Edmonton NDP MLA delivers stand-up act with comedy routine

MLA Sarah Hoffman has a side gig outside the Alberta legislature, she's a stand up comedian. CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson has the story.

A familiar face in Alberta politics took centre stage performing her late-night comedy routine Wednesday night.

Sarah Hoffman, the NDP MLA for Edmonton-Glenora, and other up-and-comer comedians presented their best seven-minute set at the Maki Maki Restaurant at 81 Avenue and 101 Street in front of a live audience.

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Her not-so-kid-friendly routine touches on her political background, cracking jokes about her family – especially her dad – and her observations within the community.

“It’s such a fun hobby. I have met so many really interesting people telling jokes … it’s been a good way to be able to have (a) way to compartmentalize, find some humour at the end of the day, and still work to connect with people,” Hoffman said on Wednesday night before her set.

According to Hoffman, she added comedy to her portfolio after running for the NDP leadership race.

While the position ultimately went to Naheed Nenshi, she took the time to reflect on the experience, which led her to discover new talents.

“One of the things I loved doing in the leadership race was showing up in rooms where not a lot of people know me (and) being a little vulnerable and sometimes making people laugh,” she said. “I feel like I get to do that through stand-up.”

Hoffman signed up for a six-week stand-up comedy workshop held at the Grindstone Theatre. With only 10 others in her class, they came to the workshop with the same goal: to make people laugh.

“Things in provincial politics, and politics in general, and (are) quite polarized and quite divided, but what makes people united is when we get a chance to laugh together,” Hoffman told CTV News Edmonton.

“It’s been a good way to be able to have some way to compartmentalize, find some humour at the end of the day, and still work to connect with people,” she added.

She said that one of the things that good politicians do the best is how they’re connecting with people. Hoffman added the comedy club is a great place to hear people’s best stories and to shed some light on her bright personality.

“It’s nice to let people know a little bit more about who you are, and sometimes politicians feel reluctant to do that,” she said. “I think it is important for us to find ways to be ourselves and also do a great job on behalf of our constituents.”

Before taking the stage at Maki Maki, Hoffman made sure to build her comedy chops up by performing at various open mic nights before performing in front of family and colleagues.

“I wanted to find out if strangers found me funny before real people that I knew personally found me funny … When I performed for my mom, my friends, Naheed Nenshi and Rachel Notley, I felt pretty good about it, and that room felt electric.

“It’s such a good release when you hear people laugh at something that you thought was funny and you nailed the delivery,” she added.

She said while most people have a positive reaction to her bit, she’s not immune to the wrath of hecklers.

“There’s some people who I can tell in certain rooms don’t love me and they’re trying not to laugh (but) when I can make them laugh, I know it’s a really good joke,” she said, adding that most people are just there to enjoy the show and get some laughs in.

While being an experienced public speaker, performing in the name of comedy is “always nerve wracking,” Hoffman said.

“You want to do a great job, and you want people who show up with an expectation to have that achieved, so you do your best to tell your best jokes and make them laugh.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson