Damian Callinan
Comedian available for hire, based in Victoria
Damian Callinan is an award-winning standup comic, TV sketch show performer, broadcaster, actor and writer. He is best known to TV audiences for his roles on Skithouse, Before The Game and Comedy Slapdown as well as being a regular guest on Spicks 'n' Specks. He is also a fixture on The Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala and is a regular on 774ABC Melbourne.
Damian's diversity sees him in high demand as a character actor, headline comic, director, corporate speaker, MC and Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow cast member but it's his prolific output of one man shows that has earnt him the most accolades. In 2010 he received a 3rd nomination for the prestigious Barry Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for The Merger which has continued to tour nationally from 2011-2013. A film version of the show is in early development. Concurrently he has also been touring The Cave To The Rave - A Comedy Dance Lesson which saw him win the ABN Amro Foreign Exchange Award to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe. The show has just completed a 6 week tour produced by Country Arts WA.
In 2012 Damian's solo show Robinson Crusoe premiered at the Adelaide Fringe Festival before going onto a critically acclaimed season at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. His most recent creation, Roadtrip, is a comic collaboration with comedian Mickey D and documentary film maker Charlie Hill-Smith. The Roadtrip team spend 36-48 hours in a town before performing a 90 minute live show with edited footage based entirely on the community. Country Arts SA previewed a season of the show in 2013 and it will be touring nationally in 2014 with a TV pilot of the project in the works.
In 2011 Damian appeared in the State Theatre of South Australia production of The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare - Abridged. The season at the Adelaide Festival Theatre was followed by a regional tour of South Australia. A remount of the play is underway for a national tour in 2013. Damian has performed in 3 previous productions of 'The Complete Works including 2 seasons at the Sydney Opera House alongside the likes of Frank Woodley, Erik Thompson and Darren Gilshenan.
Damian is also a winner of the prestigious Piece Of Wood Award for the Comedians Choice at the for his show Spaznuts. He is also took out Best Comedy at the Melbourne Fringe Festival for Sportsmans Night and has twice been a recipient of The Moosehead Award at MICF.
He is a much sought-after comedy director and workshop leader in his work in the education sector in particular, is a major feature of his practise and a continuing source of new ideas across all his work.
"Damian is a standout, gifted Comedian and MC with a great ability to tune in to any audience. I first saw him as MC of the annual "Opera in the Otways" [Cape Otway/ Apollo Bay - 300 people] He was very funny and entertaining. The second time was as Comedian - 'Troy the country football coach' at the Bendigo Bank State Conference [450 people - Bankers and Partners] He had the room in stitches and did not offend.Thoroughly recommend." Creswick Community Bank
"The Roaring Forties Club has engaged Damian not once, not twice, not three times, but four times in two years for functions from 80 to 650 guests where we have needed the best Australian comedy has to offer. He knocked 'em dead every time. Totally different shows each time, delivered with sparkling visual and voice skills. A special talent" Roaring Forties
"If you're at a Damian Callinan show and you're not laughing hysterically it's most likely because you have fallen off your chair. Damian's characters and observations are hilarious - they have you smirking one minute and doubled up with laughter the next, it seems he is happy to poke fun at anything that moves. Attend a Damian Callinan show and we challenge you not to laugh." The Cube Theatre, Wodonga
