Jo is an Ōtautahi Christchurch based comedian, improviser, and actor.  By day she also works as a psychiatrist, author, and film producer Dr Jo Prendergast. Jo is often tired.

Jo was nominated for Breakthrough Comedian at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards 2020.  She was long listed for the prestigious Billy T Award in September 2023.  Her multi award-winning debut comedy show “Jo Ghastly : The Cool Mum” sold out the entire season with 5- star reviews at Adelaide Fringe 2023, had full houses at the NZ International Comedy Festival 2023 and is touring to Melbourne Comedy Festival and Edinburgh Fringe in 2024.  Jo’s second solo show “Cancer and Cartwheels” is touring the South Island January 2024.

Screen appearances include feature film “The Stolen” and TVNZ’s “Adam and Eve Show”. Jo has recently featured as a guest on a wide range of TV, radio, and podcasts in NZ and Australia including The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show, The Project, Channel 9 Today Extra, ABC Weekend Breakfast and TVNZ Breakfast.

Jo’s teenage mental health book for parents ‘When Life Sucks’ was released by Harper Collins September 2023.

AWARDS