Lisa Valentine Clark, actress, comedian and host of “The Lisa Show,” is perhaps best known for her roles in the movies “Once I Was a Beehive” and its sequel “Once I Was Engaged” and the BYUtv improv series “Show Offs.” But above all, Clark loves a good laugh.
She discovered improv comedy in college when she was invited to watch a group of students play improv games outside an apartment complex. After a few weeks of watching, she decided to join in.
“I wasn't thinking, ‘Oh, I'm studying improv.’ I was like, ‘Oh, those games look great,’” she said. “I started jumping in and it was really, really fun.”
That enthusiasm led her to join BYU’s The Garrens Comedy Troupe, a decision that sparked a wide range of creative opportunities.
“It all comes back from that, that love of, of improv,” she said.
Reflecting on “Once I Was a Beehive,” Clark said the experience of creating a film with friends was a dream come true.
“It was a lot of hard work. It was just this idea of like, ‘Oh, can we do this? Like, make an independent movie? Can we raise the money? Can we let all come together?’”
The sequel, “Once I Was Engaged,” was filmed under very different circumstances. Clark’s husband, Christoper Clark, had recently passed away from ALS. The production also took place under COVID-19 restrictions. Still, she found a way to keep creating.
“It ended up being really, really, really healing and very life changing personally for me,” she said. “I always see that movie and just think, ‘Oh, wow, that means a lot to me,’ because of what went on behind the scenes and the fact that we were able to laugh and create something makes me really happy.”
Now, Clark is focused on her podcast, “The Lisa Show,” but also looking forward to future projects.
“I have some friends who've written some stuff that I'd love to do a little bit more acting. I'd love to do some more improv kind of based movies and projects. I have some things that I’m writing right now that I hope materialize into something,” she said. “There's probably something around the corner that I don't even know is there yet.”
To follow Clark’s creative ventures, visit her personal Instagram or “The Lisa Show” Instagram page.
You can also listen to the full interview with Clark on BYU-Idaho Radio’s podcast on Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.