The beast that is Melbourne International Comedy Festival

I came to Melbourne to meet people in the industry. So much of my comedy is self-produced that I feel very much on the outside of an industry that is made up of mates doing each other favours and offering each other opportunities. I thought, if I can connect with some people on the inside, who knows what could happen? Then there are the shows. I have done five so far - each with very different audiences - not just in size: 49, 21, 16, 9 and 23. My favourite part is connecting with people and they tell me that my stories have made a difference in their lives. And then there’s how I feel about the show, the art and my performance. I go to see other comedians perform, hoping to crack the code of being a polished orator and a sharp writer. I can see the gaps in my show or the tweaks I need to make, but I feel so ‘in it’ that I’m struggling to see an alternative pathway than the well-trodden tracks in my brain. This is my first solo show and my first festival. There’s still so much to learn.