THIS week we chat with local comedic force Julieta Mateo, who, as you will soon discover, took up improvisation and stand-up in lieu of three staple pastimes from Argentina, her native country – playing soccer, dancing tango, and making asado.<\/p>\n
What motivated you to take up comedy?<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m Argentinian, and as the saying goes, we\u2019re famous for three things: playing soccer, dancing tango, and making asado.<\/p>\n Early on, I realised those worlds were mostly male-dominated.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re Argentinian, people expect you to play soccer well, dance passionately, or make a terrific, unforgettable asado.<\/p>\n I tried all three.<\/p>\n Turns out, they\u2019re physically demanding – and mostly run by men who take their meat (and their dance steps) very seriously.<\/p>\n So, I found my niche in improvisation and stand-up comedy.<\/p>\n Sure, it\u2019s still pretty male-dominated, but at least the only thing on fire is your set.<\/p>\n Plus, comedy lets me roast more than just beef.<\/p>\n How would you describe your comedic style?<\/strong><\/p>\n Very self-reflective and critical of my surroundings.<\/p>\n I love improvising and responding to the moment.<\/p>\n Lately I\u2019ve been exploring stand-up – I\u2019m fascinated by how much you learn about yourself and your audience through the process.<\/p>\n Which other comedians inspire you?<\/strong><\/p>\n My inspirations range from Charles Chaplin to Jerry Seinfeld – they\u2019ve definitely helped shape my approach to comedy.<\/p>\n I also admire Hannah Gadsby for her raw honesty and unfiltered communication.<\/p>\n Have you had any mentors over your career?<\/strong><\/p>\n Not so much since moving to Australia, but I had several in Argentina and Spain who helped guide me on my journey.<\/p>\n What are some highlights you have from your time following your pursuits so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n Some highlights include being part of a TV program in Argentina and having the chance to travel the world because of it.<\/p>\n Running an improv company in Spain was a huge milestone.<\/p>\n More recently, participating in events like Women of Wit and the Raw Comedy Festival in Bendigo.<\/p>\n How can people check out your work online?<\/strong><\/p>\n Most of my work happens in person, but after a few upcoming shows this year, I\u2019ll be sharing more online.<\/p>\n What are you working on at the moment?<\/strong><\/p>\n Right now, I\u2019m running adult improv comedy classes and programs to help people learn to play and connect.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll be doing stand-up at the Women of Wit Bendigo show and in Castlemaine in July.<\/p>\n I\u2019m also putting together a solo show for the Bendigo Comedy Festival and getting an improv company together called Improvisto, with a series of shows planned for early 2027.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an exciting new chapter!<\/p>\n