A few hours before the comedian Aparna Nancherla was scheduled to perform at the Elysian Theater in Los Angeles last month, she was at home tapping. With her index and middle fingers, she was tapping the crown of her head, tapping her chin, tapping her chest and reciting affirmations. Tap, tap, tap. Tap, tap, tap. Her nerves were also why, I was told by her publicist, I could not meet Ms. Nancherla before her performance.

---

Persons: Aparna Nancherla, I’m, Nancherla, She’s “, ” Organizations: Elysian Theater, showtime Locations: Los Angeles