PHOTO BY JACOB WALSH
Comedian Shirelle Kinder, seen here at Comedy @ the Carlson, says she hasn't performed stand-up since the pandemic took hold.
A year ago February, things were clicking for comedian Shirelle Kinder.
That month, she had achieved her goal of performing in New York City when she was featured at the “All Black Everything” comedy showcase. She shared a stage with rising stars Jay Jurden and Opeyemi Olagbaju. She received positive feedback and made connections.
“I was so excited,” said Kinder, who lives in Rochester. “And then the world closed down.”
Kinder hasn’t done stand-up since the pandemic took hold. First, the clubs closed down. Then, she was unable to translate her brand of comedy to the virtual space. After a while, the events of the last year took a toll, even on someone who trades in levity.