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Courtney Dawson is a comedian based in Tāmaki Mākaurau. Photo: Supplied
Courtney Dawson (Ngāti Kurī/ Ngāti Amaru) broke into the comedy world just five years ago but has steadily been working her way to the top.
Making the call to jump on stage at the age of 30, Dawson quickly won a slew of awards including Best Newcomer at the 2019 NZ Comedy Guild Awards. Since then, she's appeared on Celebrity Treasure Island, Paddy Gower Has Issues, co-hosts Rags are Riches on Whakaata Māori - Māori TV and last month won Best Newcomer at the International Comedy Festival for her show, Dreams Are Free.
A comedian, writer and a mum to a teenage son, Dawson hasn’t had much time to reflect on her journey. Instead she is just taking every opportunity as it arises. Dawson’s father, Heta Dawson, who entered the comedy industry just a year before she did, encouraged her to give it a try and together they created a comedy duo Half and Hāwhe.
Heta Dawson has now turned the double garage in the family home into a South Auckland comedy club - kitted up black-out curtains, 35 chairs, camera and a state-of-the-art sound system. The hope is to host one comedy show per month in the family home and to provide a space and venue for artists and community groups in South Auckland.
Courtney Dawson joins Culture 101 for Fast Favourites.