In our ongoing profile series of the people who make up our arts precinct, we talk to Susan Provan, Festival Director/CEO at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) about her road to this role, the importance of diverse perspectives, and her pick of the program this year. 

 

What attracted to you to the role at the Comedy Festival?

I love live comedy and the unpredictability and sense of adventure that drives it. I had worked at Melbourne’s legendary Last Laugh then travelled the world including to the Edinburgh Fringe 3 times with Circus Oz, so when I was offered the Comedy Festival role it was a no-brainer. Everything I loved in one job with huge space for growth. 

What is your leadership style?

Probably pretty annoying to be honest. We never have enough money to pay enough people to make things easy so I expect everyone to jump in especially at peak times. A short meeting is a good meeting so everyone can get on with it! Luckily I have a team who love this event as much as I do so they deliver then have a cup of tea and a lie down in July. Comedy is a very subjective artform so I’ve always counted on the differing opinions of my programming team to arrive at a balanced and widely representative mix in our program. 

What was the last show you saw that rocked your world?

I was thrilled watching comedy icon Denise Scott host our Gala a couple of weeks ago. She’s been appearing at Comedy Festivals for as long as I’ve been in comedy and to see the full Palais crowd go wild as she smashed it was very special. 

What are you most looking forward to seeing?

Every Festival is a great opportunity to see the next gen emerging. Our Comedy Zone cast, giving RAW Comedy alumni a chance at their first full festival season, is a cracker this year. So many famous Australian comedians have come through Zone. Hannah Gadsby, Ronny Chieng, Celia Pacquola, Josh Thomas, Sam Taunton, Tom Ballard – their baby faces adorn Comedy Zone posters from years ago around our office. I urge everyone to get in on the ground floor with this one! 

What’s on the horizon at MICF that we should keep our eyes out for? 

The 2026 Comedy Festival Roadshow kicks off straight after the Festival because who needs a rest??? Ninety dates across the Nation – from Broome to Burnie, Cairns to Canarvon, Alice Springs to Armidale, we take comedy to every corner of Australia. If you prefer your couch, The RAW Comedy National Grand Final, the Deadly Funny National Grand Final, The Asian Allstars Gala and our Oxfam and Opening Night Galas will be streaming on ABC iView and SBS online!

 

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is on from 25 March to 19 April. Explore the program here: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/

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