Creative ‘disability’
Lahna Turner says ADD, dyslexia helped her become comedian, songwriter
Lahna Turner’s life isn’t always about comedy. In fact, in the past week, the comedian has been working on postproduction for a documentary. “All the music is so expensive,” she says. “I decided to write my own music and use that in the film. We needed something for the closing credits.”
The Canadian native has continued to cut her teeth through touring and songwriting. Turner will get on stage and perform comedy tonight at Kilt Check Brewing Co. She also released the comedy special “Lahna Turner: So … I Wrote a Song About It Uncensored,” in 2018.
Comedy wasn’t always on the front burner for Turner. As a child, Turner moved with her family from Canada to Houston, for her father’s career with Exxon. While attending grade school, she was diagnosed with dyslexia and attention deficit disorder.
“School was a challenge for me, but I realize now as an adult that kids learn differently and the way my brain works makes me very creative,” she says. “I view my ‘disability’ as a superpower that has made me a great comedian, songwriter and successful in so many unusual ways.”
At Texas State University, she studied fine arts with a focus in photo technology.
At 19, she became an intern for The Associated Press, which eventually led to a full-time position with the organization.
Her comedy career began in Houston, where she performed three comedic songs at an open mic night.
“I always wanted to write songs and discovered comedy as an amazing outlet for my songwriting,” she says. “I think I can get away with a lot in my comedy, because it’s not coming from a malicious place. I often think, if I were a man, would my comedy be viewed a different way?”
Turner married comedian Ralphie May in July 2005, and the pair have two children together.
May died in October 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the past two years, Turner has spent time figuring out her new reality and the balance that is needed for her professional and private life.
“I’m not a single mom, but I’m an only mom,” she says. “I don’t have somebody to help take the kids or help financially. I’m very fortunate and lucky that I’m able to make a living doing comedy. The kids are really great. They’ve never seen my act before. All they know is that mom is funny. When they were younger, they would go on the road with me and Ralphie. They’ve caught a little bit of it here and there.”