Joe’s Pub Welcomes Margaret Cho as Avant-Garde Artist-in-Residence

Margaret Cho has a new home at Joe’s Pub.

The veteran comedian, actress and activist has been selected as the beloved New York City venue’s Vanguard Artist-in-Residence. The honor, according to Joe’s Pub, is meant to recognize “an iconic artist who has significantly influenced the Joe’s Pub arts community and American culture at large.” She will spend a year at the venue curating artist programs that “excite and invigorate” her for the Artist Development Program.

Cho says of his vision for the year: “It’s an honor to finally be able to sit in the audience after so many years of performing and I want to help create a show that makes me laugh, cry and dream. I can’t wait to see these incredible shows with all of you.”

The residency begins on October 25 with Charlene Kaye’s solo exhibition, Tiger Girl — or how I shamed my immigrant mother. In the new year, on January 24 and 25, Cho will host Margaret’s Children, a show featuring comedians Nori Reed, Robin Tran and Sabrina Wu. Then, on March 11, Cho will guest on the live taping of Silly Podcasta series that focuses on addiction and recovery. Another confirmed offering from Cho is a one-woman show by comedian Youngmi Mayer on April 4. Additional shows should be announced.

“Margaret Cho is the definition of avant-garde,” said Isabel Kim, assistant manager of Joe’s Pub. “For so long, she was the only Asian American comic, and certainly the only queer, female, Asian American comic I know. She was bold and hilarious from the beginning of her career, and inspired and paved the way for today’s burgeoning generation of queer Asian American comics. An activist on and off the stage, Margaret supports emerging artists at every opportunity. She is truly the most generous soul.”

Previous recipients of the Vanguard Award and residency include singer Angélique Kidjo (2023-24), voice teacher Barbara Maier Gustern (2022-23, posthumously), artist Laurie Anderson (2020-22), and singer-songwriters Judy Collins (2019-20) and Nona Hendryx (2018-19). The Vanguard residency is part of a series of programs at Joe’s Pub designed to support artists in an ever-changing industry.