ABOUT DAWN:
“Clever, clean and promising.”
“Funny, relatable, punchy!”
“HIGH ENERGY!”
Stand-up comedian Dawn Xanklin has been making audiences laugh since 2017. Born in Dominica, Dawn is based in Ottawa, Canada and has performed stand-up comedy in Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal.
A versatile comic, she performs both TV-clean content and content for more mature audiences. Her comedy inspiration comes from her experiences as a wife, mom, and proud Black nerd (or “Blerd”). She loves connecting with people through clever observations and authentic humor.
In 2019, Dawn earned a nomination in CBC Comedy’s Next Up competition. In 2018, 2019, and 2020, Dawn was included in the Ottawa lineup of the Underground Comedy Railroad – Canada’s longest-running, all-Black Canadian Comedy Tour. Recognized for her standout performances, Dawn was named Ottawa’s Best Comedian in the 2021 FACES Magazine Awards. She was a finalist the following year.
From 2020 to 2022, Dawn showcased her storytelling chops as the host and co-host of Ottawa StoryTellers’ popular (un)told series, which featured true stories from various voices. In June 2022, she performed in the “Rockabilly Heartbreaker” Signature Show.
Dawn’s creativity doesn’t stop at the mic. Offstage, as “Dawn Xavier-Franklin” she won or placed in public speaking competitions in Ottawa-Gatineau. In 2022, her first play called “Blurred Life” debuted with a staged reading in San Antonio Texas’ Overtime Theatre. In 2024, she was selected for the Ottawa Fringe Festival’s “under development” residency program, a prestigious opportunity given to fewer than ten projects that year. That same summer, she was awarded an ARTicipate 2024 project grant to support a stand-up comedy showcase she is producing in Spring 2025 at Ottawa’s Shenkman Arts Centre.
Dawn Xanklin’s journey is a testament to her passion for storytelling and audience connection. Whether she’s cracking jokes, sharing heartfelt stories, or breaking new creative ground, Dawn is always finding fresh ways to inspire laughter and bring people together.
Stand-up Comedy.
In Dawn’s words:
“ I performed my first stand-up set at 43 years old, in Ottawa.
It happened on March 8, 2017 (International Women’s Day). A local professional comic had been teaching stand-up comedy workshops that included joke-writing. These sessions included 5 minutes onstage at a new talent night at the local Yuk Yuks comedy club.
I’d signed up to learn about being funny on purpose. I wanted to learn more about joke writing so that I could use them in my Toastmasters speeches. I’d planned to cancel the performance part, but I was curious about what performing would be like.
When the big day came, I was still more curious than nervous. And, after doing my set, I was so ENERGIZED that I didn’t want to get off the stage. I hadn’t expected to find a passion like this by accident.
Six years later, I’ve performed stand-up comedy for different kinds of audiences: in clubs, independent stages, for suburban crowds, for university and college audiences, for corporate audiences, and on Zoom to audiences as far away as Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai! What do I think is funny? Everything. My first sets were about being a wife, Mom, and a Black Nerd (“Blerd”). Today, I write jokes about so much more.
In Spring 2022, I launched my first producing “experiment”: a stand-up comedy series called "Good, Clean, Fun(ny)”. It featured "Clean" or "PG-13" stand-up comedy twice a month: in open-mics (for practice), and "hybrid", showcase shows (pre-booked and paid performances) livestreamed to a larger audience). I had the chance to pay some comics I admired to take part. By 2023, I closed the experiment to focus exclusively on writing and performing. ”
(Portrait by: Angela Holmyard Photography, March 2023)
After March 2020, I discovered Zoom comedy.
"We're Black, we're Funny, and we're FABULOUS."
Absolute Comedy Ottawa. Photo by: Lusty Chuckle. (April 3, 2023)
"An hour of entertainment with performances from: Kenny Robinson, Dave Martin, Martha Chaves, Nitish Sakhuja, Dawn Xanklin and Kris Bonaparte."
In 2018, my stand-up set was included as part of a comedy showcase in a show at the Ottawa Fringe Festival.
I was in the lineup for the Underground Comedy Railroad Black History Month shows in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
SAVE THE DATE! Join a group of Alpha Comics on Saturday May 29 at 9PM in the @AlphaWomanCoMedy Club! Get your tickets TODAY.
New stand-up milestone unlocked in 2020: stand-up sets behind plexiglass. Here's me performing at Comedy at Eddy's (an independent comedy show) in Ottawa at Eddy's Diner.
I was in the lineup for the Underground Comedy Railroad Black History Month shows in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
"No Line To Cross" provided uncensored, online & worldwide comedy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Check them out on FB live & Zoom Sunday night @ 8pm ET. Support via Paypal at: Nolinetocrosscomedy@hotmail.com OR Patreon at: Patreon.com/nolinetocrosscomedy
Absolute Comedy Ottawa. Photo by: Lusty Chuckle. (April 3, 2023)
Still of me speaking at the "She's the Change" conference in 2018 and promotional materials from the conference, including a description of my story.
I've performed for lots of different audiences including independent shows and at open mic nights at comedy clubs like Absolute Comedy and Yuk Yuks in Ottawa, Canada.
Storytelling online, especially at The Iridescent Robot Storytelling Club, was one of my highlights of 2020. It gave me something uplifting to focus on and helped me to develop my storytelling voice. Support their work by donating to Curious & Kind.
Was so excited to be in the lineup at The Unknown Comedy Club in "The Beta Show", hosted by Mariam Khan.
I've performed for lots of different audiences including independent shows and at open mic nights at comedy clubs like Absolute Comedy and Yuk Yuks in Ottawa, Canada.
Making faces at Ottawa's SAW Gallery. (Photo by: Morris Rothman)
Absolute Comedy Ottawa. Photo by: Lusty Chuckle. (April 3, 2023)
Photo by: Angela Holmyard Photography
Absolute Comedy Ottawa. Photo by: Lusty Chuckle. (April 3, 2023)
Photo by: Zac Emery Photography (iliac cabaret show, 2019)
