Clifton Cremo, Eskasoni, Nova Scotia
How Clifton Cremo turned a spark of laughter into a career in comedy
For Clifton Cremo, a stand-up comedian from Eskasoni First Nation, laughter started close to home. Growing up surrounded by family and community on Cremos Lane, Clifton learned the power of connection early on.
“You don’t realize how special that sense of community is until you get older,” he says. “Everywhere felt safe, and there’s a comfort in knowing everyone around you.”
Inspired by his mother’s love of comedy and his grandfather’s sense of humour, Clifton’s exposure to humour grew into something more. After attending an improv camp at age 12, he tried his first open mic years later just to impress a former camp counsellor.
“I did pretty well my first time,” he laughs. “That’s what lit the spark under me.”
Soon after, Clifton headlined a show that drew over 100 people, with friends and neighbours from Eskasoni filling the crowd. Feeling the full support of his community, Clifton knew he wanted to keep going.
Since then, Clifton’s career has continued to build momentum. He’s performed at the Halifax Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs in Toronto and Vancouver, and been featured as a writer on CBC’s This Hour Has 22 Minutes.
Still, making a living in the arts in Cape Breton comes with challenges. Clifton emphasizes how crucial arts funding is, especially in marginalized communities where people are often just trying to make ends meet.
Since 2013, the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation has supported arts, culture, and heritage in communities across Nova Scotia through its Support4Culture program, funded by the proceeds from designated lottery products. To date, Nova Scotians have raised almost $42 million for Support4Culture.
Clifton says funding like Support4Culture makes pursuing a career in comedy possible. “The funding I received allowed me to go on my first headlining tour. It gave me time to focus on my craft—writing, modifying my act. It’s allowed me to grow so much as an artist.”
His recent tour ended with a hometown show at Sydney’s Highland Arts Theatre, where Clifton recorded his first comedy album.
For him, the impact goes far beyond one performance.
“Funding programs give artists the time and opportunity to focus on their craft, express themselves creatively, and make this a career,” he says. “Without the arts, you don’t have culture, and without culture, you don’t have identity.”