Cameron Esposito is entirely focused on the betterment of your famished funny bone. And it is clear from the raucous responses and peals of laughter from her audiences that she is cooking up some comic delights.

MATC Times: What is your favorite thing to do outside of comedy?

Cameron: Cook. I love to cook. I also hate to follow recipes. I’m an experimental chef.

As seen at The Comedy Bar in Chicago, Cameron Esposito’s “Side Mullet Nation” show is gaining sovereign authority as one of the nations inflating, recession era, prime time comedy shows.

MATC Times: What made you decide to become a comedian?

Cameron: I didn’t really decide until it was already happening; a friend of mine convincing me to take up improv in college and I’ve done jokes ever since.  At first it was a side project. I thought I’d have another career and that comedy would be for funsies.

This 30 year-old female got her start studying improvisation in Chicago and Boston. She attended The Second City Conservatory and ImprovBoston Training Center. Since breaking into standup comedy, her star has risen quickly. In 2009 and 2010 she appeared in the “Just for Laughs Chicago Festival.” Then in 2010 and 2011 she performed at the “Women in Comedy Festival.” In addition, she had stints at the Comedy Studio in Boston and the Comedy Showcase in Ann Arbor. Esposito has even taken to the international stage and appeared in the UK and South Africa.

MATC Times: What advice would you give someone who is interested in making a career out of comedy?

Cameron: Just do the work.  Folks get stuck in their heads, waiting for the perfect moment to start and the perfect joke to start with.  That won’t happen.  You’ll always be getting better, so just start.

The “Side Mullet Nation” show’s situational comedy features a new breed of alternative hysteria as Cameron invites her personal favorite comics to share in a campfire story telling extravaganza, live and on stage.

MATC Times: Is there anything that has you excited, right now?

Cameron: A new show I’m running at The Comedy Bar in Chicago called Side Mullet Nation. I ran a solo show under the same name for a while and have switched to a storytelling format where I invite different comic pals to drop by and tell a story too.  The show really fits my comedic voice and I’m stoked to have it all come together.

MATC Times: SMN is growing in popularity considerably; what gave you the idea to cut your hair that way and name your tour after it?

Cameron: I didn’t come up with the idea; the hairstyle sprang

from my forehead fully formed – as Athena did from Zeus. For serious though: my look has been slowly evolving from preppy and girly to this more comfortable punk rock, band camp, fighter pilot incarnation. I feel like for the first time I look like myself.

MATC Times: If you could sum up your performance in a word or sentence, what would that be?

Cameron: I’m working to change your mind about everything — gently and suddenly.

So what do others say about this vivacious performer. The Seattle Times says this comedienne is “quick-witted”, “[With a] childlike belief in humanity,” says The Comedians Magazine. “Cameron has, by far, the most infectious energy I’ve seen” says Calle Hack of Comedy of Chicago.

MATC Times: Judging from your audience, obviously laughter is a good indicator that people are having a good time. How else would you judge your audience reception to your performance?

Cameron: Uncrossed arms. If your audience members cross their arms, they aren’t digging you and you’re pretty much sunk.

Cameron is also ringmaster for Chicago-based touring circus company El Circo Cheapo Cabaret and she has founded the first all-female comedienne school, “Feminine Comique.”

You can catch “Side Mullet Nation” now through Dec. 15 at The Comedy Bar in Chicago.

For more information on Cameron Esposito, visit www.therealcameronesposito.com.