Jeez Louise: 2002

Linda Haggar received "The Melbourne Fringe Award for Outstanding Contribution to Industry Development" - for doing a damn fine job of creating and running Jeez Louise. Awright!

"The most positive development of 2002 was "Jeez Louise", the comedy convention for women convened by Linda Haggar and held during the Fringe Festival. Attended by female comics from all over Australia, Jeez Louise was inspiring, informative and extremely timely."

Fiona Scott-Norman in The Age 13/12/2002
TV and Radio comedy's new centre stage

What's it all about?

The 'JEEZ LOUISE - Funny Women's Forum 2002' is a weekend for (mostly) women in comedy to get together. Forums, workshops, specialist talks, and information relating to the comedy industry will be presented by successful professionals including personal managers, venue owners/managers, publicists, producers, television & radio production people.

It is a chance to meet both long-standing professional comedy performers & discover some of those who are brand new to it. There will be lots of drinking, eating, yacking, sharing and having a good time with a lot of emphasis on the good time bit.

Conceptualised and produced by Melbourne comedian/writer, Linda Haggar (of 'Miss Itchy' infamy), Jeez Louise - Funny Women's Forum was proudly hosted by Melbourne Fringe Festival

When was it?

Over the first weekend of the Melbourne Fringe Festival on
Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6 2002

Events commenced at 9:15 a.m.
detailed timetable here

Where?

North Melbourne Town Hall,
cnr. Errol & Queensberry Streets,
North Melbourne, Victoria.
Melways Ref 2A J10
look at our map

Who may register?

Anybody at all with an interest in the promotion of women in comedy. And that means yes men, too! It's not just about stand-up comedy; it's about comedy performance in all its various forms from stage to television, literature to radio, management to film.

It is open to performers, managers, producers, sticky-beaks and anybody else with a common interest in women in comedy.

There is a limit of 120 participants so registering early is a must.

What can I expect?

Two days of funny girl's stuff.  Hands-on workshops headed by some highly successful women such as Rachel Berger, Christine Basil, Meshel Laurie, FoxFM's Jodi & Jo with many more offering up their time and expertise. Well published comedy writer (tv, radio, newspapers and two of her own books) Catherine Deveny will be there to impart her knowledge with a writer's workshop as will a few other well known writers.

Group Forums with questions on topics like "How Do I Get Started?", "Where Do I Go From Here?" and "How Do I Sell Myself?"

There will be specific exercises for women brand new to comedy by working with a seasoned performer/writer and a chance to do a quick "show us yer wares" bit if they would like to.

Meeting performers, producers, photographers, managers, columnists, venue owners/bookers and quite a few surprise activities/events.

You can also expect good food, good booze and lots of good laughs.

...and finally, Why?

I decided to hold this after I had suggested holding a few small workshops (with a few other experienced comics) specifically aimed at helping the newer girls in the biz (or those wanting to get into it), with a bit of a bunk-up.  The response I got was overwhelming with approx. 60 emails recieved within two days.  It seemed to want to go further. I hope that this forum in particular goes further with little offshoots of some of the girl's own devising.  So this is one of those 'mystical patchwork quilts' of getting together and getting balls rolling.

I think it's a valuable thing to do regardless of gender but I hardly want to go into the whole tired argument of why 'boys are different from girls.'  It never hurts to support each other is what I've found.  And it certainly never hurts (much) to having parties and get togethers involving likeminded people... oh, and grog!

Without the dedicated, immeasurable help from Donna Benjamin, Linda Catalano & Meshel Laurie this forum wouldn't have even happened. I will never be able to thank them enough but watch me try.

~ Haggar

Jeez Louise - Funny Women's Forum. April 9 2005
presented by The Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Home | 2004 | 2002 | Message Board

Web hosting provided by Creative Contingencies