Conquering Fear: The Rise of Abby Stonehouse
If you're at all aware of the Montreal comedy scene, you've heard of Abby Stonehouse. This year she's the official Accessibility Ambassador for Just For Laughs, taking the stage in the festival's first fully hearing accessible shows. The Include-ME show will provide a variety of ways for the hearing vulnerable to enjoy the evening, including a live ASL interpreter.
How did we get here? Well, it all started simply enough. In the 2010's Abby Stonehouse, a Montrealer with a winning smile, was going about her business. At the time, she was obsessed with a little podcast called You Made It Weird hosted by comedian Pete Holmes. "When I discovered it, it was already 200 episodes in and I was determined to catch up. I loved hearing about these creative people's lives and their lives as stand up comedians. Their artistic process and their passion for the art of standup comedy. It was during that time I started writing down some of my own jokes that popped into my head. I had no intention of sharing these jokes with anyone. They were just for me. My little secret."
That podcast led her down a rabbit hole, one comedian leading to the next. "I started researching his guests and the classic comedians his guest talked about. This is how I fell in love with people like Moshe Kasher and Rory Scovel and started diving into the classics." She rewatched Carlin and Bill Hicks, noting how the material hits differently as we age. "I feel like I’m still on a journey of discovering standup comedy."
When Just For Laughs rolled into town for the 2015 season, Pete Holmes was on the lineup and Abby was hell-bent on being there. "This would be my first stand up show that I would ever attend. I remember being so excited that I would be in the same room as this comedian I adored. I walked into this small venue off of St. Catherine Street, and was swept up by the whole atmosphere. His openers and him captivated the audience so beautifully. I left there obsessed with the magic I just witnessed."
And here's where stand-up comedy enters in earnest. Abby started going to comedy shows around Montreal every weekend. She dated an aspiring comic for a time, and even though they wrote jokes together, sharing them was more complicated. "It took me years to build up the courage. I was very introverted and fearful of being the centre of attention. But because I loved the joke writing process so much I needed to give it a try."
When that guy got the opportunity for his first stage time, Abby decided she would do it too, and on August 16, 2017, Abby made her comedy debut. "I don't remember any jokes I said, but I remember them not being funny. I got off the stage so happy and wanting more. The dude I was with went on stage, did very well and never did stand up ever again. Not even a year later I was performing at the OFF-JFL. And two years after that I was producing my first show in the same venue that I saw Pete Holmes perform for the first time. I’m so glad I conquered my fear."
While she deserves all the good things that come her way, none of it was handed to her. Abby's positive nature keeps her facing the sun, and it isn't her nature to brag, so I'll do it for her: She's one of the hardest working people I know. She has her own podcast, writes, produces, and performs regularly. Additionally she advocates for accessibility for the hearing impaired, recently hosting a virtual conference for the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association. She's Forget The Box Fam in her role as Community Ambassador, and an all around great person. All this to say, she focuses on the rainbows, not the puddles, but as artists know, it can be a tricky road to take. "It's really hard to make a living here in Montreal doing this. And there’s no clear path or instruction manual for this career. Everyone has their own trajectory (or demise). I’m still figuring it out."
Having a podcast was a goal even before Abby took the stage, but the practical details of making it happen were daunting. Now with House of Stone, she gets to chat with funny humans, just like Pete Holmes does. "The concept behind House of Stone grew over the pandemic. I had more time to write and I knew I wanted to incorporate my storytelling into the podcast. Because of my love for podcasts like YMIW I also knew I wanted to get real about life with a funny guest. When I had the concept I secured some funding for the project to help with the technical aspects I was so overwhelmed with. I’m so happy and proud of how this podcast came together. And I’ve been really loving the process."
Abby doesn't force levity when speaking with her guests. The pod proudly creates space for the "nitty gritty", keeping things real, and peeking into the shadows with her guests. It's a place where stories of mental health struggles or overcoming addictions are brought to light to break the silence and squash stigmas. "What I’ve learned about my guests is that comedians are always loaded with stories. Eager to share. A lot of us have had many challenges and barriers in life. There’s also this drive in them that is often so inspiring."
As a podcast-loving artist myself, the winding journeys and heart driven commitment are exactly what I want to hear. I find strength in the reminder that my ideal life was never going to be linear, and I'm in good company for it. As always, we're told at every turn to join the status quo, give in, give up, and settle down into mediocrity. But some of us have something within us that demands more, and cannot be quelled unless we're actively chasing our dreams. I'm bingeing House of Stone now, and I'm finding those people in spades. In fact, I messaged Abby to find out when I can expect more. "The next season of HOS will probably happen in the next few months," she tells me. She's waiting on funding, and I have my fingers crossed along with her.
The overview of Abby's success thus far is impressive. She's been part of ZOOFEST twice, this year being her third. Plus, this year she makes her Just For Laughs debut, recording House of Stone live. With all of that, the Include-ME show is a very personal jewel in her expanding crown. She herself lives with hearing loss, and her father is deaf, giving her personal insight into the ways we still need to work toward inclusive spaces in the arts. It's a driving force in everything she does, something she hopes to take much farther. "I would love to bring accessible shows to other provinces."
Making her Just For Laughs debut is a big check off her list of goals, making space for new ones. "I’m stoked to finally be part of the JFL lineup. Now that I know the festival more, there are different tiers of JFL that I would like to achieve. I'd like to be named a New Face, I’d like to have a solo show. The path isn’t linear and it’s easy to get discouraged but it’s important to focus on the writing and the art."
With her growing success, Abby still keeps her feet on the ground and her heart in the local community. She's quick with guidance when asked, possessing a wealth of knowledge she's acquired thus far on her journey. She believes that high tides raise all boats, and everytime I speak with her I'm left confident that when people stick together, we can accomplish anything we set our hearts on. She knows that comedy can't exist in a vacuum, that none of the arts can.
Our time coming to an end, I ask Abby for some words of wisdom, advice for people who feel called to unconventional paths. "Do it! What do you have to lose? Nobody’s path is the same. May as well spice it up a bit!"
Catch her at JFL & ZOOFEST this year, get her podcast wherever you get them, and come to all her shows when they happen. We'll definitely keep you up to date.
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