Six female and non-binary performers have been named recipients of the 2023 Stand Up! grants program by the state government to present shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, in an effort to continue striving towards equality in comedy.
The comedians will receive $5000 each and professional development to mount their upcoming shows.
Recipients include Daisy Webb, Grace Jarvis, Hannah Camilleri, Rose Bishop, Sashi Perera and Scout Boxall.
“The recipients join a list of comedic talent including Aurelia St. Clair, Alex Ward and Urvi Majumdar, whose Stand Up! grants were a springboard to global comedy stages, as well as podcasting, writing and acting gigs,” the government said.
“The Labor government and Comedy Festival are working toward better equality in comedy and the Stand Up! initiative is one of the ways women and non-binary performers are encouraged to take the stage.”
The 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival is running from Wednesday, March 29 to Sunday, April 23 at venues through Melbourne.
Creative Industries Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the Stand Up! program will help performers take the next big step in their careers.
“Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the most important platforms for comedians to grow audiences and hone their craft, with this initiative acting as a global springboard for Victoria’s emerging talent,” he said.
Festival director Susan Provan said the grand recipients were outstanding representatives of the “funny, clever generation of performers emerging from Victoria’s dynamic comedy scene right now”.
“These voices will be making noise and gathering fans in the coming years and we can’t wait to celebrate their successes,” she said.
Details: comedyfestival.com.au.
