Nothing bothers comedian Aida Rodriguez more than peers who are always “on.” The Puerto Rican/Dominican comic saves her jokes for the stage.

“Imagine interviewing a singer, and they break into song every 5 minutes,” said Rodriguez, who describes herself as introverted and shy off stage.

“Dentists don’t walk around asking people to open their mouths.” 

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The Los Angeles resident — who has five shows from Thursday, Aug. 6, to Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Tempe Improv — was introduced to the masses after appearing on “Last Comic Standing” and “The Young Turks.”

This tour is a departure for Rodriguez. She has been praised for leaning on social issues, politics and the lived realities of misogyny and racism. Her HBO Max special “Fighting Words” is built on that foundation, transforming personal pain into cultural commentary. 

With her children grown and working in entertainment, she said she feels free to joke about her romantic life — something a little lighter.

“It’s fun,” she said. “I’m talking about dating. I’ve never talked about women and men relationships in my standup; things that have to do with the human experience that connects us all,” she said. 

This year brings something new: her first starring role in a feature film, “Hurricane Season,” a family drama set in Puerto Rico. Her character’s father died in Hurricane Maria, and her mother is ill. 

“I go back to Puerto Rico to visit her, and she asks me to take her on a road trip,” she explained. “So, my daughter, my mom, my niece and I go on this road trip throughout Puerto Rico, and we learn some of the craziest things about my mom.

“We understand who she is as a woman. It really was a fun experience to work because they’re all good, solid, impressive actors. My mother is played by Priscilla Lopez, who was in the original “A Chorus Line” on Broadway. She’s a Tony Award-winning actor. It was really fun and a great education.” 

Rodriguez’s career has been shaped by resilience and by fighting misconceptions. She’s been a finalist on “Last Comic Standing,” a breakout on Tiffany Haddish’s “They Ready,” a host of the Imagen Awards, and a commentator on “The Young Turks.” 

“I feel like comedy has become very polarizing and it’s exhausting for the comedians as well,” she said.

“We’re not supposed to be campaigning for anybody. We’re supposed to be provoking thought. That’s what I’ve wanted to do in comedy. I feel like it’s important to make people laugh and make people think. I want my show to be an escape for people, not a trap.”