Scott Dumas headlining comedy show in Yorkton

Tapp’s Sports Lounge and Grill will host the sold out comedy night Oct. 1, featuring host Jarvis Zawatsky along with Eric Bzowy and headliner Scott Dumas. 

Dumas, who grew up in the Ottawa area, didn’t start out wanting to be a comedian. 

“I worked in finance in my 20's in Ottawa; Freedom 55 with London Life, the Bank of Montreal as a Financial Services Manager,” he told Yorkton This Week. 

And then something changed. 

“One week before my 30th birthday I bolted towards the mountains by driving my jeep to Calgary to re-locate for my bank job.” Recounted Dumas. “While working here I found out by accident, that there was a Yuk Yuks in Calgary. I went down to see an amateur night. I was hooked.  

“I had watched comedy at Yuk Yuks in Ottawa for years and always thought I could pull it off.” 

And then the door opened for Dumas. 

“They started doing workshops at the Calgary Yuk Yuks on Tuesday nights, which was amateur night. I went down for the first workshop ever. I was asked that night if I wanted to go on that night. I said yes -- had a blast for five minutes.  

“Three months later I quit my bank job and pursued comedy.” 

It was a big step, and interestingly Dumas went that direction for a less than conventional reason. 

“I wanted to do comedy because nobody else wants to do it,” said Dumas. “I am not afraid of the stage.  

“And I only wanted to work four hours a week and have my days off.” 

Material for Dumas comes from observing the day-to-day. 

“I tell stories about my life and also observational humour,” he said. 

“My process of writing is basically making lists of things I think are funny. I play around with one story, then play around with another story. And that second story calls back to the first story. 

“I also play the guitar and sing some dumb songs.” 

For influence Dumas said comedy is now his job, so he works at it. 

“I get my influence from being afraid of working a full time job,” he joked. 

And, of course he has those he admires too. 

“I really like Brian Regan, Stewart Francis, Jim Carrey, Derek Edwards, Mitch Hedberg -- too many to mention,” said Dumas. 

So where does Dumas hope comedy takes him? 

“I like to say that my goal was to headline a Yuk Yuks club. I have blown past that and frequently headline clubs all across the country, except my home town of Ottawa. The guy doesn't like my act,” said Dumas, who is well-travelled now. 

“I have done comedy in every province and two-of-three territories – performed at the YYCOMEDY Festival, FunnyFest, and most recently, Okanagan Comedy Festival.  

“I run a successful monthly show for the last five years at artsPlace Theatre in Canmore, Alta.  

I also am in a film. I play a doctor in February's Dog, which is up for a Rosie Award at the Alberta Film Board.”