With strong roots in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, comedian Fania Séguin will be returning to her roots on Saturday, November 4. She'll be taking to the stage at the Collège Bourget auditorium, opening for Michel Barrette in a show organized by the Club optimiste de Rigaud.

In fact, the young woman was born in Pointe-Claire, on the West Island of Montreal. Until the age of three, she lived in Rigaud before moving to Saint-Lazare, where she did all her primary schooling. Then, for high school, she headed for Vaudreuil-Dorion.

After graduating, she moved to Montreal to pursue her career as a comedian. However, she retains strong links with the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region, where she still travels frequently to see her family and many friends. In fact, many of them will be there to see her on stage on November 4, some for the very first time, including her 95-year-old grandfather. It's going to be a great time for both of them. 

"I'm lucky to be so well surrounded. Some of my family members and friends who will be coming to see me will be coming from as far away as Sherbrooke, Sept-Îles, Gaspésie and even Texas. Teachers who encouraged me to do comedy in high school will also be in the audience that night. I've sold, without any word-of-mouth, at least 150 tickets just to my friends and family (laughs). There are so many of us that we'll be holding a spaghetti supper in the Collège Bourget cafeteria before the show," says the friendly comic on the other end of the phone.

Michel Barrette: a childhood memory

Although she's not from the same generation as Michel Barrette, whose opening act she'll be supporting for the very first time, Fania Séguin knows the raconteur well.

"In my youth, we used to listen to the holiday classic C'est le temps d'une dinde by Roland Hi Ha Tremblay, the character played by Michel Barrette. We listened to it for a long time.So I knew who he was, and obviously I was very happy when I was contacted to open his show," confides the young woman who started out in comedy just before the arrival of the pandemic.Yet five years ago, the young woman never saw herself in the spotlight on a stage."If someone had told me back then that I'd be opening for Michel Barrette in November 2023, I'd never have believed it.I didn't go to the national comedy school. I tried to audition more than once, but was always turned down.I learned on the job, as they say, with a lot of ambition and courage.If you have a dream, it's important not to give up at the first hurdle.For my part, I've decided to trust life."

A resilient young woman

Resilience has been an integral part of Fania's educational and professional path.At school, the young woman had to redouble her efforts to blend in."I have ADHD, dyslexia and dysorthographia.So I quickly realized that I could fit in by making others laugh. I was sometimes pulled out of class because of that. But I realized that by being the clown, I could also bring people together," she continues.

Although she began her career in 2019, Fania is far from a beginner. She has taken part in the MiniFest and Zoofest comedy festivals since diving headfirst into the industry. 

A storyteller at heart

That evening, before handing over the stage to Michel Barrette, Fania Séguin will talk about her daily life. In particular, she will recount her childhood with a brother who is severely autistic and non-verbal. "It's a punchy, humorous number about the atypical family I grew up in. I hope to be able to raise awareness of the differences that exist in society. It's my favorite number of all the ones I do on stage."

Although she is opening for Michel Barrette, also a comedian in his spare time, she has no idea what he will be talking about in his show. The pair have never met or shared the stage before this upcoming evening in November 2023.

"I know he received the contract with my photo and a short biography introducing me. He's agreed to let me open for him, so that's a good sign (laughs). Seriously, I'm very happy and I can't wait to meet him and I'm feverish thinking about this evening."

Is she putting pressure on herself by thinking about the mandate that awaits her, which is to open the evening for this monument to comedy?" I try not to think about it too much (laughs). When I got the call, my hands started shaking. But I'm very serene as I prepare for the show. I'll be at home, in a place where I feel good, in front of people who love me and will be there to support me. I know my lines and I'm confident in my material. It would be a nice dose of love in the making. I'm confident and well surrounded, so I know everything will go well."

A busy winter

Fania's next few months will be busy as she hosts and participates in Ski que c'est drôle! comedy evenings at Val-Morin's Belle-Neige ski resort. "Last winter, the project was born, and it allowed me to expand my network of contacts and meet several fellow comedians. Last year, we held four evenings of this type on site, attracting between 60 and 120 spectators each night. A great success. This project is very much in my image: colorful, retro and warm. I'm very happy to be repeating the experience this year."

In closing, what message would she like to give people? "To follow your dreams. If you're really motivated, go after your dreams despite the obstacles. When you really want something, you can achieve it. The comedy business isn't easy, but you have to persevere if it's really your passion, and don't listen to those who say to find a plan B, even if they're not doing it in bad faith. The sacrifices are worth it. If you put in the effort, something beautiful will grow," she concludes.

You can find out more about Fania Séguin and follow all her projects on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fania_seguin/?hl=fr.