Squamish comic Kelly Dyer is officially on the Canadian comedy starting roster.
Dyer signed on the dotted line with Yuk Yuk’s Canada at the end of June and he said it’s another step in solidifying his burgeoning comedy career.
“Signing offers you some stability and really helps your career for touring,” he said, noting that he has the ability to get booked at any Yuk Yuk’s club across Canada thanks to his deal. “You get more paid work in the city you’re living and it gives you some credibility – if you’re signed by Yuk Yuk’s you’re a good comic. There’s only about 150 or 160 in Canada.”
The path took some time, as Dyer has been cracking wise on stage since 2009. He said he struggled at a Vancouver showcase last November and failed to get signed, but a trip to Toronto changed his fortune.
“I was pretty beat up after being turned down,” he said. “But comedy is like a war of attrition, you have to keep doing it and stuff will happen if you’re good at it.”
He booked a handful of Toronto shows and impressed the higher ups at Yuk Yuk’s, who inked him shortly after his performance.
“It’s pretty cool to be signed,” he said. “That was one of my goals when I first got started. If you’re a Canadian comic it’s the logical next step you take to bring your career to the next level.”
Dyer said he’s done over 120 shows in 2014 already and sometimes performs two or three times a night.
“I worked my tail off leading up to Toronto,” he said. “Comedy is like a muscle and you need to keep working it out.”
Dyer, who works as a full-time carpenter in West Vancouver part of the year, will be touring Alberta in October and throughout British Columbia for the winter.
In August Dyer experienced a career high when he opened for Saturday Night Live alum and movie star Rob Schneider. Dyer said it was a thrill to work the same room as the star of Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo.
“Rob was doing a fundraiser out here and before his set he asked me and a few other guys if we wanted to do some time,” he said. “Those are the best words any comic can hear. He couldn’t have been a nicer guy and it was a huge highlight for me. Not only did he offer me a guest spot, he also watched my set and gave me some feedback.”
Comedy fans can see Dyer in person at The Livingroom when he hosts a comedy night on Sept. 18. Comedians Byron Bertram and Jon Cole are the headliners and Dyer said it should be a night filled with laughs.
“Byron is one of the more successful touring comedians in Vancouver,” he said, noting he’s travelled to Europe, Asia and the Middle East to perform. “He’s really skilled at voices and accents. Jon is a Yuk Yuk’s signed comedian and has toured all across Canada. He’s got a bizarre slant on everything.”
Dyer also promised a few short guest spots for a few young up-and-coming mystery comics from Vancouver. Tickets are $12 at the door, which opens at 6 p.m., with the show getting underway at 8 p.m.
