The saying, “laughter is the best medicine” hits a little different when humor is used as a vehicle to enlighten us about serious or complex issues. Comedy allows us to let down our guard, and see the deep humanity in people beyond headlines, or even punchlines! This feels like an accurate description of comedian Shanna Christmas’ bold new comedy stand-up special ‘Highly Intelligent‘, which premiered on Amazon and Youtube May 20, and was released on Comedy Dynamics as a comedy album May 23.
The comedian, writer, and proud Las Vegas native is bringing the heat—and the heart— in one hour, where audiences get to hear machine-gun punchlines and razor-sharp observations unpacking the horrors of working in healthcare, losing a parent to dementia, the struggles of being tall, and surviving sexual assault in the comedy scene.
Shot live at an intimate jazz club in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the special captures Shanna Christmas doing what she does best: making people laugh so hard they forget they’re in a dark room with strangers. With machine-gun punchlines, razor- sharp observations, and stories that swing from wild to wicked, Shanna invites audiences into a world that’s as smart as it is side-splitting. But this special isn’t just jokes.
In a stunning final turn, Shanna peels back the curtain to share a deeply personal, gut-wrenching story of surviving sexual assault. The room, once roaring with laughter, falls into a reverent, electric silence as she bravely reframes her trauma through the lens of resilience, truth, and yes—even humor.
Filmed in the city where she grew up, ‘Highly Intelligent’ is more than just a comedy special; it’s a homecoming. And a reckoning. And a celebration of what it means to be funny, fearless, and female in today’s world.
Her comedy style has been described as “Edgy/Classy” as she finds ways to speak about complicated issues that can offend, but she’s so charming that you can’t be mad at her.
Whether you’re a die-hard comedy fan or just need a good cry-laugh, this is the special that sticks with you. We had the opportunity to chat with Shanna about the special, and the process behind choosing to close the set by talking about sexual assault, blending seriousness with humor with ease!
What was it like to create this comedy special in your hometown? And how did that influence your vibe on stage?
This was actually my second go at shooting this special. I initially shot it out of town and it wasn’t the best time. My dad had passed away and I was really depressed. I ended up scrapping the whole thing and starting over. Going back home after being gone for so many years was really cool and really scary. There were people in the audience from every part of my life: childhood, middle/high school, people I met in my clubbing days, former coworkers… I knew I made the right decision. The venue is so great, too. I wanted it to have a different look to match my vibe. I tend to have dark material and I talk about things that are hard to talk about sometimes. A jazz lounge was fitting.
What is your secret to keeping audiences laughing and keeping them guessing about the topic you will talk about in the next joke?
I’d say that there aren’t many things that haven’t been talked about on stage, however, I do have a somewhat unexpected approach to them. I skew a bit unconventional in my thinking at times. Everyone jokes about children, few joke about how much they hate them.
Who were your comedy heroes growing up, and who do you admire/get inspiration from today?
My comedy journey is a little different because I remember seeing Richard Pryor on stage and thinking, “That looks hard. I don’t want to do that.” I only tried comedy because of peer pressure and when I finally got on stage, I had a thought that I was supposed to be up there.
I actually don’t really look up to comedians. I’m weird! lol. I’m really feeling what Kendrick Lamar is doing. He puts out his art and doesn’t care what people think and I feel like that’s the best way to be. A lot of times, people try to cater to the audience. I never pay attention to what they laugh at because I don’t have a joke for every audience member. Kendrick put out an introspective album that was vulnerable and at times hard to listen to and a lot of people said, “Turn that shit off.” I get that reaction sometimes in the form of crossed arms, but I still plug away at what I came to do.
Your set is funny but also very honest – you decided to talk about sexual assault and surviving your own experience. Why was it important for you to include this?
My journey in comedy is forever tied to what happened to me 2 years into my career. I struggle so much with feeling unsupported and invalidated. Especially after “doing the right thing.” I learned that most people won’t believe victims no matter what happens. I felt that it was important to tell my side of the story since I was never able to testify at trial. He’s also been able to shape the narrative in his favor with people because of the appearance of transparency and the fact that I’ve been running away from Vegas for 10 years. I decided to take my power back and I hope that other people can feel empowered to do so as well.
I was initially only scratching the surface of the story in earlier sets until my director, Michael Malone, had me go over my entire set and he decided that the hardest thing I’ve ever done on stage should be my closer. It’s truly what makes my special special. I’m so grateful that he pushed me to do it.
How has comedy provided a vehicle for you to talk about this serious topic in a way that can be relatable or less taboo?
I think that’s a big reason why I do it. I really like connecting with people and there’s an unspoken struggle that needs to be addressed and I love getting into it. The hardest part is finding ways to make it funny.
What do you want your audiences to think about in their own lives by your willingness to “go there” and be vulnerable on a literal public platform?
Silence keeps you small and hidden. It keeps you trapped. Only through speaking up can you be set free. It’s SO hard to do it, but I’ve never felt bad for saying the thing. You have to be prepared for whatever might come next as well; whether it be losing friends or opportunities, but being to yourself will never be a bad thing. Also, you’re not the only person going through it. Speaking up helps you find your people.
What is behind the title ‘Highly Intelligent’?
That’s another credit to my director. I had a totally different name for it and as he was editing, he called me and said, “….I want to change the name of your special.” After he explained the logic and the fact that I literally say the title in one of the most pivotal parts of my act, I was sold. You know how when you’re watching a movie, and the main character says the name of the movie in the movie and you’re like that Leo DiCaprio meme of him pointing at the TV? That’s Highly Intelligent.
It also has double meanings because I am very tall, and intelligent, and it ties into the ending where I flip what it means to be a survivor. Is that a Kendrick Lamar double entendre?!
We’re accustomed to hearing the line “I hope my mom isn’t watching this…” when performers and comedians sometimes share candid stories and jokes about their lives in a special. Are there any people you hope DON’T see your special? If so, who would they be and why?
My mom has never seen me do comedy. I know she won’t watch this, but part of me wishes she would. Although, she’s one of the few people who doesn’t know about my assault and I know I’ll have to explain that to her at some point.
Other than that, there was a time when I didn’t want anyone to watch it! It felt like just getting through the taping was good enough. I also had this bit of depression because I felt like I didn’t have a goal anymore. You work so hard on these jokes and then you purge them for this big thing and suddenly, that motivation is gone. Part of me didn’t think it was good enough, either.
How would you describe your audience, and what kind of people do you hope will be drawn to ‘Highly Intelligent’ when it drops?
My audience is a little dark, quirky, clever and silently freaky. I’ve had all kinds of people come to me after shows and share things about their personal lives that they may not have shared otherwise. Different ages, backgrounds and walks of life. I think overall, my audiences like to laugh and feel something. At least that’s what I want for them.
Catch ‘Highly Intelligent’ on Youtube and Amazon, and download the audio comedy album wherever comedy albums are streamed or sold. Follow Shanna Christmas on Instagram and Facebook, and visit her website to see more of her work.
