Mississippi comedian Rita Brent is taking her talents to the Big Apple

Over the past six years, Jackson-bred comedian Rita Brent has given her home state all she's got. 

But now, it's time to move on to bigger things and a bigger city.

In 2013, she got the itch to do something different. While attending an open-mic comedy night at the Suite 106 Lounge in Jackson, she couldn't contain herself while watching a performance that night.

From then on she knew comedy was her calling.

Brent worked for Mississippi Public Broadcasting as a host and a producer of five local shows.

Her career as a comedian began in Jackson, where she attended Murrah High School and went on to graduate from Jackson State University.

Now that she has made her mark in the South, New York City is her next stop.

'I get to tell kids you can mature from class clown'

Brent recalls thinking about comedy even as a child.

"I was really itching for those opportunities to make people laugh because it made me feel more confident, maybe more cool," Brent said.

She said she would always look for the opportunity to throw in a punch line for laughs or just to makes someone's day brighter.

"Now I realize that’s a source of healing for people, folks are paying to come see comedy because they’re going through things or want to get their minds off things," Brent said.

Brent soon realized that her sense of humor could be monetized and that being the class clown could pay off.

"Now I get to tell kids its cool to be the class clown but you can actually be a comedian one day, I’m living proof of that," Brent said.

She's been performing since the age of 8, especially in the church alongside her mother who played the piano. 

Whether it was playing the drums or hosting shows for MPB, Brent has always been performing.

"I’ve always been performing but it was behind the mic and transitioning into in front of the mic, it was challenging because of the nerves that overtake you when you have to capture the attention of a crowd of strangers," Brent said.

'Performing is easier in the South'

Brent has seen much success performing in Mississippi and across the South.

She emphasized how important it is to always have it together and be overly prepared.

"I don't try to get too comfortable at home and when I'm out of town, I'm definitely trying to be prepared," Brent said.

She has lived in Mississippi since the age of 4. She enlisted in the U.S. Army as a drummer for the 41st Army National Guard Band. For basic training, she moved to South Carolina for three years.

To further her career, Brent thought making a move to either New York or Los Angeles would be the best option. 

'You've got to get out of Mississippi'

Mississippi and the South have brought Brent much success in her time here.

From gigs at birthday parties to big stages with comedian Kevin Hart and even starring in and writing her own scripts for 40 plus Patty Peck Honda commercials-- her resume stands strong.

"When I meet famous comedians and I tell them I'm from Mississippi, their first response to me is 'you got to get out of Mississippi," Brent said.

Brent is making her big move to New York City this October.

"Anything dealing with comedy in Mississippi, you're going to have to cultivate it and start it from scratch...I've enjoyed doing that over the past six years," Brent said.

New York City is the next logical career move, Brent said.

"There are tons of comedy clubs, comedy rooms, opportunities for me to do late night TV," she said. "You know, in different states, things are already established. Certain places or sports places or music places. Like you go to Nashville for country music so just that's just the identity of New York. That's where you go to make it big."

She says she feels a certain warmth and acceptance when she steps onto the New York streets and that she will get more visibility being in such a big market.

"So I figured I'll try in New York for a year and a half or two years and then maybe go to L.A.," Brent said.

While Brent gets ready to make a huge transition, she is going to be missed by some good friends she has made along the way.

Xperience Jxn owner Yolanda Singleton has been friends with Brent for over 10 years and says she will definitely be missed on the Jackson scene.

"She's a multi-talented person just in general, she's well-versed and very personable and it makes the fans fall in love with her," Brent said.

Singleton said for her professional career as a comedian, moving to New York is one of the best moves she can make for herself.

"For her to make this big step, I will support her in all her efforts," Brent said. 

Her longtime friend and fellow comedian Merc B. Williams of Jackson says he is not just her friend but a true fan.

"Her impeccable work ethic along with her fearlessness and confidence in her craft is inspiring and motivating to say the least," he said. "She’s truly deserving of all that’s come to her thus far and all that’s to come as well and I’m just stoked to see her out here winning. Does my heart good."

He says her move is her best decision yet.

"It’s time. HER time to be exact and she’s ready. Everything she’s been through and accomplished thus far has prepared her for this move," he said."I hope NYC is ready for her because she’s really gonna take that city by storm and become the force she’s destined to be reckoned with not just in comedy but in entertainment period."

What's next?

Brent said Los Angeles will be her next stop after she tackles New York.

"I've only done comedy there once, but all of my advisers tell me you go to L.A. to do movies specifically," she said. "I'm not a huge fan of acting so that's a different level of vulnerability that I don't think I'm ready for right now."

She has hopes of getting an HBO special or Netflix but wants to push more for a late-night TV spot.

Brent says her heart and passion is on the stage.

"Just getting the eyesight of somebody who would be willing to give me a special, whether it's 30 minutes or an hour on HBO or Netflix...but to get on a big platform like that can really be life-changing," Brent said.

"I wonder how will people receive me being from Mississippi because Mississippi is a part of my identity. So I'm not gonna go up there and start telling a bunch of jokes about New York," she said. "I'm talking about my culture and my history as a Mississippian."

Brent says she will continue to talk about personal issues, things of the world and making light of it. She said she loves to share her perspective and heal people through laughter.

"I'm very curious to see how I'll be received by New Yorkers and I'm excited to see the growth that will come from me being able to perform so much during the week," Brent said.

Before she leaves

What: Rita Brent will have her last performance in Jackson before her big move on Sept. 28 called "Sipp on This Tea" Comedy Show.

Where: The Alamo Theatre located on 333 North Farish Street in Jackson

Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tickets: Go to www.eventbrite.com --- Advanced tickets are also available for purchase at Broad Street Bakery inside Banner Hall in Jackson.

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Contact Italiana Anderson at (601)-720-3907 or ianderson@gannett.com. Follow @ItalianaAnders2 on Twitter.