Local comedian featured on New Wave of StandUp

West End

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This article was published 06/09/2023 (825 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A talented Winnipeg comedian has earned a spot on the new season of CBC Gem’s New Wave of StandUp.

New Wave of StandUp showcases talented comedians from across Canada, and Chad Anderson fits the bill. Based in Winnipeg, he has performed at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs Toronto, Odd Block Comedy Festival and Arctic Air Comedy Festival. His resume also included several appearances on CBC’s The Debaters, and was a cast member in Mary Walsh’s Canada, It’s Complicated. Anderson’s debut album, Live at Wee Johnny’s, is in regular rotation on SiriusXM.

Anderson said he was fortunate to get a spot, given the number of talented comedians working today. A Just For Laughs booker saw his show in Winnipeg, and he happened to travel with a former booker to the Arctic Air Comedy Festival.

“After that, I got an email that said they’d love to have me on New Wave of StandUp,” Anderson said.

Anderson draws on his own life for most of his material. The father of a 30-month-old daughter, the West End resident shares child-rearing stories and contrasts his approach with how his parents raised him. Another topic is sharing his journey to connect with his Indigenous roots after he was adopted by a non-Indigenous family.

“I like to have fun, that’s the main thing,” Anderson said. “The goal is for people in the audience to enjoy themselves.”

Anderson used to discuss politics more in his act, but he’s gotten away from that. Given the tension associated with some issues in today’s society, are there any topics he avoids?

“If one is off limits, then they all are,” Anderson said. “You can’t pick and choose what is safe to talk about and what isn’t.”

While talented performer can safely address most topics, each comedian has to be aware of their limits.

“If you’re not able to joke about a sensitive topic, if you’re punching down on racial issues where a minority group is a punchline and it’s hateful, then you shouldn’t do it. Don’t do it if it’s risky and you can’t do it in a delicate way.”

Anderson can often be found at one of Winnipeg’s numerous comedy venues when he’s not on the road. We’re lucky to have such variety, he added.

“There’s a place almost every night of the week,” Anderson said. “Winnipeg has an amazing comedy scene. I think we have one of the strongest comedy scenes in the country.”

Chad Anderson’s set is now available at gem.cbc.ca/the-new-wave-of-standup/s04