Neurohilarity pitches jokes from beyond the spectrum

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This article was published 27/04/2022 (1348 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Adam Schwartz likes telling jokes. He likes telling them so much that he’s been cracking them for the last decade.

The Winnipeg comedian is a regular on the circuit and has gained praise for his standup shows, which focus on the challenges he faces as someone on the autism spectrum.

Schwartz, who was diagnosed at age 12, says joking about his experiences lets him express the truth about the way he feels.

Schwartz’s standup comedy, which questions perspectives and subverts accepted narratives, stems from his belief that people on the neurodiversity spectrum can achieve incredible things.

“Most of my jokes come from my life with autism, my experiences and my thoughts,” he says.

“Doing standup comedy has helped me come to terms with my autism. The more I wrote about being awkward the more I have come to terms with it.”

The 36-year-old is a regular at open-mic nights and has performed at both the Edmonton and Winnipeg Fringe festivals. He has also authored four books, and he offers comedy-writing workshops as well as public speaking consultations.

Schwartz most recently produced a virtual comedy show Neurohilarity in January this year with comedians such as Pat Tiffin, Abby Falvo and Jared Nathan performing on Zoom.

He is back at it this month, but this time onstage and this iteration of Neurohilarity on Friday is set to showcase seven neurodiverse acts talking about their lives.

Comedians Daniella Kayahara, Meghan Riley, Scott Porteous, Going Greene, Scott Koropas and Rajat — all of whom are either autistic or have extreme social anxiety or ADHD — will perform alongside Schwartz.

It’s important to Schwartz that neurodiverse comics are given a platform.

“Neurohilarity puts the spotlight on neurodiverse comics as well as comics from other marginalized groups,” he says.

“It will also focus on the diversity in neurodiversity.”

“Other people such as Dana Smith have done a great job with her women’s open mic and The Woke Show does a great job giving a platform for BIPOC comics but there are no shows giving people with disabilities or neurodiverse people a platform other than the once a year shows like Sick +Twisted’s cabaret and Inclusion Winnipeg’s Art Festival.”

Schwartz hopes to put on shows in October, December, February and April.

“Inclusion Winnipeg and I are currently working on getting grants so we can make it a quarterly show in partnership with Crescentwood Community Arts Centre.”

“We will have headliners like Lara Rae, the former arts director of the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and Big Daddy Tazz for the quarterly show. We also are in the Winnipeg Fringe,” Schwartz explains.

His ambition is to have neurodiverse comics from other cities come to Winnipeg and perform.

“Some comics, like Rhiannon Archer, who has ADHD, are extremely accomplished. As well Michael McCreary, Pat Tiffin, Curran Dobbs, who are all autistic. Mike is doing a TV gala for CBC and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival in May,” he says.

There will be two shows on Friday. The family-friendly “clean” show starts at 7 p.m. and a “dark and dirty” late-night show kicks off at 9:15 p.m. Both shows are available in person and livestreamed.

Tickets to stream the show are available at eventbrite.ca/e/neuro-hilarity-tickets-292659511477.