Known not only as one of Canada’s most outspoken and hilarious women Dana was also at one point the only black female comedian on the circuit in Canada, drawing her material from her diverse lifestyle, her gay friends and her crazy Jamaican family. Dana hinted she may be in our neck of the woods this will be a lady not to be missed. We loved catching up with Dana she had many nuggets of wisdom to share with us about her journey in comedy . Dana we at #GirlsKillingit #SaluteYou
How did you get involved in standup comedy ? and for How Long ?
I started doing comedy at the age of 18. I went to "Victoria School of the Performing and Visual Arts" for high school and was heavily involved in musical theatre, improv, drama, directing, dance, guitar and acting. I was doing an improv class when an amateur Comedian actually suggested that I try stand up. So I did and it worked. There are not a lot of meaty roles for black women so I wanted to have control so Comedy was a good fit. I didn't have to worry about bad directors, actors, scripts or production. I was in control of everything I did and therefore if something went wrong I had the power to correct it. I have been doing comedy for 15 years.
What was your first big break in the industry ?
My half hour Comedy Now special on CTV the day I taped it Bernie Mac my favourite Comedian died.
What bugs you the most backstage about Standup Comedy ?
Snobs or Comedians who are not down to earth.
Do you think its harder or easier for women to get into Comedy ?
I could never know that as I have not been a man. Harder I presume because there is a preconceived notion that we are not funny. So we must over compensate with talent. So when the playing field is levelled and we are judged more fairly we will be at an advantage for because we have had to be funnier to be seen as equal and because of the over saturation of a very similar type comic and a gap in the market, I will be at an extreme advantage as a triple minority.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced / or face being the first black female stand up comedian in the Canada ?
No one knew where to put me, there wasn't a space for me. They see me as black and a women before a Comedian. I also had a strong start and that created a lot of issues with the other amateur Comedians. I did not fit into the "boys" club. But I had an epiphany at age 21 or so and it was, "Why am I trying to fit in with these guys? I am way more interesting and fun than them. They need to fit in with me." Do not seek approval from your peers, they are biased and your success in many cases can threaten their position. Your comedy is between you and the audience.
Being a woman do you find you are restricted in what you can and cannot say in your comedy sets ?
If I do blue material it is a little more shocking to an audience. There are a lot of double standards. If I am meant to be more reserved as a woman than I have less resource in creating material. The lesson being don't let people dictate who you are. Break the rules. The rules were created to restrict your success.
What do you love most about being a comedian ?
Seeing the world and having a lot of free time to learn and pursue my interests and people. I love people. Meeting people from around the world has been such a blessing I have learned so much.
What nuggets of wisdom would you give someone/ a woman wanting to go into standup comedy ?
Remember who you are. Take chances, be fearless and SUPPORT your sisters in comedy promoters will often make you feel that there is only room for 1 woman on a bill. THIS IS A LIE. And a few quotes from Rupaul have really inspired me. "If they ain't payin' your bills pay them no mind", "What other people say about you is none of your business" and "WERK"!
I started doing comedy at the age of 18. I went to "Victoria School of the Performing and Visual Arts" for high school and was heavily involved in musical theatre, improv, drama, directing, dance, guitar and acting. I was doing an improv class when an amateur Comedian actually suggested that I try stand up. So I did and it worked. There are not a lot of meaty roles for black women so I wanted to have control so Comedy was a good fit. I didn't have to worry about bad directors, actors, scripts or production. I was in control of everything I did and therefore if something went wrong I had the power to correct it. I have been doing comedy for 15 years.
What was your first big break in the industry ?
My half hour Comedy Now special on CTV the day I taped it Bernie Mac my favourite Comedian died.
What bugs you the most backstage about Standup Comedy ?
Snobs or Comedians who are not down to earth.
Do you think its harder or easier for women to get into Comedy ?
I could never know that as I have not been a man. Harder I presume because there is a preconceived notion that we are not funny. So we must over compensate with talent. So when the playing field is levelled and we are judged more fairly we will be at an advantage for because we have had to be funnier to be seen as equal and because of the over saturation of a very similar type comic and a gap in the market, I will be at an extreme advantage as a triple minority.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced / or face being the first black female stand up comedian in the Canada ?
No one knew where to put me, there wasn't a space for me. They see me as black and a women before a Comedian. I also had a strong start and that created a lot of issues with the other amateur Comedians. I did not fit into the "boys" club. But I had an epiphany at age 21 or so and it was, "Why am I trying to fit in with these guys? I am way more interesting and fun than them. They need to fit in with me." Do not seek approval from your peers, they are biased and your success in many cases can threaten their position. Your comedy is between you and the audience.
Being a woman do you find you are restricted in what you can and cannot say in your comedy sets ?
If I do blue material it is a little more shocking to an audience. There are a lot of double standards. If I am meant to be more reserved as a woman than I have less resource in creating material. The lesson being don't let people dictate who you are. Break the rules. The rules were created to restrict your success.
What do you love most about being a comedian ?
Seeing the world and having a lot of free time to learn and pursue my interests and people. I love people. Meeting people from around the world has been such a blessing I have learned so much.
What nuggets of wisdom would you give someone/ a woman wanting to go into standup comedy ?
Remember who you are. Take chances, be fearless and SUPPORT your sisters in comedy promoters will often make you feel that there is only room for 1 woman on a bill. THIS IS A LIE. And a few quotes from Rupaul have really inspired me. "If they ain't payin' your bills pay them no mind", "What other people say about you is none of your business" and "WERK"!