Meet Sandi Marx

“After raising three children, Sandi Marx returned to her true calling: performing and writing. The storytelling community has welcomed Sandi, and getting on stage at Moth slams led to her winning seven times. With childhood dreams of being an actress and dancer, she shares what she has learned about pursuing a new career in her sixties and using her talents with confidence.”

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ON HER MORNING ROUTINE

I take a probiotic (Garden of Life - RAW Probiotics Women 50 & Wiser), then I usually have coffee and eggs. I work out using my tiny two-pound weights while watching The Price is Right. I’m not even a little embarrassed about that. Then I try guessing those winning bids while stretching. I shower, and then sit and write.

on her childhood dreams to be a dancer and actress

I grew up in Queens and wanted to be a dancer and an actress. I went to NYU drama school but never graduated because I ran out of money. I worked at a dance studio while auditioning for shows, and did lots of odd jobs like standing next to large objects at car and boat shows at the NY Coliseum, which is now a fancy mall in Columbus Circle. I was also a shoe model because I have tiny feet.

on founding a talent agency

After a lot of rejection I thought I might want to reconsider my path. I happened to be in a dance class with an old pal, Peter Weller, who was a well known actor (ROBOCOP) and he introduced me to his agent, J. Michael Bloom. Originally, I thought he sent me there because he thought I had talent, but he thought I’d be good as a talent agent. He was correct. I went on that interview and never auditioned again. Seven years after taking that job, I went on my own with three partners to open our own agency, Schiffman Ekman Morrison & Marx. It was the best decision of my working life!

on slowing down after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis

I adored being an agent. We represented very talented and mostly successful men and women who I respected. I stopped working when I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and later, lupus. My work schedule was just too taxing, and constant theater nights added to the strain. I also had three kids at home who would love to see me more often. When my youngest child left for college I was ready to get back to what fueled me all those years before I became a talent agent. My real passion, or what I like to call my calling: performing and writing.

Trench, Yang Li Men ; T-Shirt, Vintage ; Choker, Vintage YSL ; Pants, Sonia Rykiel

““I care less about what people think of me. I’ve always been a bit of a codependent, and it mattered how I was perceived and if I were liked. I’m at the age where I know who I am and happy with how I have evolved. I don’t spend too much time worrying about how I’m perceived. Fuck ‘em if they don’t like me. Next! It’s liberating being 62. Truly. I’ve put in the work. I raised productive, intelligent, lovely children who make me proud every day. I have a loving husband. Life is good. I still get nervous every time I grab a mic, but somehow I seem to be doing okay.””

— on her 60s and starting a new career

on finally pursuing her calling

I was intrigued my entire adult life with comedy but way too afraid to do it. I consider myself a comedic storyteller which is a bit different than standup. I tell funny stories with lots of inserted jokes. It requires a bit more patience on the part of the audience. I attended a Moth slam in at Housing Works in New York five years ago, and I was smitten. I thought, “This is my home. These are my people!” I started getting on stage at these Moth slams and won seven times. It launched me into booking other shows that weren’t open mic formats. I now perform somewhere in the city or Brooklyn about four times a week. I also travel and perform all over the country.

on the creative process behind her comedy

Everything that happens every day is material. Endless material. I tell lots of stories about my younger self and all the dumb stuff I used to do. Dating mishaps, work embarrassments, my first marriage. Nothing, except my kids, is off limits. I even make fun of my current husband, and thankfully he’s a good sport. I’m mostly making fun of myself, and that’s pretty easy! I try and do open mics when I can, but I usually try out new stuff whenever I’m performing. I can tell what works and what doesn’t work pretty quickly. Audiences keep it honest. I’m careful to not perform the kind of material that’s too political, or put anyone but myself down. If they aren’t there to defend themselves, it’s just a cheap joke. I do make exceptions. I have a long memory if I’ve been crossed.

on keeping a healthy lifestyle

I have a healthy diet: no refined sugar or gluten. I try to drink lots of water. I also tend to leave a gig and drive straight home so I’m in bed by midnight. I’m also lucky to sleep in past 9 AM. I’m not really healthy, but I do have enormous amounts of energy.

““The truth is if you must do whatever your passion is, find a way to do it! Do the training if it applies. I didn’t really get on stage until I joined a workshop to learn the technical aspects. I took classes at the P.I.T. (People’s Improv Theater), and my teacher/mentor, David Crabb, got me going. I’m forever in his debt. I strongly advise anyone who wants to take their craft seriously to do their homework. I spend hours watching the best of the best, either live or YouTube videos. I learned so much about timing and delivery just watching my favorite performers.””

— on advice to aspiring performers

on the artists that inspire her

I adore Chelsea Handler, Gary Gulman, Amy Schumer, Rachel Feinstein, and so many others. Joan Rivers was a big inspiration for me too.

on her art collection

We are quite fortunate to have some artists in our lives, well, really my husband’s life. Keith Marshall is a dentist and happens to treat some geniuses. We covet our Tom Sachs work and Damian Loeb. Lots of other great painters hang around our apartment.

on her self-care rituals and creative process

I like to get eyelash extensions every few weeks at Lashes & Lace. It’s one of the few times I just lie still and chat about nothing with Gina, my adorable lash guru. I also get my hair touched up, and that’s a chance to sit still and gossip with Michelle, my hair guru. I also take long walks and work out material while I’m wandering. I sometimes pretend I’m on a phone call so I don’t seem to be in some kind of trouble.

on her style and shopping habits

I love to observe women and what they are wearing. I love mixing high/low stuff. I’ll wear a t-shirt and torn jeans with a Chanel pearl necklace. I like to be a bit colorful, and because I’m traveling in a very young community, I avoid looking like “Karen from H.R.” I might have confidence but I’m also a realist. If I step on stage looking like someone’s mom’s frenemy, I need to address that right away. Dressing in a groovy low key way helps. I love t-shirts with funny or ironic slogans. I am an avid consignment store shopper. I love INA and Luxe in Armonk in Westchester. It’s paradise! I love The Row, Rick Owens, Isabel Marant, and I do some online shopping at Rachel Antonoff.

““I haven’t done anything to my face (yet) but I’d love to fix my neck soon. I do worry about losing facial expressions, but I’m not going to preach that looking older is a banner of pride. I am vain and really want to look as vibrant as possible without looking as if my face has been frozen.””

— on aging and cosmetic surgery

*Dress, Louis Vuitton ; Boots, Dries Van Noten*

on her beauty routine

I use Burt’s Bees Cleanser to take off my makeup and then slather myself with moisturizer. Lately my new favorite thing is Tallow balm by Creatix Solutions. It’s made from cow fat and it’s so good. I use Jafra’s Royal Jelly Gentle Cleansing Milk, Jafra Royal Jelly Revitalize Volcanic Micro Polish Mask, Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream, and Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm.

I try not to wear too much makeup. At my age, I’ll look like Norma Desmond from Sunset Boulevard. So I use a little blush by Charlotte Tilbury and eye pencil that’s Kevyn Aucoin. I also use a lot of Tom Ford products like eye colors and lip sticks. Chanel also makes fabulous lip colors. And as always, Bobbi Brown concealer.

on her favorite books

Gilda Radner was my dream girl. I worshipped her, and her death felt like losing a member of my family. I reread Bunny, Bunny: Gilda Radner: A Sort of Romantic Comedy by Alan Zweibel whenever I’m feeling I need to have her back. I also recommend The Price of Illusion by Joan Juliet Buck, Joan Rivers Confidential by Melissa Rivers, and This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett.

sandi’s favorite films

A League of Their Own by Penny Marshall, Lost in America by Albert Brooks, Sleepless in Seattle by Nora Ephron, You’ve Got Mail by Nora Ephron

sandi’s favorite places in nyc

I adore Rossopomodoro on Greenwich Ave. The best gluten-free pizza in NYC! I have a soft spot for Joe Allen in the theater district because I spent so many years going there and it’s still great. My new addiction is Next Level Therapeutics. Full disclosure: my husband owns it and it’s amazing. It’s a Novothor bed which I lie in twice a week for ten minutes. It’s a red light therapy that stimulates our Mitochondria deep in our tissues. I always feel better, and my skin looks better after a session. It’s becoming really popular which I find thrilling. I don’t work out. I just walk a lot. You won’t find me at Soulcycle. I do belong to The Wing and I spend a lot of time writing there. They have the best Ricotta toast with honey.