Skip to content

Jeez Louise: Deadly Funny Women for Reconciliation Week

When

Event Status

For Reconciliation Week 2022, hear from Steph Tisdell, Karla Hart and Maureen French as they reflect on the stories, opportunities and challenges faced by First Nations peoples in the world of comedy.

About

Australian comedian Linda Haggar launched Jeez Louise with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival two decades ago, at a time when the pathways for women into professional comedy were more difficult to navigate. The program continues to encourage women to become comedians, and support and celebrate those already in the industry, with panel discussions, keynote speeches, industry dinners and development workshops. All dedicated to listening to, understanding and amplifying the lived experiences of women in the entertainment industry.

At this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Jeez Louise focused in on the deadliest women in the biz by looking at the stories, opportunities and challenges faced by First Nations Australians in the world of comedy. Panellists Steph Tisdell, Karla Hart and Maureen French discuss firsthand how they have found solace, space and success by spinning their yarns on the page, the stage and the screen, to audiences around the globe.

The online panel is free to watch by registering online at comedyfestival.com.au. Once you have registered for a free ticket, content will be available in the On Demand section of your Melbourne International Comedy Festival account (from Friday 27 May – Friday 3 June).

For more information on how you can participate in Reconciliation Week or to view more events, visit nrw.reconciliation.org.au.

Be Brave. Make Change.

Presented in partnership with Melbourne International Comedy Festival

 

Accessibility

Closed Captioned

About National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

Learn more

Featuring

Karla Hart

Karla studied Aboriginal Theatre at WAAPA and is Alumni and holds a BA in Contemporary Arts majoring in Performing Arts from Edith Cowan University. Karla holds the 2021 Aboriginal Award for West Australian of the Year. Karla is an award-winning filmmaker, actress and radio personality. Karla was Pe... Read more

Steph Tisdell

Deadly Funny Comedy National Winner 2014, Steph was named Funniest Aboriginal Woman in Australia. She then moved to Scotland and was runner-up in Hilarity Bites Best Newcomer and a semi-finalist in the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny competition at the Edinburgh Fringe. Aside from tourin... Read more

Maureen French

Maureen French is a 70 year old Darug elder. Registered nurse still working in anaesthetics. Part-time stand up comedian. A wife, a mother and a nanna.

Stay up to date with our upcoming events and special announcements by subscribing to The Wheeler Centre's mailing list.

Privacy Policy

The Wheeler Centre acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Centre stands. We acknowledge and pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their Elders, past and present, as the custodians of the world’s oldest continuous living culture.