The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival

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TOsketchfest22 Line-Up Is Here!

Posted on: March 3rd, 2022 by TOsketchfest Staff

From March 23-27, 2022 get ready for TOsketchfest22 – Screen Time Edition. Our 17th Annual Festival will once again take place completely online with live and on-demand screenings full of all of the trusted sketch comedy goodness you expect from us. Tickets and passes are on sale now!

We are so proud to reveal the line-up and schedule for TOsketchfest22, which will feature over 100 hilarious titles with a wide variety of comedy from around the world including Toronto, Vancouver, New York, London UK, Mexico City in English, ASL, and Spanish. Captions will also be available for all sketches through each showcase.

Top: Mayumi Yoshida in “I Don’t Want Him Either”, Sam Roulston in “Cringe”, and Fatuma Adar. Bottom: Emily Richardson, Whyte Wyne and Young Riesling, and Dalmar Abuzeid in “The Beacons of Gondor”.

💙 YOUR 2022 LINE-UP

10-Piece Nuggets, Accountable Comedy (New York), Alia DeSantis, Ally Medeiros, Alma Amorim (Milton), Anders Yates, Anesti Danelis, Avan Neo (Ottawa), Bad Machine, Big Apartment (Vancouver), Bleak, Boy Girl Party, Brainwrap Comedy (London, UK), Canadian Satire, Carson & Taylor, Cheap Wine, Chelsea Larkin, CoFlemedy, The Comedy Club, Conrad Osei-Bonsu, Cookie Biscuits, The Sketchlings (Maryland), Darrin Schultz (Seattle), The Debutantes (Edmonton), Diana Aydin (New York), The Diddlin’ Bibbles, Donny Crosswell, Dublin Comedy TV (New York), Emily Richardson, Fatuma Adar, and Folk Lordz (Edmonton).

Whooooa

Gabriel Meacher & Alex Oliver, Good Daughter, Good Ideas, Grapefruit Bubbly (Wisconsin), Heather Hawthorn Doyle (New Westminster), Herbeaver, Hillary Yaas, The Institute Sketch Comedy (Massachusetts), Joel Edmiston and Ben Stager, Jon Blair, Jordan Moeller (Virginia), Joy Provision, Juan Jaramillo (Milton), Katrina Westin, Kirsten Rasmussen, Kyle Woolven (Belleville), Laura Lee, Lisa Cheong (New York), Looners Comedy (Indiana), Luba Magnus, Margarita Brighton (Halifax), Mike A Simms (New York), MK Morris, Model Majority (New York), Mom’s Girls (Newfoundland), NYTEShift (Philadelphia), Potato Potato, Public Works, Old School Sketch Show (New York), Re:Current Theatre (Vancouver), Roderick B Shephard (North Carolina), Ronald Dario (Vancouver), Sam Roulston (London, UK), and Scott Paterson.

And there’s more?! Whaaaa

Second City Chicago Youth Ensemble, Send Noods, Sensitive Athletes, Shannon DeVido (Philadelphia), Shannon Rayne (Vancouver), Short Attention Spa (Picton), Sidetrack Bandits (Manitoba), Skinny Kookoo (Manitoba), The S&M Experience, Smooth Comedy (Hamilton), Success 5000 (Edmonton), The Templeton Philharmonic, Tom Hearn, Tommy Marshall, Toronto Sketch Comedy, Triple Yeah Productions (Massachusetts), Uber & Klonk, Vermin Melville, Vincent Price Check, Whyte Wyne and Young Riesling, The Walking Sketch (Mexico), Wishful Genies, Young Douglas (New York), and Your Friends Comedy (California).

Can’t make it to the live showcase premiere with your favourite sketch comedian? No worries, TOsketchfest22 – Screen Time Edition now includes on-demand viewing! Plus, the 2022 Festival does not have any geo-restrictions, so you can watch from anywhere March 23-27, 2022!

Screen Time PASS

Posted on: February 25th, 2022 by TOsketchfest Staff

TOsketchfest22 – Screen Time Edition returns March 23-27, 2022.

We don’t know about you, but WE’RE ready for some VHS (Very Hot Sketches) and some Learning & Fun!

This is THE pass that gets you ALL of TOsketchfest22 – Screen Time Edition. That’s 10 shows jam-packed with curated digital shorts, TikToks, character performances, musical comedy, and long form gems – all from the funniest comedy talent across the globe. You get all the appointment-viewing, livestream Debut Screenings, PLUS access on-demand ’til March 31st. AND IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH… exclusive access to seeeecret passholder perks (stay tuned)!

Here are just a few things that YOU’LL get for $80:

A complaint from Mrs. Claus
A little blue present ;)
A therapy session at your local Ikea
A lesson with Tony from Tony’s Driving School

All of this delicious fun – OR – maybe not-quite a tank of gas?

Click the blue button below to go get your Screen Time PASS today!

Save the Date – Screen Time Returns

Posted on: February 14th, 2022 by TOsketchfest Staff

From the small screen to the silver screen, comedy has kept us laughing through these trying times. That’s why we are so proud to present another digital showcase of the best in sketch comedy with TOsketchfest22 – Screen Time Edition, running online March 23-27, 2022.

TOsketchfest22 – Screen Time Edition will include all of the trusted sketch comedy goodness you expect from us each year. You’ll see a wide variety of sketch comedy from around the world in curated showcases with live online events and on-demand offerings. We’ll also bring you a robust series of workshops, networking events and panel discussions in the Learning & Fun Professional Development program.

Stay tuned for programming announcements coming at you soon. We look forward to seeing you at TOsketchfest22 – Screen Time Edition, running online March 23-27, 2022.

Kick-start the Comedy Comeback

Posted on: November 29th, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back, and we hope you will consider supporting TOsketchfest to help Kick-start the Comedy Comeback.

It has been a difficult two years for comedians. And throughout, TOsketchfest has been an important ally for Canadian comedians: a patron to support new comedic voices; a champion to showcase and celebrate this work; an onramp to careers in comedy and entertainment; a place to make connections; and an opportunity to earn income by making us laugh.

As we look ahead to a return to stages and theatres in March, TOsketchfest continues to need your help.

Our goal is to raise $30,000 by March of 2020 to achieve the following outcomes:

Double Festival artist payments – help us pay out $30,000 in guaranteed artist payments at TOsketchfest22 (more than double payouts from 2021). With limited capacity at shows, we can only do this through your donations.
Make investments in Accessibility features – invest $7,000 in adopting and expanding services like Captioning, ASL and Described Video to make Canadian live comedy more accessible to Deaf and disabled communities.
Focus on health & safety – contribute to offsetting $5,000 in incremental costs associated with the live production in the time of COVID.
Skill-up in the digital space – create more opportunities for comedians by investing $15,000 to develop skills needed to create quality broadcast and streaming productions – both in our staff and the comedy community

Help us continue to be the ally comedians need. Help Kick-start the Comedy Comeback!

This Giving Tuesday, make a gift to TOsketchfest, Canada’s comedy incubator.

Ask Us Anything Info Session

Posted on: November 17th, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

We are so excited to be in the planning phase for the 17th Annual Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival! We’ll be back March 9-20, 2022 with LIVE, in person performances plus the return of TOsketchfest – Screen Time Edition featuring livestream and on-demand digital work.

On Tuesday, November 23 at 6pmET we invite you to an Ask Us Anything info session about the 2022 Festival plans and how to submit your work using FilmFreeway.

This FREE online drop-in session is your chance to ask TOsketchfest producers all of your questions about how to submit to the festival, what to include in your submission, and what we have planned for March 2022.

We look forward to seeing you on November 23 at 6pmET to answer any questions and to help you get your festival submission in flawlessly!

How To Use FilmFreeway

Posted on: November 16th, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

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TOSketchFest22 will return March 2022 with LIVE, in person performances plus the return of TOsketchfest – Screen Time Edition featuring livestream and on-demand digital work. This year, TOsketchfest is accepting submissions for both live and digital work using FilmFreeway.com.

FilmFreeway is an online platform for filmmakers to submit their films to hundreds of festivals around the world. It is a free and simple way for you to submit your work, and a useful platform for festival juries and programmers to consider hundreds of submissions.

We have created a step-by-step How To Use FilmFreeway Guide to help you get your TOsketchfest submission in flawlessly by the December 1, 2021 deadline.

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Submit to TOSketchFest:

Submissions must be completed by Wednesday, December 1, 2021.

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SUBMISSIONS FOR TOSKETCHFEST22 – NOW OPEN!

Posted on: October 1st, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff No Comments

We can hardly believe it, but it is TOSketchFest submission time again! We invite you to be part of an incredible comedy community that has been gathering every March in Toronto for 17 years! TOSketchFest22 plans to return in March 2022 with LIVE, in person performances IN ADDITION to an online presentation of livestream and on-demand digital work. All submissions this year will be processed through FilmFreeway.

TOsketchfest22 will feature a varied programme of short-form live and online comedy events including: in-person performances from Toronto stages; a curated series of comedy short presentations; and live-streamed performances from visiting stages around the world.

If entry fees are a barrier for you to submit to the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, please reach out to damien@torontosketchfest.com and we’ll be happy to support you.

WHAT CAN I SUBMIT?

You can submit:

Live: Your sketch troupe or solo sketch act for live festival performance
AND/OR
Online: Digital comedy shorts for online presentation

Live Category (Canada Only)

We are on the lookout for the best, live scripted comedy in Canada. Emerging and established sketch comedy ensembles (no stand-up sets or improv scenes/formats, please) from Canada are invited to submit for the chance to perform live sets (20 – 75 minutes in length) as part of TOsketchfest22, with live performances also streamed online.

Due to the precariousness of COVID-19 travel restrictions, TOSketchFest can only accept live submissions from Canadian sketch performers for the 2022 Festival.

Online Category (Worldwide)

We are on the lookout for new digital sketch comedy shorts for curated online programmes. We are looking for a wide variety of comedy shorts, musical comedy videos, animated shorts, web series spotlights – as long as the content was created after January 1, 2021.

We are happy to accept digital submissions from anywhere in the world!

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

TOsketchfest will return 100% of ticket sales/streaming revenue to the content creators by way of a shared revenue pool. This applies to all pieces that are submitted and selected for screening during the Digital Festival. TOsketchfest21 – Screen Time Edition in March of 2021 generated $15,000 in payments to content creators.

PLUS – TOsketchfest offers creators access to a free/low-cost professional development/learning series, including hands-on workshops, panels and networking events with in-person and online options for comedy enthusiasts.

Submit to TOSketchFest:

Submissions must be completed by Wednesday, December 1, 2021.

Connect with other comedy creators and showcase your work to TOsketchfest’s audience of comedy lovers from across North America. Do you have a show that’s outside the box? Not sure if your work is a good fit? Reach out to us to discuss before completing your application with any questions or ideas. Email us at info@torontosketchfest.com.

THE SKETCH COMEDY PROJECT FUND – 2021 RECIPIENTS

Posted on: October 1st, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival is proud to announce the 2021 recipients of The Sketch Comedy Project Fund. This year four projects were awarded funding, each representing an important “next step” in the careers of their participants. The Sketch Comedy Project Fund is made possible through the generous support of The Pat and Tony Adams Freedom Fund for the Arts.

2021 SCPF RECIPIENT PROJECTS:

A black graphic with white bubble letters and rainbow accents that read “Life Mosh!”

Life Mosh by High Heel Bikini

Life Mosh is a sketch web series about Amaan Abdul, an eighteen-year-old kid living with his single mother in Scarborough. In Urdu, the name Amaan means peace and the name Abdul means servant, so in essence this show is about a peaceful “servant” (of the $14.50 an hour variety) trying to figure out why he should keep on keeping on.

“Life Mosh is a comedy about the experience of being up in the air with nowhere to land in the rapidly changing Toronto and Canada. It is a refrain met with a pat on the back and maybe if you are lucky the offer of a joint. You have to pay your rent and phone bill on the same day and you have a date this week? LIFE MOSH!”

“French Anglais: Escape Deux Sudbury” graphic with a colourful map of the Great Lakes region of Ontario.

French Anglais: Escape Deux Sudbury

French Anglais: Escape Deux Sudbury is an ambitious quasi-sequel to the popular short film from last year, French Anglais: Birthday. In French Anglais: Escape Deux Sudbury two rag-tag teams on separate sides of the French-Canadian revolution race to Sudbury to steal a secret, magical helmet that harnesses the power of knowing every language in the world. Filled with car chases, bar fights, exploding head practical effects and talking raccoons, the film is as much a parody of the action genre, as it is a straight action film.

“God is real and he told us to make a sequel to our short film, French Anglais (2020). French Anglais: Escape Deux Sudbury is an action-comedy-thriller short film from Joel Edmiston, Conrad Osei, Ben Stager & Sam Burns.”

A dark blue, circular stylized logo with “Cookie Biscuits” in a hot pink font.

Manor House by Cookie Biscuits

Cookie Biscuits is in development for an exciting new digital series: Manor House. A spoof on reality television, the show begins with a group of ten strangers moving into the same house to compete in challenges, vote each other out, and eventually face off for the show’s grand prize. Each character is based in a certain reality-show archetype, which allows for countless opportunities to flip those types on their heads.

“We are flabberghasted and delighted to have been chosen for the Sketch Comedy Project Fund! We’re working on our biggest project yet, and this funding will be a huge help in making it a reality. We’ve been having a great time writing silly jokes in our meetings and can’t wait to share them with the world. (We’re quite excited to waste your money on fake moustaches and cold pizza. JK. Kinda.)”

A close up photo of Tom Hearn, wearing white framed glasses and a blue patterned shirt.

Tommi Lupone’s 11 O’Clock Numbers! by Tom Hearn

Tommi Lupone’s 11 O’clock Numbers! is a musical theatre comedy album / retrospective. Tommi Lupone is a Broadway legend much like his namesake Patti (no relation). After a career spanning 50 years, Tommi is dimming the lights and retiring, but before he does he is delivering one last night of SHOW STOPPING NUMBERS from his biggest roles… in “REAL” Broadway shows. Each song is weaved together with tales of Tommi’s experiences on the Great White Way.

“Tommi Lupone 11 O’Clock numbers is the next chapter for me as a performer. It’s part musical cabaret, part sketch comedy, all broadway REALNESS. I’m working to create original 11 O’clock numbers with THE Avery Jean Brennan and I’ll be writing the book based on my experiences as a musical performer. From backstage hookups, broken bones, being cast in the chorus to OVER THE TOP stage managers… TOMMI LUPONE is coming for you!”

2022 Sketch Comedy Project Fund

The 2022 Sketch Comedy Project Fund opens once again in Spring 2022. If you’ve got an ensemble-based comedy project that represents the next step in your collective careers, consider making an application!

Program criteria, objectives and outline can be found here.

Workshop: Amazon Music Podcasts for Comedy in Canada

Posted on: September 27th, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

We are excited to begin the Fall/Winter series of the Learning & Fun Professional Development program on Thursday, October 7 at 2pmET with the Amazon Music Podcasts for Comedy in Canada workshop.

Join Lindsay Michael, Podcast Manager, Canada as she outlines Amazon Music Podcasts, and how comedic podcasters can engage with Amazon Music Podcasts to find their audiences. Hosted by Ben Sosa Wright, attendees will learn how to use Amazon Music Podcasts as an integral tool in your podcast release strategy with practical tips and best practices to grow your podcast in an effective way.

This workshop will be hosted on Zoom, with captions.
Program Length: Approximately 75 minutes including Q&A.

Tickets:

Tickets are $15 (plus fees), and can be purchased using the purple button below.

TOsketchfest aims to keep our Professional Development Program inclusive. As such, a limited number of scholarships are available. If cost is a barrier to participation in the workshop, please contact damien@torontosketchfest.com.

About Lindsay Michael:

Lindsay is the Podcast Manager for Canada at Amazon Music and has worked in audio for nearly 20 years. Previously, she was the creator and host co-host of CBC Radio’s Podcast Playlist and the creator of the CBC summer series Subcultures. She has worked on shows like q, The Sunday Edition, Canada Reads and Outfront and has interviewed people like Grimes, LeVar Burton and Rev. Jesse Jackson. Lindsay has been awarded two New York Festivals Medals and a national RTNDA award.

About Ben Sosa Wright:

Ben Sosa Wright is a pretty and nice comedian who has been featured on CBC Comedy, JFL42, Limestone Comedy Festival, Reader’s Digest, and Xtra. With Aba Amuquandoh, he hosts the Nostalgique podcast, a weekly kiki of pop music nostalgia that has been featured in The Toronto Star, and Vulture magazine.

Must-See Sketch Comedy: July 2021

Posted on: July 30th, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

Enjoy some sketchy summer vibes with our list of Must-See sketches from July 2021. These gleeful comedy videos include some remarkable animation, a refreshing nod to SNL’s Delicious Dish, and a treat for in-theatre movie going fans!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for monthly curated lists of the latest sketch comedy videos from across North America!

Movie Theatre Pre-Show by Ronald Dario

Ronald Dario depicts the nightmare of being a Tanner Zipchen-like host of a movie theatre’s pre-show. Ronald Dario is a writer, actor, improviser and sketch comedian from Vancouver, BC. Ronald’s work has been performed and presented at Little Mountain Improv, Blind Tiger Comedy, CBC, JFL Northwest, Philly Sketchfest, Del Close Marathon, Rapid Fire Theatre’s Improvaganza, Bad Dog Theatre, TOSketchFest21 – Screen Time Edition, and more.

Truth or Dare by Drawn Up Comedy

In Truth or Dare, two best friends play a friendly game of truth or dare but then an unexpected dare sparks a real mystery! This sweet animated short was directed and animated by 2021 TOSketchFest Outstanding Comedy Short winner Luba Magnus, with voice work by Kirsten Rasmussen, Gavin Pounds, Aidan O’Loughlin, Alia Ceniza Rasul, and Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll.

Lost In The Woods by Folk Lordz

In a dire situation, Todd’s native knowledge is activated. Lost In The Woods is part of the Folk Lords season 2 digital series, which has been releasing new sketches twice a week since July 1. Co-created by Todd Houseman and Ben Gorodetsky, Folk Lordz reflects urban-Indigenous, immigrant, and activist perspectives through the lens of biting satire.

Public Meltdown by Marc & Austen

Check out this public freakout with these two Darrens! Marc & Austen notice all these Karen and Darren’s are always freaking out in public, and have created a reenactment based on a true story. Marc & Austen is an original comedy content channel from Toronto comedians Marc Anthony Sinagoga and Austen Alexander.

Hunt Cuntry Vineyards by Kids These Days

This new sketch written and directed by Maggie Maxwell explores one of the most pleasurable vineyards in the Finger Lakes. Kids These Days is a NYC sketch comedy group who produce a true variety sketch show including stage sketches, digital sketches, musical numbers, celebrity impressions, and more.

Watch all of these Must-See Sketches here:

Contest: For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close

Posted on: July 22nd, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

Director Heather Ross examines the life of comedy legend Del Close in the new documentary For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close. We are happy to offer Canadian comedy fans the chance to win virtual screening passes to this film, courtesy of Hot Docs and Vortex Media. Sign up for the TOSketchFest newsletter below for your chance to win one of four virtual screening passes.

THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Sign up for our newsletter for more contests in the future!

For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close Synopsis:

Comedy guru Del Close, mentor to everyone from Bill Murray to Tina Fey, sets out to write his autobiography for D.C. Comics. As he leads us through sewers, mental wards, and his peculiar talent for making everyone famous but himself, Close emerges as a personification of the creative impulse itself. He’s a muse with BO and dirty needles, offering transcendence despite (or because of) the trail of wreckage behind him. For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close streams via Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema beginning July 29.

Sketch Comedy at Toronto Fringe 2021

Posted on: July 21st, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

This year our pals at Toronto Fringe are presenting over 65 shows in four virtual series as part of the Digital Toronto Fringe Festival taking place July 21 – 31, 2021. Toronto Fringe always includes a massive comedy contingent, and the Digital Fringe is no different. Plus, you can watch from anywhere in the world! Here are the sketch comedy shows to check out this year, including TOSketchFest alum!

Chronicles of a Black Woman: A Sketch Show

Writer, creator, and actress Sandy Daley brings this ground-breaking one-woman show to the stage. Chronicles of a Black Woman: A Sketch Comedy follows the lives of 3 sistas in a modern day society, trying to make shit work. Strong comedic moments mixed with dramatic turns will have you dying with laughter, as you wipe away your tears. More info and show details here.

Cringe

CRINGE is a solo sketch comedy show inspired by the most cringeworthy moments that writer and performer, Sam Roulston, just can’t shake from his brain. Most medical professionals don’t recommend re-traumatizing yourself, but he wrote this show for YOU, for the art, but mostly for the attention. More info and show details here.

Good News Toronto

Good News Toronto is a satirical news comedy featuring a roast of Doug Ford, wild puppets, animated adventures, a look into the Fringe itself, and hopefully some jokes too. It’s late night comedy with dash of chaos. More info and show details here.

One Of The Good Ones

Yaw Attuah (pictured above) has been the model minority, but now it’s time for him to speak up about his stories of racial sensitivities in order for everyone to learn and be better. One of the Good Ones is a comedic storytelling show. It’s about Yaw’s experiences at work, in his career, in his youth, and how it fits into today’s conversation about race, diversity, and inclusion. More info and show details here.

Orange Chicken: A Sketch Show

Orange Chicken is a part-live action, part-animated sketch comedy show created by a pan-Asian collective of theatre and musical artists who don’t know how to not name a show after food. Songs! Jokes! Questionable late-night orders at Fran’s! More info and show details here.

Our Exes are Dead: Vol 1

Our Exes Are Dead is a short collection of sketches from your favourite comedy duo that you’ve also never heard of. Rachelle Mazzilli and Maggie Chafe present this filmed collection of their favourite sketches for the first time ever! More info and show details here.

You Can Do It, Put Your Mask Into It!

Part political satire, part sketch show, and generous doses of hand sanitizer and dread about our planet’s future, You Can Do It, Put Your MASK Into It is a tongue-in-cheek “cure-all” for your pandemic woes. Prepare for bad impressions of politicians, creative filming solutions, and a cheesy song or two. More info and show details here.

Find all of the Toronto Fringe schedule and ticket info you need at fringetoronto.com.

Must-See Sketch Comedy: June 2021

Posted on: June 29th, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

Summer is officially here, and with the rays of sun come lots of laughs! We have compiled a list of Must-See sketches featuring hilarious comedy videos including some music, a full length revue, and in-venue performances!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for monthly curated lists of the latest sketch comedy videos from across North America!

Exploiting Pride For Fun and/or Profit by Gerald Yeung

Gerald Yeung celebrates the wonderful diversity and empowerment of the LGBTQ+ community in his Irregular Wellness Update, as seen on Good News, Toronto. He skillfully explains how you can exploit Pride for profit in the ultimate act of human cynicism.

Tony’s Driving School by Boy Girl Party

At Tony’s Driving School, they don’t skip over any of the fun parts! Boy Girl Party is a sketch troupe created by Tamlynn Bryson, Melanie Dahling, Damien Doepping and Chili Davidson who presented their short Shower Caddy at TOSketchFest21 – Screen Time Edition.

A Newly Vaccinated Top Back On Grindr by Michael Hartney

This NSFW sketch, written and performed by Michael Hartney, was captured in front of a live audience in New York City on June 6 at The Squirrel, as part of Characters Welcome. Michael Hartney created the roles of Stanley and Mr. Williams in the original Broadway cast of School of Rock The Musical with TV credits including 30 Rock, The Politician, and The Break with Michelle Wolf.

There’s Just Something About That Tennessee Whiskey by Donny Crosswell

Toronto-based comedian Donny Crosswell originally released this catchy song back in May, but surprised fans with the Extended Pride Dance Mix this month. CountryQueer.com recently mused “I struggled to determine if he was a comedy act or a sex symbol but resolved that he’s both.” After watching both versions of the music video with Donny in action, be sure to add the song to your Spotify playlists!

Stay At Homo by Ajahnis Charley and Tom Hearn

Award-winning comedians Ajahnis Charley and Tom Hearn recently teamed up for Stay At Homo, a double-solo sketch comedy, backyard extravaganza as part of Pride In Place at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Lucky for us, we can relive the songs, original characters, and impressions again and again with the full revue online, including some music from Tricia Black.

Watch all of these Must-See Sketches here:

Workshop: Disability In Comedy

Posted on: June 29th, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

We are excited to continue the summer series of the Learning & Fun Professional Development program on Thursday, July 15 at 4:30pmET with the Disability In Comedy Workshop with Ophira Calof.

Join us for the Disability In Comedy Workshop where Disabled writer, performer, and producer Ophira Calof will guide attendees through common tropes and ableist language in comedic content. Ophira will introduce new perspectives and best practices for those who wish to make their comedy writing and performance more accessible. By examining different models of disability and accessibility, attendees will leave this workshop with a better understanding of existing tropes and how to identify them.

This workshop will be hosted on Zoom, with captions.
Program Length: Approximately 90 minutes including Q&A.

Tickets:

Tickets are $15 (plus fees), and can be purchases using the purple button below.

A close up black and white photo of Ophira, a white GNC person, wearing a neck brace and thick rimmed plastic glasses smiling slightly at the camera with short dark hair.

About Ophira Calof:

Ophira Calof (She/They) is a multi award winning Disabled writer, performer, and producer. Her work weaves together music, comedy, and storytelling, centring disability and chronic illness experience. They co-created the sketch comedy revue Generally Hospital (Canadian Comedy Award Nominee, Patron’s Pick, David Seguin Memorial Award), and her solo show, Literally Titanium, was developed through the Buddies in Bad Times Emerging Creator’s Unit before premiering at the 2020 Next Stage Theatre Festival. Ophira also works as a curator, workshop facilitator, consultant, and keynote speaker with projects including COVID-19 through a Disability Lens: Storytelling and Filmmaking Project, Myseum Toronto’s Making Space: Stories of Disabled Youth in the GTA, and Bad Dog Theatre’s 5th annual Our Cities On Our Stages Symposium. Ophira graduated from Second City’s Writing and Sketch Conservatory programs, was featured in the Second City 2018 Toronto Diversity Fellowship Showcase, and is the 2018 recipient of the Tim Sims Encouragement Award. Credits include: Tall Boyz (S1, S2), Slumber Party (Bad Dog Comedy TV) and #HospitalChic (ReelAbilities Film Festival of Toronto, TOSketchFest21).

Panel: Creating Viral Comedy Videos on Rizzle

Posted on: June 8th, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

We are excited to kick off the summer series of the Learning & Fun Professional Development program on Thursday, June 17 at 6pmET with the Creating Viral Comedy Videos on Rizzle panel.

Rizzle is a short series app where every creator hosts multiple channels. With 5 million global channels, it is the next evolution in short videos for the TikTok generation. Hosted by Shohana Sharmin, join Rizzle team members Thom Woodley, Head of Creative and Content Development, and Adam Gold, Talent & Development Manager, as they outline the app’s features, creator community, monetization opportunities, and everything else you need to know to start creating viral comedy videos on Rizzle! Thom and Adam will be joined by Rizzle comedy creators Kellie Williams, Mike Simms, and Steph Shober to discuss creating comedy gold within the 60-second vertical episode format.

This free panel will be hosted on Zoom, with captions. Sign up using the form below!

Program Length: Approximately 60 minutes with moderated Q&A.

Image Description: A photo grid with photos of the Rizzle panelists: Thom Woodley, Adam Gold, Kellie Williams, Mike Simms, Steph Shober, and the Rizzle logo.

Speakers:

Rizzle Staff

Thom Woodley is the Head of Creative and Content Development at Rizzle. He is a creative director and strategist, filmmaker, awarded advertiser, and web video mentor. He is known for creating the first independent scripted web series (The Burg, 2006), writing the Most Interesting Man in the World commercials for Dos Equis, initiating the Web Video program at the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, and serving as Executive Creative Director of CollegeHumor.

Adam Gold is the Talent & Development Manager at Rizzle. He is a Brooklyn-based comedy producer whose work has been featured in The Hollywood Reporter, VICE, and The New York Post. After working for the New York Comedy Festival, he landed at CollegeHumor as an executive assistant before climbing the ranks to production coordinator, booking talent, and producing CollegeHumor Live. For the last year, he has produced several Livestream comedy shows including “Who Wants $2.69 with Martin Urbano?” on Chris Gethard’s digital network, “Planet Scum.”

Rizzle Creators

Kellie Williams is a New York-based actor and recent graduate of Sarah Lawrence College. Her favorite credits include Zuzu in Dance Nation and Mary in Sweet Maladies. She has channeled her passion for performance into creating, writing, and acting in her two Rizzle series, Vampire Influencer and Your Fat Black Sidekick. You can find her on Twitter and Rizzle @Kellie_Wil!

Mike Simms is a New York-based comedian and actor. Mike mixes his love of classic screwball sitcoms and biting/witty comedians into his current surrealist projects and performances. Be it through the abstract comedy of his web series ‘Mike Is Doing Stuff’, the heart on his sleeve music of alter ego ‘Mic Versys’ or the everyday silliness of life aspect to his stand up, Mike tries to give people reasons to smile, feel, and hopefull be okay.

Steph Shober is an actor, comedian, and filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY by-way-of Lancaster,PA. On-screen and stage, she specializes as a character actor with a strong comedy background. Watch her latest performances plus voiceover work @StephShober on The Rizzle App. She has been featured in several branded content videos produced by Scary Mommy, and industrials for
companies such as Ernst & Young and iStar. She studied comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Training Center, where she was accepted into the advanced study improv program. She was also an actor on a BoogieManja Sketch Comedy Team.

Host

Shohana Sharmin is a Bangladeshi-Canadian emerging comedian, writer and theatre artist. Born and raised in Bangladesh, Shohana is a proud Muslim queer woman of colour. She is a recipient of the 2020 Queer Emerging Artist Award at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Shohana is the creator and a cast member of the critically acclaimed award-winning dark sketch comedy revue “Dead Parents Society.” She is an alumna of Buddies in Bad Times theatre’s 2019 Emerging Creators Unit, Nightwood Theatre’s 2019 Young Innovators program, and b current Theatre’s 2019 bcHub Emerging Artists cohort. Shohana presented her first solo show “Come Here Often?” as part of 2019 Queer Pride at Buddies in Bad Times theatre. Her written works have been published in several publications. She is a former Featured Player at the Bad Dog Comedy Theatre, and an alumna of the Second City’s Improv and Longform Conservatories. She has performed in comedy and theatre festivals across North America. In non-pandemic times, she can regularly be seen performing across Toronto with her award-winning troupe Not Oasis (2017 The Toronto Fringe Patrons Pick, NOW Critic’s Pick).

Must-See Sketch Comedy: May 2021

Posted on: May 27th, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

Now that the 2021 Best of the Fest Award winners have been crowned, it is time to dive into brand new sketch comedy videos! We have compiled a list of Must-See sketches that were released in May, featuring a variety of styles including animation and commercial parody.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for monthly curated lists of the latest sketch comedy videos from across North America!

Concrete Beams by Griffin Toplitsky

In the animated short Concrete Beams, a crane operator has a big day. Griffin Toplitsky currently produces and hosts improvised true crime podcast Killed to Death. During normal life, he is also an improv performer – as a Bad Dog Featured Players alum, as part of The Kids’ Table, as part of The Assembly on house team Jibber Jabbar, and various real life lying.

What The Pentagon Doesn’t Want You To Know About UFO Footage by Big Chick Energy

The Pentagon is investigating real UFO Footage leaked by military officials – but Emily Miling and her mom can’t help but chat about how the alien invasion is going to be “SOOOOOO CUTE”. Toronto’s Big Chick Energy Sketch is a quintet of quirky comedians who host the weekly podcast The Hatch and release weekly video sketches.

Big Gene’s Green Screen by Young Douglas

Can’t travel like ya use’ tah? Then c’mon down to Big Gene’s Green Screen and he’ll make you the talk of the town. THEY AIN’T LYIN’…or your money back. This commercial parody is by TOSketchFest21 alum Young Douglas, a sketch team that formed on Maude Night at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. Since March 2020 Young Douglas has been producing full-length virtual sketch comedy shows in addition to hilarious comedy shorts.

Vicki Draves’ A Diver’s Guide to Poolside Safety by Model Majority

This sketch, written by and starring Monica Villa, is about about Vicki Draves, the first American woman to win two gold medals in diving, and first Asian American to win Olympic gold medals. Monica is a member of Model Majority, New York’s premier all Asian American sketch comedy team. Vicki Draves’ A Diver’s Guide To Poolside Safety was part of Model Majority’s AAPI History 201 comedy show which first screened on May 1, 2021.

Volkswagen Commercial – The Puncheoning

This ad was not made by Volkswagen! The Puncheoning is a spec commercial made by Aris Tyros and friends in the pursuit of future filmmaking work. This sketch commercial will bring back memories for anyone who has ever yelled “No punch backs!” on a road trip.

Watch all of these Must-See Sketches now on TOSketchFestTV!

The Best of the Fest Award Show 2021 – Winners

Posted on: May 18th, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

The 2021 Best of the Fest Award recipients are:

Outstanding Comedy Short, presented by CBC: Drawn Up Comedy by Luba Magnus
Audience Choice Awards, presented by THINGS:
Short Form Work – Burger by Kirsten Comerford
Featured Work – Lauren and Caitlin
Steam Whistle Producers’ Pick: Margarita Brighton
The Sketchiest Sketch Troupe: Anesti Danelis
Best of the Fest, presented by Church + State: Now More Than Ever: 2021 by Jon Blair

Did you miss the action? Watch the 2021 Best of the Fest Show here:

On May 26, The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival will broadcast the Best of the Fest Award Show – an online spectacle, celebrating the best of TOSketchFest21 – Screen Time Edition.

Hosted by 2020 Outstanding Comedy Short winner Darrell Faria, the Best of the Fest Award Show will feature award presentations, and appearances from Festival favourites. Join us May 26 at 7pmET on YouTube!

Throughout the show, we will announce the winners of the Festival’s five awards: The Outstanding Comedy Short Award presented by CBC, The Steam Whistle Producers’ Pick Award, The Audience Choice Awards presented by THINGS, The Sketchiest Sketch Troupe Award, and The Best of the Fest Award presented by Church + State.

Today we are proud to announce the nominees for the The Outstanding Comedy Short Award presented by CBC, and The Best of the Fest Award presented by Church + State.

2021 Nominees for OUTSTANDING COMEDY SHORT presented by CBC

The Outstanding Comedy Short Award traditionally honours one standout festival entry from the TOSketchFest Film Festival. The 2021 Award will honour the standout selected work from TOSketchFest21 – Screen Time Edition.

A photo grid featuring the six nominees for Outstanding Comedy Short. Top row: Folk Lordz, Drawn Up Comedy, and Connor Ferrara & Tim Blair. Bottom row: Dejen Tesfagiorgis, Fog and Lasers, and Wishful Genies.

Anti-Racism Healing Circle FAIL by Folk Lordz (Edmonton)
Directed by Mike Robertson
Written by Ben Gorodetsky & Todd Houseman

An incendiary look at the racism and exploitation at the heart of the Canadian arts sector. In this absurdist mockumentary, Canadian theatre legend Robert Lepage reveals his secret to new play development and his voracious appetite for retelling Indigenous stories in his signature (white) style.

I Gained Weight During COVID by Drawn Up Comedy
Animation/Music: Luba Magnus
Cast: Meg Mackay

For everyone who’s gained some weight during the pandemic, this song’s for you! Drawn Up is a cartoon variety show that is funny, quirky, surreal, and sure to delight! Created by comedian/animator Luba Magnus, and featuring some of Canada’s best comics as voices, there is a little something for everyone to enjoy.

Mr. Beautiful by Tim Blair and Connor Ferrara
Written By Connor Ferrara & Tim Blair

An unlikely candidate for a talent agency turns the tables (and even some other furniture) on his interviewer. Tim Blair co-created the multi-award winning sketch troupe TallBoyz II Men, who wrote and star in the sketch comedy series TallBoyz on CBC. Connor Ferrara has written for CBC Comedy and has performed at the Woodstock Laughs Comedy Festival, the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, and the Big City Improv Festival.

N’dly: Free Workplace Codeswitching app for Black Employees, Commercial 1 by Dejen Tesfagiorgis
Written by: Dejen Tesfagiorgis (New York)

“Niggardly” is the new and revolutionary software app that softens truthful Black language, and whitens it up for the workplace. Dejen Tesfagiorgis wrote this sketch after a decade of separating his emotions from various day jobs. Niggardly started out as a 5-person sketch, but after pitching it to several friends he had too many people that had something to add to the conversation. Tesfagiorgis mostly writes sketches about the Startup tech industry, Black music and drinking. He loves commercial parodies and uses sketch as an avenue to address new normals that are completely messed up.

Relatable Porn by Wishful Genies
Written by: Rob Michaels
Directed by: Rob Michaels and Kenzie Yango

Porn is just so unrealistic. But does making it too relatable defeat the purpose?
Wishful Genies is a sketch comedy channel created by Rob Michaels and Fady Ghali that has had its shorts screened at numerous festivals across North America and amassed millions of views online via features on platforms such as Funny Or Die and 9GAG.

So Wretch by Fog and Lasers
Directed by – Graham Beasley

The music video for “So Wretch” from the album Fog and Lasers 2, available now on Comedy Records. So Wretch features vocals and lyrics by Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, Chris Robinson, Dan Beirne, and Gwynne Phillips, with music by Chris Reineck, Anh Phung, Dave Dalrymple, and Morgan Waters.

2021 Nominees for BEST OF THE FEST AWARD presented by CHURCH + STATE

This juried award is the most prestigious accolade at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.

A photo grid featuring the nominees for Best of the Fest. Top row: Now More Than Ever, Tom Hearn, Night Snack. Bottom row: Skinny KooKoo, Untitled Black Sketch Project, and the Best of the Fest nominee laurels.

Now More Than Ever 2021 by Jon Blair
Written, filmed and performed by Jon Blair

Now More Than Ever is a solo sketch show I’ve been shooting in my apartment during the lockdown. In this episode, it gets harder to ignore the Archie problem, skeletal plans are once again mucked up, the forest teaches a harsh lesson, the apple business proves not to be very relaxing, and more!

To What End. by Tom Hearn
Written and performed by Tom Hearn

A comedy show during the PANDY?! To What End. Canadian Comedy Award Winner Tom Hearn had been locked at home for an entire year since his show at Toronto Sketchfest 2020 SHUT DOWN THE FESTIVAL. The days are running together and the lines of Sketch Comedy and Reality have blurred. Original Characters, Impression, Musical Comedy, ZERO COVID CONTENT AND ALL NEW… TO WHAT END.

Say Hi and Night Snack
by Martin Sofiedal (Norway)

Martin Sofiedal is an award winning filmmaker from Oslo, Norway. Say Hi screened during the Cinematic Shorts showcase at TOSketchFest21 – Screen Time Edition, and Night Snack screened during the Drawn Up Comedy showcase.

Say Hi: Norwegians take greeting very seriously. This is what happens when you don’t.
Night Snack: Maggie wakes up to some ominous sounds coming from the kitchen. Tensions rise as she gets ready to confront her burglar…The truth, however, is something else entirely.

The Skinny KooKoo Comedy Sketch Show
Written and Directed by: Joyce Delaronde (Winnipeg)

Indigenous Comedy Sketch Show at the helm of inexperienced filmmaker and self-proclaimed sensation: Skinny Kookoo. Skinny Kookoo’s cast and crew quickly realize that she doesn’t have a clue of how a film set works, let alone be in control of her very own television show. No matter how ridiculous it gets, there is a core of love and true concern in everything Skinny Kookoo does.

Untitled Black Sketch Project
Written and Performed by: Phatt Al, Aba Amuquandoh, Ajahnis Charley, Coko Galore, Brandon Hackett, Alan Shane Lewis, Brandon Ash Mohammed, and Nkasi Ogbonnah

Untitled Black Sketch Project, the premiere all-Black ensemble sketch troupe 400 years in the making, performed a live 60 minute table read as part of the Closing Night Gala.

Join us Wednesday, May 26 at 7pmET on YouTube. In addition to award presentations, viewers can enjoy the award winning comedy shorts, plus more surprise appearances.

Click the blue button below to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the Best of theFest show updates, and monthly curated lists of the latest sketch comedy videos from across North America.

Five Sketch Comedy Videos You Need To See

Posted on: April 21st, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

In March 2021, TOSketchFest – Screen Time Edition presented over 100 titles celebrating the raw creativity of sketch comedians in the COVID era with over 12 sketch comedy short showcases.

Comedians in Toronto and beyond have shown that their creativity cannot be contained. Here are five recently released sketch comedy shorts that you need to see!

Wheelchair Advertisement by Avan Neo

Avan is a disabled comedian, actor, and filmmaker who likes to ask questions about society with their comedy work. “I’ve used comedy to get though the hardest times in my life but I also feel it’s the best way to breach touchy subject matter. My work is very satirical in nature but good for the soul.”

The Aloe in the Shade by Kirsten Rasmussen

2018 TOSketchFest Audience Choice Award winner Kirsten Rasmussen has dropped a hilarious new sketch with the intriguing tagline “MY ALOE DOESN’T LIKE THE SUN! And it’s my fault!!!!”. Don’t miss Kirsten Rasmussen in Slo Pitch on OutTV, and Band Ladies on HighBall.TV.

A Robot That Can Feel Pain by Public Works

A new sketch from Public Works, animated by Drawn Up Comedy’s Luba Magnus, from their new sketch comedy album Condo Art. Public Works is a comedy and production collective from Toronto with Callum Wratten, Alex Kolanko and Connor Low.

Let him skate. by Fog and Lasers

A gnarly skateboarding video from Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, featuring Chris Robinson and Marc Hallworth. Check out the album Fog and Lasers 2, available now on Comedy Records.

My Vaccine Broke! by Christian & Nat

A new sketch from Natalie Metcalfe and Christian Smith about what happens if you’re not ready to get back to “normal” yet. These YouTubers hailing from Toronto, made the transition from stage to online during a global pandemic.

Closing Night Gala: Untitled Black Sketch Project

Posted on: March 27th, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

Untitled Black Sketch Project, the premiere all-Black ensemble sketch troupe, performs a 60 minute table read LIVE as part of our Closing Night Gala.

Untitled Black Sketch Project is an all-Black ensemble featuring: Phatt Al (Second City), Aba Amuquandoh (This Hour has 22 Minutes), Ajahnis Charley (Bad Dog Theatre), Coko Galore (Bad Dog Theatre), Brandon Hackett (Tallboyz), Alan Shane Lewis (The Great Canadian Baking Show), Brandon Ash Mohammed (Because News), and Nkasi Ogbonnah (Second City).
Produced by Ajahnis Charley & Coko Galore; and Directed by Brandon Hackett.

The UBSP was funded with the support of the Pat & Tony Adams Freedom Fund.

Untitled Black Sketch Project
Sunday, March 28, 2021
8pm ET

Classic Cast Reunion

Posted on: March 27th, 2021 by TOsketchfest Staff

Join the cast and creators of CBC’s cult hit as they reminisce and discuss the everlasting impact of Hatching, Matching and Dispatching. Hosted by Henry Sarwer-Foner, speakers will include Shaun Majumder, Sherry White, Mark McKinney, Susan Kent, Joel Thomas Hynes, Jonny Harris, Adriana Maggs, Rick Boland, Ed Macdonald (writer), Mary Sexton (producer), and Mary Walsh.

Hatching, Matching & Dispatching
Saturday, March 27, 2021
4:30pm ET

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