These comedians are from all over the world and are considered our alumni. They have appeared at Comedy Dawgs in the past but aren't guaranteed to be at our shows each week. We do however, hope they will return when visiting our great city of Halifax in the future. Contact the Top Dawg on upcoming renunions of alumni returning to Comedy Dawgs.

If you are looking for a biography on a specific comedian please use the trusty links below to expediate your search (obviously - we suggest the old fashion way, scroll down through the entire page and read about all our dawgs)!

Joseph Mauricio is a veteran of thousands of stage performances, both as a stage and improv actor and more recently as a stand-up comic. He co-founded Comedy Dawgs while living in Halifax as a student of meditation master Sakyong Mipham, Rinpoche. He's well behaved, doesn't hump the furniture and is well past shedding stage. He has moved back to his native New York City to be further paper-trained and is currently in production with his no-man show, "Here From There". Joe considers Halifax his second home, which is strange since he still can't afford a first one. A lifelong aficionado of sea culture, he was often seen looking mistily at Theodore tugboat after swimming dizzily in the bathroom of the Palace. All this after a quick visit to the citadel. The culture! The culture! Joe will be returning to Ginger's Stage as soon as someone comes to get him."

Jesse Joyce was founded in Pittsburgh in 1978… Jesse Joyce the comic was also founded in Pittsburgh in 1998. Since then he moved to New York City and has been making a name for himself in cities and countries you’ve heard of as one of the hottest young comics working today. He attributes his comedic instincts to growing up with his entertaining family. His t.v. appearances include Entertainment Tonight, and Lifetime. He’s been on satellite radio a bunch of times. For the better part of 2003, he was brought on as the head writer for a fledgling comedy cable network called Jokevision by the producers of The Food Network. He wrote, sold and shot a pilot for Jokevision entitled “Stop me if You’ve Heard This” which you will probably never see until an E! True Hollywood Story comes out about his sorted past. He has also written numerous t.v. and radio commercials as well as various print ads. In 2001 he was awarded 2 American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) for his writing.

Want more information? We've got good news for you... since he's was an Alpha Dawg you can read an extended biography about him!

His website is: www.jessejoyce.com

Mark is a comedian with an incredible ability to combine razor sharp comedy with a dazzling array of celebrity impressions. His insights into the idiosyncrasies of life combined with his impressions of everyone from Jimmy Stewart to Joe Pesci have led him to become one of Canada's most celebrated comedians and voice impressionists. Originally from Truro, Nova Scotia, Mark has been headlining at comedy clubs across Canada and internationally since 1988. He has also been invited to numerous comedy festivals including Montreal's Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, the Halifax Comedy Festival, and the Cape Town Comedy Festival in South Africa.

One of the strongest performers on the international comedy circuit, Maritime Canadian Jason-John Whitehead has done nothing but go from strength to strength since joining the comedy world in 1998.  In 2000 he cemented his position as one of the strongest new acts to watch out for with immense success at the Edinburgh fringe festival. He is an engaging performer who has successfully combined a British comedy savvy with a North American sense of tact and presence. It is hard to pigeonhole the Canuck's style, as he seems to draw influences from all over the comedy spectrum.

This year he has proven himself to be one of the most prolific writers around by returning to Edinburgh with a second full length solo show to follow up last years sell out success 'Immigrant'.  Whiteheads comedy has taken him to all corners of the world, having performed at festivals in the Netherlands, Britain, Australia, USA, and of course his native Canada. Whitehead has doubtlessly developed some of the most exciting contemporary comedy around. Having written and performed in his own pilot for BBC3, as well as being commissioned for various other writing projects, many feel the best is yet to come. And considering the accolades he has already generated, it should be quite a ride.

His website is: www.jj.whitehead.name

Life outside of Nova Scotia is difficult for Andrew to understand. From the silly to the socially relevant, nothing escapes this sarcastic Maritimer's look at big city and pop culture absurdities. Andrew digs deep to make the mundane fascinating, and the complicated, simple. It is a style making him accessible to both the audiences at the Tim Sims Playhouse in Toronto, and a neighborhood pub in Halifax. After winning the Laugh Resort's funniest person with a day job competition in Toronto,Andrew was invited to perform for the first time at the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal.

Want more information? We've got good news for you... you can read an extended biography about him!

His website is: www.angryandrew.com

One of the first-rate, young joke writers on the Canadian comedy scene, Darryl Purvis has the ability to poke fun at the unsuspecting characters and absurd subjects that cross his path. The kind of comic you'd welcome at your table for coffee or a pint. Purvis, through his act and his stage persona, radiates a clever blend of intelligence, insight, charm and warmth - all wrapped up in a down-home, east-coast sensibility that's embracing an urban hipness. "The Nova Scotia-born funny man always makes it look easy... some of the sharpest sarcasm and satire around." -NOW Magazine. Darryl has starred in his own episode of ComedyNow and has also appeared on numerous other television and radio programs.

Want more information? We've got good news for you... you can read an extended biography about him!

His website is: www.darrylpurvis.com

Specializing in college shows, he has performed at fundraisers, nightclubs, cafeterias and even in barns. His philosophy is a simple one: Truth. Twisted, nonsensical, dark and silly... his show is thrilling and extreme. Appearing frequently at every major city and most small cities in Canada, come see something you haven't seen before, and won't ever see again.

His website is: www.shaneogden.com

Noel James has been around for a long while, and he's built up a reputation as "the comedian's comedian". Quite frankly, he's insane. That is meant in a good way of course. Noel is from Wales, and has a very strong accent that perfectly suits his surreal observations. Whether it be his army of puns ("I went into a hairdressers and asked for a number two…I came out with a turd on my head" and rambling stories (his tale of doing an impression of the dog's bollocks was particularly inspired) he puts the audience in hysterics.

Want more information? We've got good news for you... you can read an extended biography about him!

His website is: Noel James

New to Comedy Dawgs, Andrew's first time on stage was "solid" (Chronicle Herald). Born and raised in Halifax, Andrew's comedy is based heavily on his experiences with his mother and television and pretty much anything else that rubs him the wrong way. A member of the Halifax West Improv team, Andrew spent his school years writing sketch, performing plays and anything else that would keep him out of math class.

Originally from Cape Breton, Mike MacQueen started his performance career with the Comedy Dawgs. Recognized as one of Halifax's foremost stand-up writers, Mike has already headlined a tour for Yuk Yuk's. "He's young, he's cute, he's talented - man, are the old men of comedy going to be in trouble."

From Liverpool, Bryant has been performing stand-up comedy for a scant few months, but in that time he's garnered the attention of the Halifax Comedy Fest, Yuk Yuk's and Humber College. Referred to as "The Phenom" (Top Dawg), as well as "horny deadbeat" (Dal Gazette) Bryant is the prime example as to the untapped resource of local comedy being developed by the Comedy Dawgs. Hopefully some day Bryant will learn he is not black.

Nathan was accepted into Humber College's Comedy Program before even learning that a comedy show exists here in Halifax. Born and raised in Halifax Nathan graduated from Halifax West last year with Honours. His mother is very proud, and agrees with Nathan that there are too many neurosurgeons out there. Nathan is a strong advocate for Red Headed rights.

A professional stand-up comedian performing in the Top comedy clubs across Canada. In 1999 Ron won the Craven A's funniest home grown competition to represent Burlington in the prestige's Just For Laughs comedy festival in Canada's search for funniest new comer. We were lucky to have him on the Comedy Dawg stage.

Gavin Stephens has performed at the Just For Laughs and Atlanta Comedy Festivals and been featured on StarTV and CBC Radio's "Brave New Waves" as well as being one of the principals on “Comedy Inc.” Popping through the maritimes he called Ash looking to do some time on the Comedy Dawg stage.

He has been featured on "Comedy at Club 54" repeatedly. Stan is the quintessential Everyman. Before stepping on to a comedy stage, he worked on an oil rig, drove truck, was an apprentice electrician, a substitute teacher and a cable TV installer. Stan appeared on the our stage just weeks before being stabbed in his home town of Hamilton. Stan’s made a recovery, but it scared us all and reminded us how precious the laughter is. Best wishes Stan.

Kristeen is one of the most polished and talented young comics on the comedy scene today. She is a smart, sophisticated comedian with a contemporary twenty-something point of view. Over the past number of years Kristeen has amassed many TV credits and garnered much media attention. She stopped in for a quick set whilst touring with Stan Thomson.

With the philosophy of “Let the show do your talking for you” Chuck has been wowing audiences for close to two decades. Luckily this Yuk’s comic came through Halifax and let us see his great stuff.

Growing up between Canada and the Bahamas Kevin never fit in. He neither learned to ice skate or kill a shark with a rum bottle. His credits include Comedy at Club 54, Halifax Comedy Fest, a profile on Star TV and being chosen to play himself on Pryor Offenses by Richard Pryor himself. A writer for This Hour has 22 Minutes, he’s also toured the festivals (Montreal’s Festival Just For Laughs, the Ha!ifax Comedy Fest, the Vancouver Comedy Festival and the Chicago Comedy Fest). We’ve also been lucky enough to see him here on the Comedy Dawgs’ stage.

A native of New Glasgow, Peter Anthony enchants audiences with that rare ability to not only craft clever comedy, but to express his opinions as well. His comedic voice is contagious and he is constantly pushing the envelope to bring originality and passion to the stand-up comedy stage. In his opinion, comedy should be not only be funny, but provocative. So expect anything but the mainstream from this compelling performer.

His website is: www.peteranthony.net

A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Ryan Murphy left his hometown in 1995 after realizing all the good sheep had been taken. He hasn't looked back since, creating original content for HBO, A&E, The History Channel, Walt Disney Studios, FOX Filmed Entertainment, the WWE, Maxim, and many more. As a stand-up comedian Ryan has graced some of the largest stages across North America, including appearances at the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival, the Vancouver Comedy Fest, the Calgary FunnyFest, and the Boston Comedy Fest. Ryan has also graced some "stages" that were just overturned tables in dimly lit Legion Halls. It just goes to show you. In addition to his performance background, Ryan has taught comedy writing at Concordia University and is an award-winning short story writer.

This Halifax native describes "Gingers Tavern" as being "one of the best rooms in the country". His intelligent wit, charisma and intensity not only creates but commands the audiences full attention. This has helped him perform, with confidence, across the country and at large venues in NYC. Craig's postive, optimistic and worldly demeanor might explain his "been-there-done-that" approach to not only comedy but to his life all together. Whether it be slap-stick or an ever so sublte open handed slap in the face, Craigs presence will sting you! He is certainly a comic worth watching out for.

A recent Graduate of the Dalhousie Theatre program. Bill has been performing with the Improv Knights every week for the last three years. He was chosen to be one of twelve comedians to compete on the Life Network's reality show "Sketch Troop". His experiences there were a crash course in sketch and also gave him the opportunity to perform at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival. Bill has also co-created two hit fringe shows Electron Armageddon and It's in the Bag. He performs stand-up with the Halifax Comedy Dawgs and recently appeared in Sam Shepard's Cowboys #2, and The Trailer Park Boys.

His website is: www.henmen.com

Larry Laing is a life long resident of Halifax and is brand new to the comedy scene. After years of making excuses recently he finally took the leap and landed on the Comedy Dawgs stage. He draws heavily on his life experiences telling stories only as the person who has lived them can. Larry figures that a life of misadventures has to be good for something it might as well be a laugh!

Jason Leonardo Ranger, a combination of a Ninja Turtle and a Power Ranger rolled into one. Jason is a separated, single man with two children, yet Jason is still a physically fit specimen on the top and bottom parts of his body while it seems the middle needs some adjustments. He has been highly influenced by highbrow physical comedy. An absurdist, come journey through his mind… Wear your seatbelt!

Frank started when comedy at the age of three by telling fishing stories while sitting on his Aunt Pricilla’s knee. He has performed at Yuk Yuk’s and frequently appears in variety shows at the Pond Playhouse on Purcell’s Cove Road. Originally from Westville, Frank knows small town mentality and likes to incorporate that into his act. This along with 17 years as a Driving Instructor has given Frank a wealth of material from which to draw.

Sometimes called the pirate, this loud intelligent comic can be found ranting on U.S. politics and wrestling. Obviously wrestling is the nobler of the two. Chris also has more religious education than any other Dawg, seriously - he's a rabbi.

One of our new faces. With sets on sexual politics… okay let's face it sex! Jill Allen is has a unique perspective of the world that she's unafraid to share with the world. Careful, she may steal your girlfriend!

A graduate of the Humber College Comedy Program, Mitchell has returned to the Maritimes and now resides in Prince Edward Island. Yes, he has his own bat cave. The Comedy Dawgs' resident renaissance man, Mitchell can be found on stage doing sketch, stand-up, reciting Haikus or just admiring beer. Mmmm yes beer.