Ashley Burdett wins Winnipeg’s Funniest Person with a Day Job
Jessica Seburn, CONTRIBUTOR
Ashley Burdett encourages anyone who wants to try stand-up to just try it. THE PROJECTOR/ Jessica Seburn
Ashley Burdett, 33, is the winner of Rumor’s Restaurant and Comedy Club for Winnipeg’s Funniest Person with a Day Job competition.
Burdett, a hairstylist of 8 years at Hairplay Salon, has only been performing comedy since December of 2015.
Burdett beat out hundreds of local amateur and veteran comedians.
Burdett has been performing improv at Celebrations Dinner Theatre for almost a decade and in the improvised soap opera Soap Scum. Burdett was convinced by friends and fellow comedians to try stand-up comedy.
Host Ben Walker (right) crowns Ashley Burdett (middle) Winnipeg’s Funniest Person with a Day Job at Rumor’s Comedy Club. SUPPLIED/ Rumor’s Comedy Club
Burdett said she was initially hesitant about the idea because she didn’t have jokes or write jokes. Then after Dana Smith, a fellow comedian, pointed out how hilarious her Facebook statuses were, Burdett gave it a try.
“Ashley’s first set was at the women’s open mic, and she’s an amazing example of how crazy talented Winnipeg women are. The community is strong and supportive and only going to get better,” said Smith.
Burdett said she recently went through a breakup that left her devastated, and the thought of failing at stand-up comedy would only be a scratch on an already huge bruise.
“I don’t want him to think he has anything to do with how well I’m doing,” jokes Burdett.
She admits had she not been broken up with, she may not have done comedy.
“If I had still been in a relationship with him, I probably would have never left my comfort zone,” said Burdett.
Burdett jokes about her break up, cannonballing into a pool, being rejected by Jesus, and ghosts in her apartment.
“I once heard something described as wickedly silly, and that’s how I would like to describe my humour,” said Burdett.
Burdett advises anyone who wants to try stand-up comedy to just do it.
“What’s the worst thing that could happen? You go up and bomb in front of people? Nobody is going to remember it,” she said. “It may be awkward for the people in the front row, but they have other things on their minds anyway.”
Burdett took home a cash prize of $1,000, a trophy and the possibility of future shows at Rumor’s Restaurant and Comedy Club for winning the competition.
