, a fear, and it’s really important that every comedian has to go through. Just, be comfortable with bombing. If you don’t have the confidence you gain from it later down the road, when you do eventually bomb, you’ll shrink away, and that can just ruin the rest of a potentially strong set. 

SJG: Do you think you would ever move to Brooklyn? 

MM: I think yeah, that's definitely something that I'm considering. Within my lifetime, I would just like to have that experience.

SJG: And for my final question, I and many others view you as “one to watch” in the comedy scene, are there any folks on your list?

MM: Lindsey Andersen, Ian Crowley, and literally so many others. It’s just exciting to watch everyone grow, I can’t wait to see where everyone goes from here.

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Molina Molina’s humor is an essential part of Seattle’s comedy scene, and I can’t wait to see how her acts evolve in the future.