Dripping irony as well as style, Vancouver comedian Tegan Verheul gives Sad Mag some insight into her creative process, riffs on the masochism of corsetry, and encourages us to imagine her as a goth.
Tegan will be our host for the upcoming Sad Mag Comedy show this spring!
Sad Mag: Who are you?
Tegan Verheul: Tegan Verheul! Actor, improvisor, sketch comedian.
SM: How were you involved in Sad Mag’s Glamour Issue?
TV: I got to be in a real cool photo shoot with some of my favourite local comedians and they made me look much prettier than I do in real life. You can’t tell, but I’m wearing a corset and it hurt so much that any time I laughed I also cried.
SM: What was the first comedic performance that you felt proud of?
TV: My friend and I wrote and performed some sketches in high school that our drama teacher claimed were the funniest he’d ever seen, and we ended up performing them for the whole school. A lot of people came up to me afterward and said they hoped I’d pursue a career in comedy. It was the first time I thought seriously about my asinine humour as a potential profession.
SM: How did you get involved in the comedy scene in Vancouver?
TV: I auditioned for the UBC Improv Team my first year of University, and was fortunate enough to befriend some very talented individuals. These people introduced me to the improv scene in Vancouver, encouraged me to develop my skills, and eventually formed Pump Trolley Comedy. Any other projects they started they invited me to take part in, and from that exposure I was asked to join Ghost Jail and given guest slots in a variety of comedy shows across town. In short, I’ve piggybacked on the success of others.
SM: Favourite Vancouver comics?
TV: I’m a big fan of all the lady comedians in town. They’re the funniest people I know. Vancouver has a talented group of hilarious women and it’s always inspiring to watch them in their element.
SM: Favourite comedic “genre” (i.e. improv, stand up, etc).
TV: Butt jokes.
SM: Best Vancouver venue/night for seeing said genre?
TV: The China Cloud for sure. There’s a butt joke quota you have to meet every time you perform there, or else they push you into a bucket of dirt. Also, that’s where Pump Trolley lives.
SM: Where are you as you answer these questions?
TV: On the floor of my cushy East Van apartment, surrounded by cookie crumbs, yelling at my cat.
SM: Last album you listened to?
TV: Black Sabbath – Paranoid. I’ve never let go of my goth years.
SM: What are you most excited about right now?
TV: The year ahead. Pump Trolley’s got some sick shows and festivals lined up, Ghost Jail Theatre has secured a monthly gig, plus I’m working on a few new projects (possibly involving a trip to Vegas?) and I am going to put some serious effort into doing more film and television, which has been my secret dream all along.
photo credits Alex Waber
For hilarity that keeps on twittering, follow Tegan @tegantegan
and if you want to be in the know with some of the funniest women in Vancouver, Tegan has the following recommendations (in no meaningful order):
Tegan invites all funny-loving people to attend Pump Trolley Presents: WASTED, which is happening at the China Cloud Monday January 28 and Tuesday January 29 at 9:00 (doors 8:30).