Alex Mackenzie from Prince George, B.C., is bringing his Happy Camper Comedy Tour to the Sault Community Theatre Centre on March 15.
Mackenzie – who left a six-figure job as a power engineer and instrument mechanic in 2019 to pursue stand-up comedy – has reached international acclaim, performing across Canada and Australia.
“I always liked stand-up, it was always a fun thing,” he said.
“But I just never thought I could do it.”
His journey into comedy began in his hometown of Prince George, where he performed at local open mics before opening for professional comedians.
“Being from Prince George, it’s like 80,000 people in northern B.C.,” he said.
Mackenzie had a podcast with a friend where he interviewed a comic from New York. After mentioning on air that he loved stand-up and really wanted to do it, someone reached out about a local open mic night at a pub. He performed and was happy with the results.
As his skills improved, he made the decision to sell his house and everything he owner and buy an RV to tour with his dog, Finley.
“Living in the RV was actually the idea before comedy,” he said.
“Because I was just getting really sick of life in general, just working to pay bills.”
He initially planned to create a travel vlog, but his comedy career began to take off, and he decided to combine his love for travel with his passion for making people laugh.
Mackenzie’s comedy style is upbeat and positive. His current tour features stories about van life with his dog, reflections on family and the possibility of having children, and his experiences with a speech impediment.
“I do a chunk on just being positive,” he said.
“I think today is the best time to be alive, there’s never been a better time to be alive than right now.”
Mackenzie addressed the negativity he sees in the world, aiming to offer a more optimistic perspective.
The comedian, whose online videos have gained over 60 million views, also touches on more serious themes in his shows.
“I always close my shows with a heartfelt speech,” he said.
“This one, I talk about the risk-reward, like, taking risks in life. And I talk about love.”
His performance is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. and run for approximately 90 minutes.
Tickets are available here.