No I’m not being facetious or sarcastic. My daughter is a comedian.

Of my three children, my number two has never exhibited the classic traits of middle child syndrome.

Ridiculously confident, outgoing, and gregarious from birth, Olivia’s quick wit, and knack for remembering lines from every movie she’s ever watched, led her directly into theater. When cast as the Little Gingerbread Boy in her Kindergarten Graduation skit, Olivia promptly exclaimed to her teacher, “That means I’m the star right?”

She’s always had a flare for the dramatic, but really preferred to make people laugh.

Olivia is a trained actress. Since graduating from college though, she spends her days as an administrative assistant and her evenings learning the ropes and making her way in Milwaukee’s improv community.

Working full time, attending improv classes, and performing most weekends, we don’t get to see enough of Liv or her performances. Milwaukee is three hours away after all. It might as well be three days.

For the first time in many months; however, Grumpa and I were finally able to take in a show.

Olivia is the first to admit she’s still learning. After any show I’ve seen, she’ll preface her usual request for feedback with, “I know you’re not an improv fan, but what did you think?”

I don’t know how she does it, but she always seems to have her eye on me.

True confessions:

• She’s right, I don’t like improv. I don’t understand it’s nuances and it’s special brand of randomness.
• For this reason, I’m rarely (if ever) as demonstrative as others watching the show.
• I really don’t care that much about the rest of the show. I just want to see Olivia.

So when presented with this question, how can I respond and not come across as a totally obnoxious, biased stage mom?

Ultimately this is what I think….

Expressive, quick, and responsive, Olivia never ceases to amaze me. I wait anxiously at the edge of my seat for my girl to tap in and am immediately lost in delightful revelry because she’s funny, she’s really funny!

If you’re in the Milwaukee area, take in a show at ComedySportz or grab a beer at Urban Harvest when they host Mojo Dojo. You’re bound to see my daughter, the comedian, lighting up the stage.