North Brisbane’s Kate Kindleysides wins Melbourne International Comedy Festival Class Clowns competition
A North Brisbane teen’s side-splitting antics have gained her national recognition after she uncovered the secret to a good laugh in the country’s comedy capital.
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A north Brisbane teen has won a prestigious Melbourne International Comedy Festival competition, as the only representative from Queensland, as she begins her pursuit of a stand-up comedy career.
Kate Kindleysides, 16, picked up the microphone for the first time when she entered the Class Clowns program, which had over 150 entrants.
She won her heat, the state final and then took home first place at the national final last Wednesday.
The competition’s previous winners have gone onto major stardom in the Australian scene, notable winners include Josh Thomas, Annie Louey and Aaron Chen.
Kindleysides, from Nundah, said she had been a fan of comedy for a long time and saw the competition as the perfect opportunity to test her talents.
“I never really thought it would be something I would be able to do, it seemed so scary, but then I saw this opportunity and just gave it a go,” she said.
“It was my first ever time, it was really nerve-racking performing to hundreds of people at the Forum in Melbourne.”
Kindleysides was the only comedian from Queensland at the Final and said she was flying the flag for her State.
“When I won the Queensland final everybody told me I had to do it for Queensland and beat the other States.”
She attends Northside Christian College and said her success on stage was a huge confidence booster.
“It's really exhilarating to find something I am good at. I’m not great academically so it is great to find my niche and maybe something I can pursue in the future.
“Before I go on stage I am filled with so much nervousness and anxiety but once I get up there, it is such a rush of adrenaline and excitement.”
Kindleysides aims to perform at more local open mics around Brisbane and continue to improve her act.
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