Island comedian to host webinar for P.E.I. Writers’ Guild

Whether considering dipping a toe into stand-up comedy, prepping for the next fringe show or just wanting to tell better stories at parties, Heather Jordan Ross (BBC Radio 4, OutTV) is here to help people talk funny.

In partnership with the P.E.I. Writers’ Guild, Ross will be offering a webinar titled Funnier in an Hour: Comedic Storytelling the evening of Thursday, May 6.

Ross previously partnered with the guild in February, offering a three-week workshop on comedic storytelling. It drew participants from across Canada and had a wait list of interested participants. This one-hour webinar is the guild’s response to recognize Ross’ popularity and offer another chance for aspiring and established writers to practise their comedy skills.

Funnier in an Hour, which will take place online, will guide participants through basic joke structure, performing with confidence and making a good story great and a great story funny. There will be opportunity for a Q&A session at the end of the session.

Her personal, acerbic storytelling has been featured on OutTV, CBC’s The Doc Project and BBC Radio 4.

She holds an honours bachelor of journalism from the University of King’s College and a masters in Screenwriting

with distinction from Screen Academy Scotland.

Originally from Fortune, P.E.I., Ross currently lives in Edinburgh.

Since Ross's last session sold out quickly, those interested in attending this webinar are asked to register as soon as possible. The cost is $30 for guild members and $25 for non-members.

To register, visit peiwritersguild.com. Two bursaries are also offered for marginalized writers or for those who find the cost prohibitive. For more information or to apply, email peiwritersguild@gmail. com.

“Teaching my first session in February was such a joy,” said Ross. “In a year of difficult stories, it’s a pleasure to share the art of levity and laughter. Islanders are so funny naturally — it’s just about learning the structure to make it shine!”

Like most organizations, the P.E.I. Writers’ Guild has had to switch to primarily online programming due to COVID-19, but president Christine Gordon Manley says there are benefits to going online.

“We miss in-person workshops, of course, but going online has expanded our roster of facilitators. We normally wouldn’t be able to bring Heather Jordan Ross to P.E.I., for example.”