When ‘English Teacher’ tackled jocks in drag, Stephanie Koenig stepped in

Stephanie Koenig first crossed paths with Brian Jordan Alvarez 11 years ago, when both were cast in a UC Santa Barbara student film, though they had already graduated. Their bond was immediate.

“We were making each other laugh so hard, and you could just feel it,” Koenig shared in a recent video interview. “It was kismet. I remember leaving that night and going to my car, and I knew that I had met a good friend and something really special was happening.”

Fast forward to the present, and they’re sharing a much larger stage. Alvarez, the creator of FX’s new comedy “English Teacher,” cast Koenig, his long-time web comedy collaborator, as fellow teacher Gwen Sanders.

Gwen, the sharp yet quirky best friend of Alvarez’s character Evan Marquez, radiates an infectious optimism. Koenig also penned one of the season’s standout episodes, “Powderpuff,” that’s set to air Monday after the pilot. This episode showcases the series’ knack for handling hot-button issues—like drag—in a lighthearted yet uncompromising manner.

Koenig’s recent strong supporting performance in Apple TV+’s “Lessons in Chemistry” contrasts sharply with her comedic role in “English Teacher.” Her physical comedy skills, honed through years as a competitive dancer in Rochester Hills, Mich., are evident throughout the series.

When asked if she and Alvarez share the same sense of humor, Koenig quipped, “No, we don’t.” But their comedic chemistry is undeniable, having collaborated on numerous web projects over the past decade.

Alvarez, in a video interview, flipped the question about Koenig’s comedic talent: “What doesn’t make her funny? Everything she does is funny. She just has these thoughts that you see in her eyes, and it just makes you laugh and laugh.” He praised her performing abilities, emphasizing her natural, unprompted expressions that the camera often picks up. “She does so much of that. She’s so free on camera, but she’s also so reliable.”

Adding to her accolades, Alvarez highlighted Koenig’s exceptional writing. Indeed, it’s her writing prowess that drives “Powderpuff,” inspired by a Texan and Midwestern tradition where high school girls face off on the football field, while football players dress as cheerleaders.

In “English Teacher,” drag shows—a contentious topic in Texas—are treated with sensitivity. The student LGBTQ+ group criticizes the football players for cross-dressing as a joke, undermining actual trans or nonbinary students. Evan steps in to ensure the jocks perform with authenticity and respect, bringing in local drag queen Shazam (played by Trixie Mattel) for guidance. Meanwhile, Gwen’s coaching approach hilariously turns into self-defense demonstrations, juxtaposed with the drag lessons in a dual-montage set to Laura Branigan’s “Gloria.”

Koenig found the episode exciting: “It’s a beautiful image to see a bunch of jocks dressing in drag and just dancing.” She eagerly volunteered to write the episode when outlines were being assigned. The episode smartly zigs when you expect it to zag, addressing controversial topics with unexpected twists.

Interestingly, while Gwen seems clueless about football, Koenig and her sister were coached by their father in the sport. Yet, her true passion lay in jazz dance. After studying drama at Michigan State University, she moved to New York, aiming for Broadway before heading to Los Angeles at 23 upon her boyfriend’s advice.

“I don’t have any regrets,” she said. “But I do wish somebody had told me earlier: ‘No, no, no, just go straight to L.A.’ You have to be here for such a long time to get your footing, and to move here when you’re 23 is playing catch-up.” Remarkably, the shoot for this story occurred at the Escondite in downtown L.A., the same place where she once worked as a server.

Koenig and Alvarez met soon after her move to L.A. She landed roles in shows like “The Offer” and “The Flight Attendant,” and directed the spy movie spoof “A Spy Movie” in 2021, starring herself and Alvarez. Their collaborative pilot nearly got picked up before coming up short, eventually leading to “English Teacher.”

Both Koenig and Alvarez epitomize the YouTube age, gradually building a loyal audience through web-series like “Stupid Idiots.” This digital exposure polished their craft for bigger opportunities.

“I’m so grateful for YouTube,” Koenig reflected. “We were able to find our own fans. I’m grateful that I didn’t work really early on in the industry, because I had to use my voice in order to be seen and get work. I had to direct and write. I had to put myself in my own things and just show what I could do.”

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.