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91原创 comic helps new talent navigate the changing business

Susan Thompson talks talent nurturing, joke telling, and New Westminster鈥檚 House of Comedy
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Susan Thompson graduated from 91原创 Fine Arts School, and works as a comedian. Submitted photo

91原创鈥檚 Susan Thompson is tearing up the local comedy scene in more ways than just performing her sets on a stage.

The comic, who was part of 91原创 Fine Arts School鈥檚 very first graduating class 25 years ago, said she鈥檚 taken a more of behind-the-scenes role.

鈥淚 am the lead support booker of featured performers at Rick Bronson鈥檚 House of Comedy in New Westminster,鈥 Thompson said. 鈥淭here are two other locations in Phoenix and West Edmonton Mall, but basically, we are planning on being the Comedy Store of the West Coast.鈥

Thompson has worked and toured all over Western Canada, for companies such as Laffs on Tour, Callback Entertainment, and Yuk Yuks.

She also works for Jake Hirsch Entertainment Group as a show producer and talent specialist.

On top of all that, she鈥檚 still busy on stage 鈥 due to perform end at the House of Comedy near the end of February and beginning of March.

Thompson said she鈥檚 working more on advisory roles and pushing towards the world of talent development.

鈥淲e are under-served in Canada and it needs lot of work. We鈥檙e just not as equipped as the United States to nurture talent. We used to produce the best comedians in the world, so I鈥檓 hoping to help give it the attention that it needs,鈥 Thompson explained.

She was quick to say the industry is in a bit of a strange place, making a talent developer all the more necessary in this day and age.

READ MORE: 91原创 comedian reflects on how the industry has changed

鈥淥ne person might say one wrong thing and their cancelled or whole career is destroyed,鈥 Thompson said. 鈥淏ut a comic鈥檚 job is pointing fingers at ridiculousness and creating a dialogue.鈥

Thompson also noted that women are still under-represented, but she was quick to admit that it will never be an equal playing field.

鈥淐omedy as the industry that it is, it鈥檚 still so new 鈥 42 years really. Diversity is going to take that much longer,鈥 she explained, but stressed women deserve an opportunity to have a voice.

After years spent in Vancouver, Thompson moved back to her hometown 鈥 91原创.

While she does commute to New West and larger centres for work, she gave advice to comics around town trying to get started in the business.

鈥淒on鈥檛 quit your day job,鈥 she teased. 鈥淲rite. Always keep writing and listen to that voice in your head to know there is a right place and a right time to tell a joke. Some people constantly argue free speech, but read your audience.鈥

The House of Comedy is located at 530 Columbia St in New Westminster at the Columbia Theatre, where LaffLines was formerly located.

Two separate spaces, The House of Comedy and The Attic, make up the club.

The Just for Laughs Northwest Festival is Feb. 13 to 25, and features dozens of renowned comics all over the Lower Mainland, including House of Comedy.

Joe 鈥淢r. D鈥 Dombrowski performs Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14 and 15, and Tim Dillon from Feb. 20 to 23.

March 13 to 15 will see the club鈥檚 first special event, performances by TJ Miller.

Tickets are available at and more on Thompson can be found at .

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