Finding the funny in Ballarat

A TASTE of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival came to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute last Friday evening.

The first workshop and heat of Class Clowns, an open mic comedy competition for young secondary school-aged people, was held in the Minerva space, hosted by Melbourne-based stand-up comic Josh Glanc.

There were six contestants representing Ballarat schools, including the heat’s winner, Ashley Johnson-Shortis from Ballarat High School, who all presented three-to-five minutes of original material.

BMI arts and events officer Katrina Hill organised the line-up and was impressed with the quality of laughs the contestants brought out of the audience, which was made up of their families, friends and members of the public.

“This was the third time Ashley has competed and the second time they have won this heat,” Ms Hill said. “One time they were a wild card.

“Ashley had clearly listened to feedback from last year’s judges and was relaxed and comfortable delivering content. They were funny.

“The audience was the biggest we have had for Class Clowns with the pay as you feel ticket price.”

Class Clowns national winner for 2022 and Loreto Ballarat student, Erin Almeida, was one of the judges, alongside fellow comp alumni Luke DeBurh, and they said they were wowed by the performers.

Community heats and state finals are set to be held throughout the country this term, before the national grand final is held during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival this autumn, where the winner will take home $1500.

The competition is free and designed with an aim to engage, inspire, and celebrate young people aged 14 to 18 with an interest in comedy and performing arts.