Interview: Kristen Hensley And Jen Smedley of MOM'S NIGHT OUT: SUMMER BREAK TOUR

So, there is this duo of dynamite ladies who sling comedic prose like yesterday's dirty diaper but when it lands, smells a whole lot better. They are intelligent, witty, and downright ornery in every positive way possible. Their names are Kristen Hensley and Jen Smedley and they are the stars and genius creators of the web series, #IMOMSOHARD, which started less than a year ago and currently has about two million views per episode. They are appearing this summer at different venues across the U.S. in their show, MOM'S NIGHT OUT: SUMMER BREAK TOUR. And since the comediennes speak from which they know women can be anointed in the knowledge that parental perfection is a fallacy, womanhood is a reign of supreme juxtapositions, and life is to be lived earnestly and without fault. Throwing Hensley's and Smedley's god-given gift of absolutely essential gab into the equation, a night out attending one of their concerts is something that will drench you in giddiness and leave you with the complete comprehension of what it means to a fallible human.

While they are touring, I had the opportunity to ask Hensley and Smedley a few questions.

Christy Brooks: What can you tell me about the first day you met one another?

Kristen Hensley: We should have met nearly 20 years ago but we didn't. We literally went to college in the same town, had all the same friends, moved to LA, studied comedy, performed at the same places, knew all the same people, then we moved a block apart in Venice, both were VERY single, probably made-out with the same bartender and then, finally, we met at some weird off-shoot theater while having beers in the parking lot. When we met I just kept thinking "HOW IS THIS THE FIRST TIME WE ARE MEETING EACH OTHER?"

Christy Brooks: Where did you go to school and what was your major?

Kristen Hensley: I went to the University of Nebraska, in Lincoln. I have a degree in Theater and English and also a Master's in Education. That's a lie. I have two more classes and THEN I'll have my Master's but close enough right?

Jen Smedley: I went to Nebraska Wesleyan and studied theater and communications and minored in writing. I normally lie by omission and just say "I went to Wesleyan."

Christy Brooks: Have you considered doing any other profession?

Kristen Hensley: I was a teacher for seven years and I loved it. In another universe I was either an animator at Pixar or a Forrest Ranger. I do very well in a strong cargo short.

Jen Smedley: I don't know if I thought much about any other profession but I have had a million other jobs. I like to self-diagnose so I wonder if I was a doctor in another life.

Christy Brooks: What is the worst thing that has happened while performing? How did you recover?

Kristen Hensley: The great thing about performing with your best friend is that when something horrifying happens on stage (or in life) your good friend is there to pick up the pieces and LAUGH at it. I feel like Jen likes to tell this story. In all fairness, she broke a chair on stage and I peed my pants.

Jen Smedley: She also split her pants while improvising a high kick in leather pants in front of 2,000 people and I also laughed. Both ended up being great material and a blessing from the theater gods.

Christy Brooks: Do you have a script outline for each show? How much of your show is improvised?

Kristen Hensley: Yes. We open the show with a montage of videos and then we do a 40-minute standup set. We worked really hard on it and luckily, my husband, who is also an improviser/actor/funny guy, directed our live show. He was instrumental in guiding the ship, so to speak, so we could stay true to our voice. We talk about things that are a little more "nighttime" than our videos are. This is a night for women, especially moms, to let loose and laugh at this life we have. It's a wonderful sight to see over 1,000 women laughing at something that's universal. We talk less about our kids and more about the things you might talk about with your best friend. Only we do it in public. The second half of the show is improvised. We answer questions from the audience and that is always a thrill.

Christy Brooks: What do you like most about touring? What do you like least?

Kristen Hensley: I actually love touring. It's like camping. I dig anything when you have an excuse not to shower. It's been so fun riding on the tour bus and seeing our kids play. There have been several moments when I stop and think "Wow. This is really bad-ass." What do I like least? Hotels that don't invest in a decent hair dryer. I used one the other day that started smoking.

Jen Smedley: Not having to cook dinner is nice. But missing our families is hard when we're apart.

Christy Brooks: How do you resolve conflict between the two of you?

Kristen Hensley: We wrestle. Seriously though, we get along really well. And we both understand that there are going to be tense and stressful moments. Wine seems to help. Wine seems to help everything.

Jen Smedley: We both have respect for each other's opinions and ideas. And we went into this knowing that we were both equally hard workers, but not realizing how important that would be. We know we're both doing all we can in moments and it makes us be a little kinder.

Christy Brooks: When did you know that your act was something you could make a living doing?

Kristen Hensley: Jen and I have been working actors/writers for a while. We both have a strong comedy background. Then we became moms and we were forced to sit the bench for a while. After that we both felt excited and driven to "do something." After our third video, we booked our first live gig. And the rest....

Jen Smedley: Don't jinx us, please.

Christy Brooks: In a society that glorifies female perfection, (be it physical or mental) such as the U.S. does, how do you believe your comedy act sets itself apart?

Jen Smedley: May I say that all the things that men get to laugh about are the things we are told that we should be ashamed of. We turn that concept on its ear. We say out loud what's wrong with us and the nice thing is its "wrong" with pretty much all of us. A lot of laughs we get are unanimous "me too's."

Kristen Hensley: The way I look at it is we get this one life, so live it.

Christy Brooks: How do you deal with the naysayers regarding your comedy act and/or your profession as comediennes?

Kristen Hensley: The same way I deal with my kids, I ignore them.

Jen Smedley: We have friends in this business, long-time friends, and they know how hard we've worked/trained/sacrificed. If they said something bad, it might hurt, but everybody else can kick rocks. The people around us and those we've met have been awesome and supportive. Women are especially awesome.

Kristen Hensley and Jen Smedley are two contemporary comediennes who will be playing to audiences for many years to come. Go see their show. Go for the positive validation. Go for the brilliant comedy. Just go. Your person will thank you.

#IMOMSOHARD's latest video on summer bathing suits has over 18 million views. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/imomsohard/videos/2458307990976573/

Episodes and information on the MOM'S NIGHT OUT: SUMMER BREAK TOUR can be found at: www.imomsohard.com.

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