Neil Thornton is an award-winning comedian, MC, writer, and life-long teacher.

As a comedian, he cut his chops in the tough New York City comedy scene before moving to New Zealand with his husband in 2014. Since then, he's performed up and down New Zealand and all over the word, with sold-out shows in New York City, the Edinburgh Fringe, and Provincetown, not to mention everywhere from Auckland to Queenstown to bowling clubs in the middle of nowhere for confused sheep farmers. He's a regular at The Classic in Auckland, produces dozens of Wellington comedy shows, and appeared in the TV3 comedy special "After Hours."

He's also been a teacher for more than 30 years, teaching university-level Writing, Composition, Creative Fiction and Nonfiction, Technical Writing, and Managerial Communication. He was also a sought-after coach and instructor for high-stakes standardized testing in the US (SAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT) developing an expertise in the science of learning and anxiety management.

In 2017 he founded the NZ Comedy School, helping a wonderfully diverse array of people find their unique voices through the art and craft of stand-up comedy. 

Best MC, 2022 Wellington Comedy Awards

Best Comedian, 2020 Wellington Comedy Awards

Best Male Comedian, 2020 Cartel Comedy Awards

Outstanding Contribution to the Industry, 2023 NZ Comedy Guild Awards

Best Mentor, 2021 Cartel Comedy Awards

Best Industry Helper, 2018, 2019, and 2020 Wellington Comedy Awards

Best Comedian, 2020 Cartel Comedy Awards

Goodest Out of Towner, 2022 Good Times Comedy Awards, Christchurch