Stand-up show puts spotlight on comedians with intellectual disabilities, challenges autism stigma

Comedians with intellectual disabilities are offering audiences a chance to laugh and learn while supporting charity.

Profits from an upcoming virtual comedy show will be donated to a local Manitoba charity dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults living with disabilities.

“I’ve been doing comedy for like 10 years,” said show organizer Adam Schwartz, who has autism.

“It’s all about having everyone represented”

Schwartz says two-thirds of the show’s comedians are neurodiverse comics from Manitoba and Ontario. A few of his comedian friends are also participating.

Neurodiversity is the concept that some developmental disorders are normal variations in the brain.

“I’m hoping to put a spotlight and awareness on the autistic and neurodiverse talent out there,” he said. “There are so many brilliant artists who are different, and that aren’t often getting a chance to shine in the spotlight.”

Salty language?
A few inappropriate jokes?
Perhaps.

This Friday
Inclusion Comedy Night on ZOOM
January 21 at 7 PM

2/3 of comedians have neuro diversities.
Tickets are $10.

Tickets here: https://t.co/HC9uXrui2x#MyWinnipegIncludesEveryone#MyStageIncludesEveryone pic.twitter.com/AzRJxKjfcs

— InclusionWinnipeg (@Inclusion_Wpg) January 17, 2022

Schwartz, a Winnipeg stand-up comedian, was runner-up for “Funniest Person with a Day Job,” an annual contest put on by Rumor’s Comedy Club.

Schwartz says when comedians with disabilities share jokes from their perspective on life, it creates positive feedback from audiences who haven’t had exposure to the neurodiverse or those living with disabilities.

“Someone came up to me once and said they were worried about their nephew because they were autistic and didn’t know what they were going to do about it, thinking just because they were neurodiverse, they were not going to live a full rich life,” said Schwartz. “And so by doing shows like this, I’m showing you can be different and achieve amazing things.”

The show will feature comedians such as Jared Nathan, Abby Falvo, Benji Rothman, Angie St. Mars, Meghan Riley and Pat Tiffin.

“If you have never seen anybody on the autism spectrum do comedy, or the neurodiverse spectrum do comedy, you’re in for some fun,” said Tiffin, a comedian living in Ontario.

“I have Asperger’s, anxiety, ADHD, fear of being alone… and that’s just the ‘A’s.”

The Friday, Jan. 21 show will last about an hour, and tickets can be bought online. The show is taking place virtually to allow for wider participation for those on and off the stage.

All profits will be donated to “Inclusion Winnipeg,” an organization that supports people living with disabilities.

The money will be used to fund advocacy work and help those experiencing difficulty navigating government systems to access services and care.

“The pandemic has obviously had a horrific impact on everyone but disproportionate for people with intellectual disabilities,” said Scott McFadyen, the director of development at Inclusion Winnipeg.