Şenay Duzcu
Turkish-German comedian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Şenay Duzcu is a Turkish-German stand-up comedian. She is often referred to as "Germany's first female German-Turkish stand-up comedian".
Şenay Duzcu | |
|---|---|
| Born | Turkey |
| Occupation | Stand-up comedian |
Comedian career
Duzcu admits that she was restricted as a child by her parents,[1] and at school, she was very reserved and never wanted to attract attention because that was expected from a Turkish girl. During a job as a tour leader at an art exhibition, she discovered her talent for inspiring ordinary people while telling stories and anecdotes.[2][3] She initially planned to become an actress. However, her father did not allow it. She pursued a career as a full-time stand-up comedian,[2] after she reached the final in the comedy category in the talent show "Star-Search" in 2003. Television appearances in "Night Wash", "Ladies Night", "Comedy Tower" and "Nuhr im Ersten" followed.[3] She is often referred to as "Germany's first female German-Turkish stand-up comedian".[1][2][3][4] Beside holding on-stage comedy shows in theaters at various cities,[5][6][7][8][9][10] she also appears on many radio and television programs.[2]
Duzcu talks about German/Turkish cultural differences with heart-warming humor.[2][4] She explains the relations of first-generation Turks with Germans in a humorous way, using examples from her parents.[5] She adds that Turkish humor thrives more on imitating people, on slapstick and physicality, while German humor uses more word play.[2] She tries to mirror both cultures through her comedy. She also believes that seminars are not useful for the integration of immigrants, and empathy is more important.[1][3] She says "I am not a diplomat or a politician. But if the work I do provides this additionally, that's a good thing."[4] Wearing a red free-hanging short skirt,[4] she starts her show on stage introducing herself as being from Turkey, from the fourth-largest city, Duisburg.[1] She says that "the Turk in me is always late for work, but on the other hand, the German in me always finishes on time!"[4]
Personal life
Born in Turkey, Şenay Duzcu was brought to Duisburg, Germany at three years of age by her immigrant parents.[2][4] She grew up in Düsseldorf.[2] Diagnosed with dyslexia,[10] reading and spelling weaknesses, she was sent to a low-level Hauptschule for secondary education.[4] After finishing high school at 19, she received a scholarship for intellectually gifted students during her study of architecture in Dortmund,[3][10] and earned a diploma.[2][4][11] She later started graphic design studies. She lived for a while in Essen.[1][2][4] She emphasizes that London, where she worked as an au pair, as well as Berkeley, California and Ankara, Turkey,[10] where she stayed for a semester during her university education, influenced her.[4][11] Currently, she resides in Nippes, Cologne.[3]
