Ben MACGOUGAN - comedian
ON TONIGHT →

Names A- Z

PROFILE

Lesa McLeod-Whiting 2021

Lesa MacLEOD-WHITING

2025 Billy T Comedy Award Nominee

Lesa is an award-winning Wellington-based comedian, writer and improviser. 

In July 2020, armed with six minutes of jokes about Stage Challenge and thr*sh, Lesa began her stand up “career”, going on to nab the Runner Up spot at the Wellington Raw Comedy Quest and then nabbing no spot whatsoever at the National Raw Quest Finals. Despite this, she went on to win Best Newcomer at the 2020 Wellington Comedy Awards and is now a regular on the Wellington pro circuit.

Lesa has also been performing improvised comedy since 2016, and is a member of improv company Tiny Dog.

In 2019 Lesa co-wrote/directed/produced the sold out season of The Koru Hour for the NZICF.

Absurd characters and fast-paced silliness are her jam.

---

Awards:

Winner - Best Newcomer - 2020 Wellington Comedy Awards

Winner - Best Female Comic - 2021 Cartel Comedy Awards

Grand Finalist - National Raw Comedy Quest 2020

Nominated - Best Newcomer (Lower North Island) - 2020 NZ Comedy Guild Awards

Nominated - Best Breakthrough Act (Lower North Island) - 2021 NZ Comedy Guild Awards

AWARDS