Nelly has a mind-boggling array of jobs from high-level policy and research jobs to dressing as rooster for a fast-food chicken outlet. She’s finally found one she likes:
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Stand-up Comedian
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Comedy/performance workshop facilitator
How did Nelly become a comedian?
Nelly burst onto the comedy scene quite by accident when she attended Linda Haggar’s Jeez Louise Funny Women’s Forum 2002 as a writer and somehow got roped into getting up on stage for the Faux Show. Battling nerves, she did an impromptu five minute stand-up piece and, as luck would have it, was spotted by a booking agent who offered her a “proper” gig at the legendary Prince Pat Hotel in Collingwood. Her friends came, they laughed and then some more stuff happened…
What has she done since then?
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National Winner: Triple J Raw Comedy Competition 2003
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Two stints at the world’s biggest comedy festival the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
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Four Melbourne International Comedy Festivals
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Two Melbourne Fringe Festivals
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Four stints on the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow tour of Australia with the likes of Daniel Kitson, Maria Bamford, Tony Law, Fiona O’Laughlin, Akmal Saleh, Cal Wilson and Kitty Flannigan
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Directed Barry Award Winner Maria Bamford (USA) in Plan B at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2005
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Has written and performed several ground-breaking shows for the Royal Women’s Hospital combining health promotion and comedy including a show for young women about sexual health called The Condom Dialogues and one about consent called The No Means No Show
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Has performed hundreds of private and corporate gigs for various organisations such as Department of Human Services Victoria, South West Institute of TAFE, The Gawler Foundation, Amnesty International, YWCA, Orygen Health, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Whittlesea Council and many, many more.
What is she on about?
Nelly’s comedy is often described as “intelligent” and “sophisticated” which amuses her no end given that she’s watched Neighbours for 20 years. She does concede a strong interest in all things political and sociological though and likes to think while she laughs.
When you see Nelly gigging around town you’re like to hear her chat about any number of things including:
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Current events & politics
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Growing up in the country
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Sport
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Being a parent
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Sex and sexuality
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Health issues
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Andrew Bolt
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Just about anything else…
Somehow she manages to convince you that all these topics are related. Remember: laugh then think, it’s much nicer that way.
