How would you describe your comedy style?
It’s a mixture of self-deprecating, self-aware, and observational.
Who are some of your influences?
I am definitely influenced by forms of comedy that aren’t stand-up. When I was growing up, my family and I would watch This Hour Has 22 Minutes and The Rick Mercer Report every Tuesday on CBC. I also loved watching Whose Line Is It Anyway, and that show was a big reason I got into improv. I love comedy that can get serious but come back up again, so Fleabag is another all-time favourite.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
Robin Williams, hands down.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
My favourite stand-ups right now are Debra DiGiovanni, Chris Locke, Chris Fleming and Mark Little.
What is your pre-show ritual?
My friend who stage-managed my 60-minute stand-up show in the Winnipeg Fringe last year described my whole show ritual as arrive, have a small crash out, set everything up, get dressed, do the show, crash out again, and then head to the beer tent. She wasn’t wrong.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
My very favourite place to perform is the Gas Station Arts Centre in Winnipeg. The people who run it are so lovely, the stage is beautiful, and the location is fantastic.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
I am very proud of my solo show, called Oversharer. It is very personal and was very scary to do, but it was well-received, and I had a lot of fun doing it. It was also the first time I’ve put 60 minutes together.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
I’ve been very lucky to perform at YukYuks in Winnipeg on a semi-regular basis and have gotten to work with and see a lot of fantastic headliners. Stand-up is probably best when you’re seeing it live. But otherwise, it’s a mixture of new comedy specials on streaming services and social media.
Tell us a joke about your city.
Winnipeggers are proud of the wrong things about Winnipeg. We love to brag about how cold our winters are, how we held the murder capital of Canada title until Thunder Bay took it away from us, and how we are also the Slurpee Capital of the World. What we REALLY should be bragging about is how you can have a shot at buying property in Winnipeg as a middle-class person because you’re agreeing to buy property in Winnipeg.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
I’m doing a few shows in the Winnipeg Comedy Festival (Laughing with the Stars and KIDTHINK’s Laugh More, Give More Comedy Night) at the end of April and taking my solo show, Oversharer, to the Edmonton Fringe Festival this August!
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Jeff Gobeil works super hard to put on great shows and develop comedy talent in Winnipeg!
Also, Jaydin Pommer is my GIRL. I could literally go on forever about all of the amazing comics in Winnipeg – we have a great comedy scene.
