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Prior to joining Laughing Matters, Jo spent many years as a very serious, professional Public Relations consultant with clients in industries as diverse as (but not limited to) telecommunications, IT, tourism, sporting, mining, retail, oil and confectionery. In 1997, Jo decided to toss in her suit, and follow her life long calling to write and perform comedy. (She is the youngest of five, after all.) With several years experience under her belt researching and writing speeches for senior executives, Jo easily combines her corporate experience with her natural talent (and, would you believe, love) for public speaking and being a bit silly. Jo also has a BA (Hons) from The University of Melbourne with a double major in Political Science. Some recent Hoaxes Jo has performed include:
TV and Radio Jo was a regular core cast member on the Seven Network comedy series Hamish & Andy (2004). She was also a regular core cast member and writer for the AFI-nominated Seven Network comedy hit Big Bite (2003). She has also appeared on Up Front (ABC TV), The Great Debate (Channel 10), thecomedychannel, Champagne Comedy on Channel 31, and was as a crazy vox pop interviewer/reporter on The Commonwealth Bank's in-branch TV program. Jo was a regular guest on the 3AK Breakfast show, and has been heard on 3AW, 3LO, Triple M, JOY FM, SA FM, Triple R, and JJJ. Script Writing - TV, Video and Theatre Jo was employed as a writer (as well as performer) for the Seven Network national comedy shows Big Bite (2003) and Hamish & Andy (2004). In 2005 Jo wrote for Foxtel's comedy show LoveMatch. In 2004 she was a contributor to Foxtel's Living With Footballers and children's program Auskick'n Around. Alongside David Lawrence, Jo has also been commissioned to write a short animated piece for SBS Independent TV. As well as plays, stand up and songs for five Melbourne International Comedy Festivals and Fringe Theatre, Jo has written a number of scripts for business. Corporate clients include Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, The Campaign Palace, Infosentials, Republic Films, RACV, Campbell Howie Productions, Toyota, and VicRoads. Jo has performed in the 1999, 2000 and 2001 seasons of Theatresports, and appeared in Impro Jim Jams at the Melbourne Town Hall (Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2001). Since 2000 she has performed improv comedy for organisations such as the Collingwood, Adelaide, and Richmond Football Clubs, Puma, Pioneer Electronics, Vodafone, ASIC, Grey Advertising, RACV, Mayne Health and the Monash Medical School. Jo has also made life difficult for a number of high profile MDs and CEOs as one of her favourite creations: 'The Temp From Hell'. She has also spent entire days with companies testing her ad lib skills as she pretends to be a weird new employee. Stand Up Jo has performed stand up comedy and/or sung with comedy trio The Sheryls at venues including The Espy, The Star & Garter, The Comics Lounge, The Armadale, Dan O'Connell Hotel, Silvers Nightclub, Chapel Off Chapel, Laundry, The Loft, The National Hotel Geelong, Club Odeon at the Crown Casino, The StoreRoom, Hi Fi Bar, Adelaide University, The Prince Pat and The Melbourne Town Hall. Melbourne International Comedy Festivals Jo has written and performed in five Comedy Festivals. In 2002 and 2003 she joined comedy group 'The Sheryls', performing four week seasons at Alfred Place and The Pony Club. The Sheryls also featured in the Festival's all-girl showcase Up Front (ABC TV), and were asked to appear in The 2002 Great Debate (Channel 10) at the Melbourne Town Hall. In 2002 and 2003 The Sheryls also sang with the Scared Weird Little Guys SuperBand. Prior to this she and David Lawrence wrote and featured in the Comedy Festival shows: 'AAA Aardvark Advertising' (Chapel Off Chapel, 1999) 'Chewy On Your Boot!' (Chapel Off Chapel, 2000) and 'In Detention' (Chapel Off Chapel, 2001). She has also appeared as a guest in the Festival
show Impro Jim Jams at the Melbourne Town Hall. Fringe Festivals In 2002 Jo co-wrote and featured in the Adelaide Fringe Festival show 'The Sheryls On Ice'. She also performed at the Adelaide Fringe Festival Club and sang with the Scared Weird Little Guys in the Famous Spiegeltent. In 2001 she wrote sketches for and appeared in the Melbourne Fringe show 'Full Metal Yashmak' at the North Melbourne Town Hall. Video Jo has performed in DVDs and videos for JeansWest, Pillsbury Australia, Infosentials, The Campaign Palace, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, DuPont (CD Rom), VicRoads and Walt Disney. Some of these are fairly embarrassing and will no doubt come back to haunt her.
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