Cat Alvarado On Finding Community Through Laughter

Pour OverAl Grano

Sep 15

“And so comedy, I feel, really brings me closer to every other human around me. You know, and if I'm doing it right, we're all sharing a common experience. That's why we're laughing at it. And that's a really beautiful thing.”

Cat Alvarado is a Nicaraguan-American comedian who’s accidentally dated a white supremacist. In her debut comedy album, Off-White, Alvarado tackles her Latinidad while being half-white, religion, divorce, contouring, sex and dating. She is a heartfelt storyteller, who welcomes you to join her on a hilarious journey filled with awkward attempts to “fit in” and “feel like a real Latina.”

Cat sat down to chat about her writing process for Off-White, how to be adaptive with feedback, and what she’s looking forward to as she grows as a comedian.

Listen to Off-White

Rebecca Richardson: So, we love our coffee here at Cafe con Pam. What’s your go-to coffee shop?
Cat Alvarado: Sure. I love a coffee shop called Tortoni. It’s not too far from where I live. It's actually owned by, I believe, an Argentinian family. And they have some really creative lattes. My favorite one they have is, like, a nut latte, and it's got, like, peanut butter and almond milk and coconut. And so it's, really, nutty and delicious. It's almost like coffee with peanut butter. And they have great empanadas with chimichurri. I'm all about it!
Richardson: Wow. That sounds delicious. So what’s been influencing you lately?
Alvarado: So this year, I concluded my debut album, Off-White. And a lot of that album was driven by my quest for making peace with my identity and that journey, you know, trying to find a belonging community in religion and education and everywhere I could look. I've kind of entered a new phase of life. I'm in the most serious relationship I've been in since my marriage ended.
Richardson: That’s huge, congrats!
Alvarado: Yeah, thank you, now that that album is over. I'm kind of like finding things to write about in the new album and reflecting on where I am right now. So it's kind of like a blank slate. It's a really freeing time, to not be beholden to all the material I've already written, because I think when you're writing an album and you're towards the end, and you're almost finished. Everything you're writing has to fit in with the rest, so you're still kind of on that train. Right now the train can go wherever I want it to go. Since reflecting on a new period of my life, I'm in my thirties, it's different now. I'm no longer, in my twenties. Twenties was, like, hot girl summer extended. And thirties is a bit more chill, a bit more introspective, you know, fewer jokes about dating, more jokes about using an air fryer.
Richardson: On that note, what does your writing process look like? Has it changed over the years?
Alvarado: I always try to write organically. I will just freely write a lot and kind of whatever's in my heart will pour out and a joke will come from just, my heart onto the page eventually. Now, I think I'm trying to storytell more. I think that's been another change for me. When I was a younger comic, it was more about getting those liners? Like, what's those punches in, or what's, like, a snarky observation about this or that? And, now I'm a storyteller in a way to talk about experiences, but, like, from beginning to end. I'm not just like, this happened, and these people are dumb because x, y, z, it's like, oh my gosh. I got catfished, and this is how it went down.
Richardson: I really enjoyed Off-White. So why did you title it Off-White? And I guess, why did you record a comedy album? I know comics still do this today, but, you know, it's not as common. What was that process like and what did you learn from it?
Alvarado: Oh, thank you. So I had an ongoing conversation with some folks at a streaming service. I don't wanna jinx it, so I don't I won't say what. I proposed my special for the Hollywood Fringe Festival back in June 2022. And I invited a producer to watch it, and he was like, look, I love this. I can't stop thinking about this show you put together, but I like the parts about, you know, being a woman, about your first marriage, and all that. And he's like, the parts about being Latino, you could do without. I don't really wanna put those into a special. I was like, what? I love those. Those are awesome. So since I kind of had the answer right there, I was like, okay. This show in its current incarnation will not be a special, but it's so much good comedy. It's funny. It has insight. It has heart. I was like, it has to go somewhere. And so once you've got that no, it's a little bit freeing because you could do whatever you want with that material.
And the conversation is still ongoing. There is still potential. It's just a different incarnation of some of the material. So then I had the task of being very selective. You know, what pieces of this one woman show do I save for a potential special when that time comes? And what parts do I love and need to put in this album? And which ones do I think I can convince the producers I can repeat? So with that, I had to be very rigorous with myself thinking, okay, really what theme do each of these jokes fall under, and categorize them. And then once I did that, I found okay I wanna have at least 50 minutes of material for the album. I am falling short. I'm at 40. Well, okay. What does that mean? I have to write another 10. That is consistent with the theme of the album and that wouldn't be able to live on the special. So that involved a lot more introspection. And, I had to write faster than I'd ever written before because at that point, it was like, okay, t minus 1 month until the album. So I had about 1 month to write another new 10 minutes, and put that on the album, but that 10 minutes ends up being really cool, and I feel like you probably can't tell which 10 it was.
Richardson: Which 10 minutes?
Alvarado: It would be the bit called “Lobster To-Go.” Which is about an accidental date with a Neo Nazi.
Richardson: Oh that does connect really well. So, you said that the producer wanted you to be less Latino. And what did you think about that at first?
Alvarado: This was a Latino producer, by the way, and a great guy. With the entertainment industry, you have to be very open minded and understanding with their feedback and notes, because it can seem like it might mean the one thing on the surface but it actually means something else. So he's worked with a lot of other Latin comics. So for him, he's seen a lot of these themes before and done very well. So for him personally, you know, for a producer, a special is as much their creative baby as it is my creative baby. Even though I'm the one writing it. The producer is investing tens of thousands of dollars in a special. So they get to say it. They get to have some say and for him, I think he wants to do something really unique. And the Latino stuff was not as unique as the other stuff, which has a bit more to do with themes around womanhood and tradition.
Richardson: That's interesting because you have so much going on here. Like what it means to have this mixed identity, which I also can relate too. Honestly, for me, to say that there's too much of my Latinidad, I would have taken it to hear and you're taking it in a way that's like, no! I could grow from this. And it's probably pushing me to do more in a different way.
Alvarado: I would never have written what I did had I never been dared to talk about, white supremacy and that element of my identity... Let me rephrase that.
No, the other side of being mixed, and especially in this political environment. And my family is actually, like, incredibly sweet and nice and nobody related to me is a white supremacist! But there are people out there who would say to someone who's half white. Like, why don't you embrace this side more? So I would never have thought to actually write about that topic had he not said, hey, I don't wanna do the special this way. So in filling that out, I had to think about, like, what unique experiences do I have that address this theme or kinda are on the same note? And so, yeah, I found that one.
Richardson: Well I’m glad you were pushed in that direction. Before we wrap up here, Cat, is there anything you’d like to add?
Alvarado: It was so fun creating Off-White and working with my record label. And I really hope that more people listen to it and that they can find some sort of comfort and feel less alone in their quest for identity, especially those who are diaspora kids like us. Because we do share experiences. And one of my favorite things about doing comedy is that people only laugh if they can relate to it. I've found so much comfort in knowing my experiences are not unique. Oddly enough, you'd think that in trying to be a performer, it's a quest for how I'm special. But in comedy, it's all about finding the ways I am not at all special. How I am the same as everybody else. And so comedy, I feel, really brings me closer to every other human around me. You know, and if I'm doing it right, we're all sharing a common experience. That's why we're laughing at it. And that's a really beautiful thing.

In the vast universe of comedy, a new star has emerged with a distinct voice and a mission to entertain and educate. Cat Alvarado, a talented comedian and host of the thought-provoking podcast "The Villains of History," has captivated audiences with her unique style and keen insights into democracy, dictatorships, and the power dynamics that drive history. Join us as we unravel the influences and evolution of Cat Alvarado's comedy, providing a sneak peek into her latest debut album, "Off White."

"The Villains of History" podcast offers a fascinating exploration of the dark underbelly of humanity's past. Cat Alvarado delves into the stories of infamous historical figures, unearthing the disturbing truths behind their rise to power. Inspired by her own Nicaraguan heritage and a longing to incorporate her identity into her comedy, Cat embarked on a journey to shed light on the dynamics between bad leaders, absolute power, and their impact on society.Cat Alvarado's passion for storytelling shines through in her stand-up performances. From her early days as a quick-witted comedian to her current phase as a masterful storyteller, Cat's evolution can be traced through her material.

Influenced by notable comedians like Mike Birbiglia and Atsuko Okatsuka, Cat has honed her ability to weave intricate narratives that captivate audiences from start to finish. Her storytelling approach allows her to delve into personal experiences while keeping the audience engaged and entertained.As Cat enters a new phase in her life, she finds herself reflecting on her experiences in her thirties. The transition brings a shift from lighthearted reflections on dating to more introspective humor, occasionally focusing on everyday aspects of life, such as using an air fryer. This transition represents a newfound freedom in her writing process, allowing her to explore a blank slate and embrace the next chapter of her comedic journey.

Cat Alvarado's journey in comedy is a testament to her ability to infuse humor with critical thought and storytelling prowess. Whether on her podcast or on stage, she continues to showcase her talent and unique perspective. Her debut album, "Off White," offers a glimpse into her personal quest for identity, peace, and belonging, making it a must-listen for comedy enthusiasts.

Explore the fascinating world of Cat Alvarado's comedy and join her on a journey through history, identity, and the power of laughter. From her podcast to her stand-up performances, Cat Alvarado leaves an indelible mark, challenging audiences to think critically while giving them a much-needed dose of humor. Don't miss out on this rising star as she continues to push boundaries and entertain the world with her insightful and thought-provoking comedy.

More About Cat

Cat Alvarado is a Nicaraguan-American comedian who turned her journey as a Latina misfit into an award-winning one-woman show. She’s performed at Laughing Skull and The Big Pine Comedy Festival. She premiered her hour at the 2022 Hollywood Fringe Festival to rave reviews, winning a Producer’s Encore Award. She was also a featured comedian at the 2022 Great American Comedy Festival. She made her TV stand-up debut on PBS’s First Nations Comedy Experience in 2018. She is also the creator and host of the Villains of History podcast, a cohost on the Unofficial Official Story podcast, and a frequent guest co-host on YouTube’s Reel Rejects.