Laughing Through the Decades: Doreen Collins Joins the Rhode Island Wave

​There are comedians, and then there is Doreen Collins—a Rhode Island legend who has spent a lifetime turning ordinary moments into laughter. Now, we're thrilled to announce that Doreen is joining the Rhode Island Wave as a monthly contributor, bringing her signature wit and satire to our pages beginning with the September issue.
We sat down with Doreen at the lovely Cowesett Inn for our Spotlight interview series, and if the conversation is any indication, readers are in for a treat.
A Career Built on Making People Laugh
Doreen holds a distinction few can claim: she was the first female comedian inducted into the Rhode Island Comedians Hall of Fame. It's an honor she doesn't take lightly.
"I take that honor to heart," she said. In fact, she channeled it directly into action, launching an all-female comedy show called The Ladies Room—performed by female comedians, sponsored by female-owned businesses, with a portion of every ticket going to a female-based charity. She ran it for ten years before taking a break, and she's now considering bringing it back.
These days, Doreen keeps busy on multiple fronts. She performs alongside fellow Hall of Famer Charlie Hall in Aging Disgracefully, a lively mix of stand-up, song, satire, and skits about the perks and pitfalls of getting older. "This show writes itself," she laughed, noting that she and Charlie have been performing together for 26 years. Tickets and show dates are available at agingdisgracefully.net.
From Cyberbullying to Crayons
Doreen also hosts a podcast where she hands guests a microphone and lets them speak their minds. A recent episode featured a public school teacher who wanted to set the record straight on misinformation spreading among parents—and to highlight just how much pressure today's educators face.
"They're doing the best they can with the tools they have," Doreen said, before offering a simple call to action: "Buy a box of crayons for your local teachers."
The conversation turned thoughtful as she and I discussed education, brain development, and whether we might learn a thing or two from countries like Finland and Norway, where children face far less academic pressure early on. "Let kids become fully grown into their bodies and then figure it out," Doreen mused.
A Star-Studded Start
Perhaps the most remarkable chapter of Doreen's story began when she was just eight years old—on stage with none other than Diana Ross and the Supremes.
The setting was the Indiana State Fair in 1968. Doreen's older brother, a devoted Diana Ross aficionado, had taught her and her sister Supremes choreography "before we could form full sentences." He knew that at a certain point in every show, the performers called children up to dance.
"He had me ready," Doreen recalled. Sure enough, Miss Ross called her and her sister up on stage, interviewed them, and let them dance the number. "My little sailor hat flew off because I was giving it my all, and she put it on her mic stand. Wonder whatever happened to that hat?"
Raised on Motown—Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Four Tops—Doreen grew up surrounded by the music and the spirit of an era. Given the civil unrest of 1968, it was a moment that meant more than a child could have known at the time.
Wisdom, Age, and the Value of a Good Laugh
Ask Doreen about getting older, and she'll give it to you straight. At 66, she says she understands more about herself than ever—even if that understanding comes with a catch. "The older you get, the stupider you know you were," she said with a laugh.
She has no interest in returning to her younger years. Instead, she's focused on what's ahead. Her goal? To keep going strong for decades to come. "I want to be the Betty White of Rhode Island," she declared. "I'm not stopping until I get a stamp with my face on it."
Why Local Talent Matters Now More Than Ever
Doreen was candid about the challenges facing performers this past summer, when shows across the state saw sparse crowds. "Everybody's having a tough time," she said, thanking everyone who came out to support live comedy despite tight budgets.
Her message to readers is simple: support local talent. Whether it's Aging Disgracefully, Poppy Champlin's Hot Mic at Joyce's Pub in Wakefield, or John Perrotta's Comedy Factory, Rhode Island's comedy scene is rich with performers who need audiences.
And beyond entertainment, Doreen believes laughter serves a deeper purpose—especially now. Reflecting on her years of political satire with Charlie Hall's Ocean State Follies, she recalled a time when public figures, including former Congressman David Cicilline, could laugh at themselves. "People aren't laughing anymore. And that's what's getting us in trouble."
Her advice, delivered with the wisdom of someone who's seen it all: do your due diligence, seek out different points of view, make your own decisions—and then get on with life. "Because that's how we win."
Welcome Aboard, Doreen
We couldn't be more excited to welcome Doreen Collins to the Rhode Island Wave family. Her monthly column—candid, funny, and just a little bit satirical—promises to be a highlight of every issue.
To learn more about Doreen, book a private show, or catch one of her performances, visit thedoreencollins.com.