GTNT giving Northern youth a chance to study stand-up
“Comedy is a serious business and all the drama in theatre happens backstage!”
For Dakota Ray Hebert, there’s nothing better than making people laugh. The Saskatoon-based entertainer has done stand-up across North America. She’s taking her experience and teaming up with her husband and fellow comedian Dylan Jay Williamson to show youth the ropes of stage life.
Dakota Ray Hebert has become a regular on Saskatchewan’s stand-up stage. (Dakota Ray Hebert)
It’s all part of Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre’s new Circle of Voices North program. This is a virtual 3-month class for students age 13 – 18 will include the ins and outs of theatre, stand-up and sketch comedy. Something Hebert wished was around when she was young.
“Sharing stories and jokes is a huge part of my life and I’m so excited to help these youth do the same.”
“When I was a kid, I’d listen to Jeff Foxworthy when I would go to sleep,” she says. “It’s a great leg up for aspiring comedians to learn from the pros. Sharing stories and jokes is a huge part of my life and I’m so excited to help these youth do the same.”
Husband and wife team Dakota Ray Hebert and Dylan Jay Williamson are sharing what they’ve learned on the stand-up circuit. (Dakota Ray Hebert)
In addition to her career as a comedian, Hebert has made waves with her work in theatre as a playwright, actor and director. She’s starred in APTN’s series Crazy Like A Lynx and keeps the laughs going with regular videos on YouTube.
The course will teach aspiring performers how to build a stand-up routine or set, the fundamentals of being on stage and writing sketch comedy. Hebert is particularly excited to be sharing these lessons with young people from Northern Saskatchewan.
“I’m stoked to work with the youth in Beauval, that’s where some of my roots are (Campbell family). The idea that I can work with kids from my rez is awesome!” She says, “Theatre and comedy have the power to teach self-expression and build confidence. I can’t wait to see them feel really good about their own artistic work.”
