Janice Bannister
Lead Instructor, Owner, Stand-up Comic, Humourist Speaker, TEDxSFU Presenter, Show Producer, and Author of Zero Books (But Two Interactive Plays!)
Janice Bannister has been the lead instructor at Laughter Zone 101 since 2003 and developed stand-up comedy programs for Douglas College, Capilano University, and the Capilano Kids in Comedy summer camp. She also teaches "F is for Funny: Discover Stand-Up Comedy" and "Arts & Brain Fitness" for SFU’s 50+ Continuing Studies program.
Janice has a background in Psychiatric Nursing and she combines her experiences as an RPN and a stand-up comic to entertain corporate clients and comedy club fans.
Janice has also taught for Stand Up for Mental Health and Comedy Courage, producing two of their gala fundraiser shows. In addition to teaching, she offers private coaching for comics and speakers, with clients landing Amazon comedy specials, TED Talks, keynote speeches, one person shows, and paid feature spots at comedy clubs.
A two time winner of BC’s Funniest Female (2003) and multiple other comedy awards, Janice has performed at the Vancouver International Comedy Festival, JFL, The Women’s Network, I Am Woman Hear Me Laff, The Ha Ha Sisterhood, and many more.
She’s also a keynote speaker at conferences, sharing insights on "Laughter: A Wellness Tool" and "The Wrinkle Revolution," and has been featured on CBC, The Vancouver Sun, and other media outlets. In 2023, she was a featured TEDxSFU presenter.
Other credits:
Aunt Martha’s Funeral co-writer, Director, Producer
Aunt Biddy’s Wake co-writer, Director, Producer
Producer:
BC Funniest New Female Competition (2013-2021) coming in 202
F is for Funny (x2) (Anvil Theatre)
The Mother of All Comedy shows (Surrey Arts/Anvil )
Laughs From the Past (Surrey Arts)
Done is Better than Perfect (2016)
One woman show 2021 “The Weirdest Year of my Life”