Aniria (she has a last name, Turney, but it sounds cooler to just use her first name — like Cher, or Thanos) has been a stand-up comedian for several years, winning our Best of the Bay "Best Up-and-Coming Comedian" award a couple of years back. She's also become a working actress, with appearances on the network drama Chicago Med and the Netflix movie Naked starring Marlon Wayans.
She hasn't ignored stand-up, of course. In fact, she's performing in two different upcoming shows at the Palladium Side Door in St. Petersburg. One of them is part of the regular Ward Smith & Friends series, where local comedy vet Smith puts together an evening featuring top local talent; the other show, Girls Night Out, has Aniria working alongside two other funny female comedians.
We asked Aniria about comedy, acting and the differences between the two upcoming shows.
You did comedy for several years before starting your acting career. What made you pursue that direction, and was it difficult getting started?
I opened up for comedian Dean Napolitano, and it was the first time we met. After my set he asked me if I had ever thought about acting. He encouraged me to try it by telling me how the TV and film credits would help in getting booked for comedy. For me, personally, it was difficult getting started. Like anything else, learning a new skill is scary, especially when it is in an arena where others are watching.
How has your comedy experience helped your acting career?
Most people who start acting and have no performance background have to overcome performance anxiety. Having been a comic first, I was used to being in front of an audience so I wasn’t as shy. Dealing with hecklers and my experience with comebacks on stage helped me carry scenes when lines were forgotten.
What skills have you learned from acting that you now use in your stand-up?
Acting has helped my stand-up greatly! Acting has taught me the importance of inflection in a scene and I have applied that to my stand-up, not just in voice but also in action to keep it entertaining with highs and lows.
You're on two upcoming shows at The Palladium Side Door, each with different lineups. What makes each show different and what can comedy fans expect from them?
I am super excited for both shows! The first show I get to perform with some amazing comics that have been on the circuit for many years, like Ward Smith and Tim The Dairy Farmer. These guys have the experience to please an audience and never disappoint! The thing I look forward to the most is that I get to perform with the person who brought me up for my very first time to do stand-up, Lou Angelwolf.
The second show is also a treat but for different reasons. It is a goddess night! I get to work with some of the baddest bitches in the business. I have worked with The Princess of Parodies (Traci Kanaan) for years and she is one of my favorites. Her show is so unique because in combines music, laughs, and a little bit of naughtiness that I so appreciate. Sheena Regan has also been on the circuit with me for some time and she is a spitfire! Both of these ladies bring it!
What are your next steps in both acting and comedy, and do you see yourself ever giving up one for the other?
My next step in comedy are to submit to comedy festivals. I submitted to a few this year and so far I was accepted to The Burbank [CA] Comedy Festival. I hope to get some exposure with people in the industry through these festivals so I can pursue bookings outside of Florida.
For acting, I am already in my next steps. I have some great agents that have been getting me some pretty amazing auditions for feature films and several new TV series.
I don’t think I could ever give one up over the other. Although I will always be a comic first, I never thought I’d fall in love with acting the way I have. I hope that I get to do both forever.
Stay up-to-date on Tampa Bay comedy, arts, film, music, events and more — subscribe to our newsletters.
This article appears in Jul 25 – Aug 1, 2019.