AMANDA GRAHAM
A&E REPORTER

Ashley Comeau was set on applying for the funeral services program  on the Ontario Colleges application site when she saw a comedy program on the list and changed her mind.
Now the Humber alumna will take to the stage with her comedy troupe Lusty Mannequins.
After graduating from the comedy writing and performance program in May 2008, Comeau has been on Toronto’s comedy scene performing on stages like the Second City and Bad Dog Theatre.
Proving that mixing business with romance really can work, Comeau’s newest comedic endeavour is with her boyfriend Connor Thompson and their act, Lusty Mannequins.
Comeau and Thompson met in the Second City conservatory program and began their troupe in the fall of 2008.
“It’s about making observations about the everyday life and relating to people, poking fun at it,” said Comeau.
“It’s going insane, doing crazy things and making even crazier characters.”
They said their act is a mixture of everyday banter, with imaginative characters portraying the humour in everyday life. Comeau’s and Thompson complement each other with their different delivery styles. Comeau is full of high energy and Thompson  is dead pan.
“On stage it never feels like I am on stage with my girlfriend, it feels like I am on stage with just another performer – obviously one who I respect and love what they do. But there’s not a little fire in the back of my head going, ‘this is your girl friend,’” said Thompson.
Although their performance is kept professional, Thompson only has good things to say on Comeau’s ability to bring characters to life.
“She’s just a great performer, she’s able to make audiences relate to her characters so easily. On stage she has a very powerful, almost frenzy, of energy,” said Thompson.
Taking a chance on the comedy program, Comeau was accepted after her first audition. Humber comedy program co-ordinator Andrew Clark taught Comeau.
“She was a great student – diligent, hard working, and generous with everything handed to her,” said Clark.
While anxiously awaiting the results of their audition for the Just For Laughs comedy festival, Comeau can be found performing in Welcome To Town at Bad Dog theatre.