Tell us a little bit about “Dude, Where’s My Chromosome?”
It is a show where I take the audience through my experiences with a chromosomal condition called Turner Syndrome. I go through what it exactly is and how that affects me in a Light hearted, fun way. It is basically an hour that I probably should have used for therapy, but instead it’s an hour used to entertain, inform and create awareness.
I take it that this show will be focusing strongly on your own personal story. How have you had to change your approach to comedy because of this?
This show is definitely a lot more honest and open than my usual stand up comedy style, probably because I don’t really find anything else in my life to be particularly interesting. I found writing this to be more natural and easier as it was about stuff I knew quite well and the content needed was more obvious.
This is your first solo comedy festival show, how have you dealt with the pressures and extra work of pulling a full length show together?
Though this is my first ever solo comedy festival show, I was apart of a small showcase show last year called Wrongertown with 2 other comics. What it lacked in success, it made up for in spirit. I know it is probably silly to call a previous show not really successful but who am I kidding… I had a ball doing it doing though and I learnt a lot from it. Doing a solo show is certainly a pretty big task this time around but I feel that it is worth it and thankfully I have really supportive housemates and employers.
You’re also the organiser behind Fortnightly Fools – How has running a room influenced you?
Producing and promoting a regular comedy room is just a constant learning experience and you learn from constantly observing different acts in regards to what works and what an audience likes. The room has also allowed me to keep in touch with the Melbourne scene and meet so many wonderful, yet weird people and I am grateful for Bar Open allowing me to do so, and for being so supportive.
“Dude, Where’s My Chromosome?” runs from March 20th to April 10th. For bookings and further information, see the MICF website.
$2 from every ticket goes towards Turner Syndrome research and support.