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5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in May 2025

Posted on: May 2nd, 2025 by Virginia Woodall

May has arrived, and the comedy cauldron is bubbling in Toronto. From fresh-faced weirdos debuting brand-new bits to seasoned acts serving up polished crowd-pleasers, this month’s lineup is full of surprises. We’ve picked 5 Toronto comedy shows to see in May 2025 that promise characters, chaos, and the kind of laughter that sticks with you. Whether you’re into offbeat oddballs or fast-paced sketch brilliance, there’s something magical waiting on stage. Call your funniest friend and grab a seat, the comedy is blooming.

TOM MORAN IS A BIG FILTHY DISGUSTING LIAR

FRIDAY MAY 2ND & SATURDAY MAY 3RD

Have you ever told a lie? How bad was it? And how far would you go to keep it a secret?
After wowing audiences at the Dublin Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe, and the Irish National Theatre, Tom Moran is bringing his critically acclaimed, award-winning solo show to Toronto. Brimming with humour and heart, Tom takes the stage to share a story, spill some secrets, and maybe—just maybe—set things right.

Theatre Passe Muraille, Tickets & Info

WTFESTIVAL’S SPRING THING

SATURDAY MAY 3RD

We’re big fans of chaos and WHAT THE FESTIVAL never disappoints. Their Spring Thing cabarets, THING ONE and THING TWO, are serving up an unpredictable mix of clown, puppetry, drag, and burlesque in two delightfully outrageous showcases. If you like your comedy with a side of “what did I just witness?”, this is your moment. #WTF

Sweet Action Theatre, Tickets & Info

NEW ARRIVALS: A DEPARTURE SOLO SKETCH SHOWCASE

THURSDAY MAY 8TH

We can’t wait for this one. New Arrivals is a showcase of solo sketch comedy from some of Toronto’s best and boldest. Co-produced by Departure and The Second City, it’s packed with names we love and hosted by the brilliant Tricia Black. These are the voices shaping the future of Canadian comedy, and you’ll want to say you saw them here first. Featuring performances by Gillian Bartolucci, Anders Yates, Paloma Nuñez, Gavin Pounds, Sam Hancock, Andy Assaf, Jon Blair & Chelsea Larkin.

The Second City’s Theatre ‘73, Tickets & Info

ANNA ROISMAN AND TOM HEARN PRESENT: FABULOUS SWEETIE

FRIDAY MAY 23RD

Viral comedians Tom Hearn and Anna Roisman have teamed up for a night of chaos with the Fabulous, Sweetie! This comedy extravaganza blends stand-up, musical performances, and unforgettable celebrity impressions of icons such as Ina Garten, Kris Jenner, James Corden, Countess Luann, Martha Stewart, Joan Rivers, Hillaria Baldwin, Kody Brown and many more. After touring the US including the New York Comedy Festival, this fabulous duo lands in Toronto for one night only. Don’t miss it, sweetie.

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets & Info

TROUPES: SKETCH SHOWCASE

FRIDAY MAY 30TH & SATURDAY MAY 31ST

We’re closing out the month with a laugh riot. TROUPES: Sketch Showcase is a hilarious sketch comedy trip straight to laugh town! With a cast ready to tackle life’s weirdest moments, this show is part sketch revue, part hug for your funny bone. This night of laughter, song, sketch and improv is a “mind hug,” not to be missed! Come for the chaos, stay for the catharsis.

CB Pro, Tickets & Info

Each of these 5 Toronto comedy shows brings a fresh dose of funny to the stage. Whether you’re into outrageous characters, sharp sketch, or unpredictable variety, there’s something this month that’ll leave you laughing. Let May be your comedy era.

Feeling like a road trip?

Say bonjour to Montreal Sketchfest May 1-10 or hop on a quick flight to St. John’s for NL Sketch Fest May 13-19!

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s 5 Comedy Shows to see in Toronto May 2025. Like our picks? Let us know!

Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com.

Laugh Loud, Live Forever: Tom Hearn’s GAY GARBAGE

Posted on: March 11th, 2025 by Virginia Woodall

Experience the Ultimate GAY GARBAGE at TOsketchfest’s 20th Anniversary!

For one night only, Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival is bringing you a must-see live event! The inimitable Tom Hearn is returning to the Comedy Bar Mainstage to record his debut sketch comedy album, GAY GARBAGE, with Howl and Roar. If you’ve ever seen Tom perform, you know you’re in for a treat – if you haven’t, this is your chance to witness his brilliance live AND have your laughter immortalized in his first-ever sketch comedy album!

Why You Can’t Miss This Show

Tom Hearn is a comedy powerhouse, known for his award-winning sketches, over-the-top characters, cheeky innuendos, and jaw-dropping musical numbers. He’s bringing his signature brand of hilarious absurdity to TOsketchfest’s 20th anniversary, and this performance will be extra special. Not only is it one of the last chances to see this show live, but your laughs will be captured for eternity in this milestone recording.

Adding to the excitement, musical genius Jordan Armstrong will be leading the charge with her unparalleled musical direction. And as if that weren’t enough, an extra special mystery guest from Canada’s Drag Race will be making a fabulous appearance!

Tom Hearn: Comedy’s Biggest Sensation

Tom has taken the comedy world by storm. With 575K+ followers on Instagram and TikTok and over 150 million views, he’s been recognized as one of “The Best TikTok Creators To Follow in 2023” by ET Canada. His razor-sharp impressions—of Ina Garten, Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray, James Corden, and more—have been featured on NBC’s Today Show, Delish, BBC, and beyond.

His live performances are legendary. Tom’s hit show ‘How Fabulous Is That?!’ has sold out shows across Toronto, Chicago, Portland, Seattle, and the legendary Joe’s Pub in NYC. He’s toured internationally, earning 5-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and picking up the JFL Award at Montreal Sketchfest. And let’s not forget—he recently opened for Matteo Lane’s SOLD-OUT Canadian tour!

You’ve also seen Tom lighting up your screens in hit TV shows like ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (FX), ‘Children Ruin Everything’ (CTV/The CW), ‘SkyMed’ (CBC/Paramount), ‘Roast Battles: Canada’ (JFL), and many more.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Be Part of Comedy History

This is not just a show—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime comedy event. Whether you’ve seen Tom before or are discovering his genius for the first time, this night will be one for the books. Be there to laugh, cheer, and make your mark on Tom’s historic album recording.

📅 Date: Thursday, March 13, 7:30pm & 9:30pm
📍 Location: Comedy Bar Bloor, Mainstage
🎟 Tickets: Click here

Seats are going fast—secure yours now and be part of TOsketchfest’s 20th-anniversary celebration in the most unforgettable way possible. Get your tickets today!

TSCF25 Insiders’ Guide – Part One

Posted on: February 25th, 2025 by Virginia Woodall

During the annual Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, you can fill your calendar with shows by top notch comedy talent from across North America. But don’t take our word for it. You need legit insider recommendations for your Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival experience, and we knew just who to ask. Some TOsketchfest favourites and die-hard fans share what they’re most excited about seeing at TOsketchfest25. Grab a pass. Book some tix. Have some laughs.

Srutika Sabu

Catch Srutika on March 5th & 12th at The Theatre Centre as Santosh Santosh her drag king clown show about a troubled tech bro, also fresh off Toronto Fringe and WTFestival.

At my first TOsketchfest in 2022, I witnessed a giant bat with tiny hands steal the show with nothing but eyebrow raises, dramatic wing flaps and meeps. It was so funny, I laughed all the way to Sweet Action theatre and joined a clown cult. Since then, watching clown at TOsketchfest (especially Sweet Action Sweeties!) has been a highlight. As a certified Emily Jeffers stan, I highly recommend Bitty-Bat! and her new character, the Mathemagician. Having seen her develop this scholar at Sweet Action, you are in for a treat. Fresh off their award-winning Toronto Fringe run, Shreya and Sachin of Two 2 Mango teach colonial history in Colonial Circus—with nothing but head nods, gibberish, and impeccable timing. If you too want to join a clown cult (but only for a few hours), check out the Brunch! A Clown Workshop by Ken Hall, Isaac Kessler, and Gordon Neill. These three directed most of the nonsense in our shows, so come bottle the nonsense from the source. Chase and Kenneth are sure to continue infusing cartoonish clown sensibilities to their sketch once again in West 2 West 3: Return of the 2.

For non-clown shows, I highly recommend Amanda Xeller and Comedy Dance Chicago. Amanda plays messy (literally and figuratively) characters, and I love it every time. I’ve seen her perform in three cities so I’ll be taking her character workshop. Comedy Dance Chicago blends comedy and dance into ridiculous but beautiful physical comedy using amazing choreography. Every sketch is pure joy.

Amanda Xeller

Catch NYC’s own Amanda Xeller on stage at Comedy Bar March 7th and 8th and in her workshop “Character Creation in Context” on March 9th.

Amanda Xeller here! I’m honored to be returning to The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival to perform and celebrate their 20th Anniversary! Congratulations on this incredible milestone! Here are a few of my not-to-miss-picks for the fest – Toronto Edition:
The Tita Collective – Beyond talented. Expertly curated. AND THEY CAN SING. If you’re looking for top tier ensemble work, see The Tita Collective. They blend unified performances with their individual talents making their shows consistently stand out. Also, fun fact, they are some of the most supportive and kind people there are.
The Templeton Philharmonic – I’ve had the privilege of watching Gwynne and Briana own the stage for over a decade. The Templeton Philharmonic blends history, performance art, and sharp wit to craft sketch comedy with a powerful feminist perspective. They’re brilliant.
Jon Blair – I’d be hellishly mistaken to not shout out my fellow and long-time solo sketch brother, Jon Blair. His accolades speak for themselves (Best of the Fest at numerous festivals). His work is consistently fresh, innovative, and he always, ALWAYS, commits. I’m stoked AF to see what he has in store this year.
Cam Wyllie – If there’s one person who lives and breathes sketch comedy, it’s Cam Wyllie. You can feel the love and dedication he pours into every performance. Every Cam Wyllie show is a proclamation of deep respect for sketch comedy.
Tallboyz: One City World Tour – Absolute Masters of The Craft. Smart, creative, & ridiculously funny. Skip the gym and get your ab workout in at a Tallboyz show. If you haven’t seen them you need to and if you’ve seen them I already know you have your tickets bought.
More recs:
My fellow New Yorkers: Ghost Girl (Magnet Theater represent!), Big Apartment, Jackie & Allison Into The Multiverse, & Woody Fu (yeah yeah he’s in LA now. We miss you Woody!)
And of course Joy Provision, Tony Ho, Carson & Taylor, Tom Hearn, Bad Medicine, and The Seth K Thomas Show. PS: Seth is an incredible person, incredible teacher, and has an incredible show. See his show and take his workshop!

Pat Gourdeau

Pat Gourdeau is an actor, writer and performer showcasing his solo show Gaylulu at Comedy Bar on March 6th.

Oooh, I love Sketchfest. It’s always a fun opportunity to see a ton of hilarious shows from dear friends and mortal enemies who are still very funny, even though they have wronged me. I wanted to include 20 shows, but I was told by a Sketchfest team member to limit my list to 5, which is rude. Sounds like I have another mortal enemy to add to my list…
1. Please name your baby Dave Barclay – Dave is the best! He is a master writer and his characters always kill. Bonus: he has not wronged me… yet.
2. Cheap Wine – Three big sweeties who always bring the laughs. Warning: I am biased, as troupe members Jess and Jack both go the same gym I do.
3. Carson and Taylor – These two weirdos do a mix of magic and comedy that somehow works amazingly well. Warning: Carson ALSO goes to my gym, so take my recommendation with a grain of protein powder.
4. Janelle McGuinness and Big Chick Energy – Janelle is a master TikToker who actually has a nice voice, and I’m not saying that in a ‘nice voice for someone who does comedy’ way. Bonus: She’s paired with Big Chick Energy, who are great as well. Warning: None of these women go to my gym, so proceed with caution.
5. Tallboyz – Hot take: award-winning and CBC-show-having sketch troupe Tallboyz is funny. I know, I’m really taking a risk with this one. But any Tallboyz show is a can’t-miss event, so… get thee to the venue they’re performing at. Stat.
Oh, and come see my show Gaylulu! March 6th! Comedy Bar! I’ll be the guy wearing wigs on stage. See you there!

Robert Knox

Rob is performing with The Understudies on March 5th and 9th at The Theatre Centre.

The Understudies are excited for our 8th time at TOsketchfest! Looking at the lineup, Sketchfest’s 20th year might be its best ever. Sketch took longer than stand-up or improv to fully recover post-pandemic, but it’s back big time. Tough to pick only 5 recos, but here goes…
1. Carson & Taylor. Straight up: their TOsketchfest show last year was the funniest sketch show I’ve seen in the past three years. If you can get a ticket, do it immediately, and then come back and read the rest of this article. Plus, they’re with Comedy Dance Chicago!
2. Vivek Srikanthan. His solo show in Fall 2024 was fresh and hilarious, occasionally veering into the territory of important. Vivek will cringe at that, but I’m not wrong. Biographically inspired yet universally relevant, his scenes float from sweet to raw to idiotic and always funny; Plus, they’re with Woody Foo!
3. Summer Dad. Every sketch troupe at some point comes up with a great idea for a sketch buuut it would require like 8-9 people on stage at once, so they have to nix it; Summer Dad gets to do it. So many members yet so tight and in sync. They put in a lot of reps at Fringe and are better than ever. Plus, I love The Mathemagician!
4. Legally Brown. I love a troupe that is clearly having a lot of fun together on stage. Their writing is smart, fresh and funny, and the performances are compelling. Plus, they’re with Amanda Xeller!
5. Sketch to the Death. Don’t be fooled by the vague and lame show description , this is gonna be a good one. We competed in Sketch to the Death (STTD) this year, and were blown away with how deep with talent in the Toronto scene is right now. This show features hot sets from other STTD competitors who are some of the best new acts in town. [Editor’s note: the Sketch to the Death show description will be updated any day now with more detail]

Honourable shout-outs to Colonial Circus by Two2Mango, BDB Comedy and We’re All In This Forever. And you can’t go wrong with TOsketchfest mainstays like Cam Wyllie, Dave Barclay, Cheap Wine, Vest of Friends, Jon Blair, Big Chick Energy, TallBoyz, and Tony Ho.

See you at TOsketchfest

Got all that?! That’s a full dancecard. And we can’t argue with these picks. Crazy thing is … here are some links to Insiders’ Guide Part One, Insiders’ Guide Part Two, Insiders’ Guide Part Three and Insiders’ Guide Part Four.

We hope you enjoyed the first installment of our TOsketchfest Insiders’ Guide. Stay tuned for Part Two, featuring tips from more TOsketchfest artists and insiders.

Now go get your TOsketchfest Festival Pass and get ready for 12 days of the best live comedy on earth!

Comedians’ recommendations may have been edited for length and clarity.

The 2025 Film Festival Round-Up

Posted on: February 20th, 2025 by Virginia Woodall

Announcing the lineup of the 2025 TOsketchfest Film Festival presented by New Metric Media.

The Toronto Sketch Comedy Film Festival Premiere Screening takes places live, in-person on Wednesday March 5th 2025 at The Theatre Centre @ 9:00PM EST. Walk the blue shag carpet and rub shoulders with the filmmakers at

The Lineup:

#GloryForGary by Five Minute Funeral

This documentary explores one man’s journey to honour the memory and legacy of their deceased father.

Five Minute Funeral is a new group comprised of Andrew, Ryan and Tyler, with all of them sharing duties writing, directing and acting in their sketch comedy shorts. The group draws influences from Canadian sketch shows like SCTV and Kids in the Hall as well as SNL and MadTV plus too many stand up comedians to mentions. This is their first time at any event and they all have diarrhea about it.

IG: @fiveminutefuneral
TT: @fiveminutefuneral
YT: @fiveminutefuneral

Breakups Are Always Hard by Jono Hunter, Amit Ohm, Nick Atef, Glenna Walters

A doctor goes through one of the toughest moments of his life: losing his beloved patient.

Jono Hunter is a director, and has an award winning web series called “Night Drives”. Nick Atef and Glenna Walters are actors who regularly perform comedy in Toronto. Amit Ohm is a huge fan of comedy and has been writing scripts for over ten years.

IG:
@jmbhunter
@amitohm
@nickatef
@glenna.walters

day in the life [chained to a pipe by a serial killer edition] by Brick Penguin

Just a sneak peek into the life of your favorite social media influencer <3 Come along and spend a productive day being kidnapped and tortured in a basement. (Don’t worry, it’s chill.)

Brick Penguin is the longest-running, highest-octane, hardest-hitting, most stupendous, most attractive, least litigious, funniest, best, most remarkable sketch group to ever come out of Washington, DC. Since 2010, Brick Penguin has been entertaining audiences in DC and has quickly become the longest-running, most attractive, et al., group ever in festivals across New York, Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Philadelphia, North Carolina, and Baltimore.

IG: @brickpenguin

Douche Canoe by Brother Mouth & Craig Melville

Brother Mouth presents ‘Douche Canoe’, a music video that satirizes the greedy, environmentally destructive elites who can’t tell their mouths from their derrières.

Artist: Brother Mouth
Creative Director: Dave Gibson
Director: Craig Melville
Executive Producer: Thomas Gibson
Producer: Larissa Anako

IG: @brothermouthofficial
TT: @brothermouth
X: @BrotherMouthOG
FB: @brothermouthofficial
YT: @brothermouth
W: https://bio.site/brothermouth

Death By Vitamin C Written by, Produced by and Starring Susan Serrao. Directed by Sandy Hoekstra. Featuring Victoria Souter, Jessica Garcie, Nancy Ngo and Laura Yenga

Have you ever been addicted to health foods, supplements, super foods or any other fad diet/lifestyle? Ever feel like it’s controlling your life? Like if you don’t follow it step by step it will be the end of everything in your life as you know it? That’s how Chantel feels about her new favourite drink/supplement, Vitamin C. How far will Chantel go before she fizzles out? Can her friends stop her before she goes too far? How far can you go with a supplement like Vitamin C before there’s no turning back? Find out in Death By Vitamin C!

Susan Serrao is a comedian, actor, writer and creator who produces her own work. She is also a single mom of 4 sons seeking the fame and fortune of the comedy lifestyle in the land of Calgary and beyond! Susan studied comedy at Upright Citizen’s Brigade (NYC and LA), Loose Moose Theatre (Calgary) and life (everywhere!). She finds humour in everyday occurrences and in the silly thoughts that interrupt her glamourously milfy lifestyle (think hockey arenas and grocery stores). Having performed internationally with people such as Jennifer Jason Leigh, Dave Foley, Kevin MacDonald, Lamorne Morris and Juno Temple, Susan’s presence, comedic timing and commitment to character draws the audience in and keeps them on the edge of their seats. She is known for fearlessly pushing the line while keeping the audience safe, engaged and laughing their god damn faces off. Most recently, Susan wrote, directed and starred in short film Love Stuck as part of the Igniter Challenge with the Canadian Film Festival and the Firecracker Department. She also has a feature film in development that she co-wrote called Back Road. Susan is a “YouTuber”, as her kids like to say, who has over 4.2M views and over 15K subscribers on her channel “Susan Serrao Sketch N Stuff” which includes her sketch series Sketchy Beavers (co-created with Jamie Matchullis), Sandy and Susan Do Stupid Shit (co-created with Sandy Hoekstra) and her most recent, series got milf?. You can also listen to Susan chat with Calgary-based female artists on her podcast; Completely Off Topic, With Susan Serrao which is available on Telus Optics, and her YouTube channel. Check her out! Death By Vitamin C Written, Produced and Cast by Susan Serrao Directed, Edited and Assoc. Prod. by Sandy Hoekstra DP and Colourist – Rachelle Hughes Cast Chantel – Susan Serrao Ruby – Nancy Ngo Sandra – Victoria Souter Meghan – Jessica Garcie Server – Laura Yenga Camera – Akim Vincent and Ryan Wishart Location Sound – Thomas Foote and Akim Vincent Special thanks to Colette Nwachi and BNA Brewing.

IG:
@iamsusanserrao
@sandy_hoekstra_
@victoriajsouter
@jessicagarcie
@__illuminancy__ @laurayenga
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@SusanSerraoSketchnStuff

Cuhz by These Triggas

Fam, you can’t just have an American cousin drop in like that!

These Triggas is Canada’s answer to In Living Color. Irreverent, daring, and hilarious. This show will utilize the power, the insecurities, and the injustice of being Black in Canada to generate hilarity. Comedy BY Black Canadians, ABOUT being Black in Canada, FOR everyone in Canada. Cuhz is written by the show’s creator Anthony Q. Farrell and directed by Cory Bowles. It features the performers Ajahnis Charley, Brandon Hackett, Dayton Sinkia, Hannan Younis, and Jonathan Langdon. The sketch was produced by Canfro Productions and LetterFIFTY Productions.

IG: aqfarrell
TT: @TheseTriggas
YT: @TheseTriggas

F.A.S.H. by Alex Vance

FASH is a harassment training video! about a new way for womxn to protect themselves.

Alex Vance is a female filmmaker based out of Vancouver, BC. She met actress/producer Alison Chang in the Vancouver sketch comedy group the “Smashed Potato Kids” or SPK and have collaborated on other sketches and musical numbers together. Alex met Christina Marie Adams while working for Vancouver’s renown 48 hour film festival: Run N Gun – and have collaborated on previous projects together. Fun Fact: FASH was first presented as a live sketch during SPK’s first live show!

IG: @a_hodgie

Maple, She Wrote by Yes, Let’s! Media

Seasoned detective Detective Michelle Agave is called to uncover the truth as a scandal unfolds amongst maple syrup giants. From ex-employees, to heirs of maple royalty; everyone wants a piece of the pancake. As interrogations ensue, more layers are peeled back as we see into the cutthroat world of the maple syrup industry.

Yes Let’s Media is a collective of female filmmakers, comprising of Krystle Meixner, Kayla Subica and MK Morris with Joanne Gnatek. With a focus on comedic storytelling, Maple, She Wrote was born out of the Fire Cracker Igniter series, an initiative to have more women and non-binary people step into the world of creating comedic short films! Maple, She Wrote was chosen to premiere at the 2024 Canadian Film Festival, a real accomplishment for the collective first short film! Top to bottom, our cast, our crew, and all the helping hands that shaped this short film are to thank for solving this mystery of a murder.

IG:
@yesletsmedia
@mk_morris
@joannegnatek
@kaylasubica
@frickstle

Night Drives: Goin’ Down by

Tired of terrestrial transportation, Alex and Jono somehow find themselves in command of a plane.

Night Drives is an award-winning animated sketch comedy series about the joy and futility of life. Shot in live action and rotoscoped after the fact.

IG:
@jmbhunter
@ilovenightdrives
TT: @ilovenightdrives
W:
Ilovenightdrives.com
Jmbhunter.com

Onlyfans by Tommy Marshall

Charlie and Bono find out that their friend Terry has an Onlyfans page and its really blowing up.

Onlyfans was written, directed and edited by Tommy Marshall. Tommy is a comedy first filmmaker who studied film at TMU as well as The Second City Film School in Chicago, IL. Tommy cherishes silliness above all else, if we can’t have a little laugh then we will never make it out of this whole weird thing alive. His short film Antarctica, the Last Frontier was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Short at last year’s edition of the TOSketchfest Film Festival. The film stars Myles and Lauren Andrews (both of whom also starred in Antaractica, the Last Frontier) as well as Tommy himself as the titular Onlyfans creator. The film was shot by Aaron Hanek (you guessed it he also shot Antarctica). The film was shot on an absurdly hot July weekend with no crew over the course of two long days. By all means we absolutely should have gone crazy and killed one another, but we’ve been doing this together in some variation for a while and thankfully we all love each other very much.

IG: @prestige.television
TT: @tommymarshall

Parking Lot For Virgins by Alex Kolanko

A commercial for the new parking lot for virgins

Alex Kolanko is a pervert with a camera

IG: @just_a_turd
TT: @just_a_turd
X: @alexkolanko

Real Actual Skaters by Sidetracked Show

Three Real Actual Skaters (who definitely aren’t posers) make their very own skate tape.

Sidetracked Show. Three friends, roommates, and collaborators since 2010. Creating absurd, cinematic sketches with a DIY spirit.

IG: @sidetrackedshow
TT: @sidetrackedshow
X: @sidetrackedshow
YT: https://youtube.com/@sidetrackedshow

Samaritan by Tony Ho

The existence of Good Samaritans implies the existence of just regular Samaritans.

Tony Ho took some time off from making movies so they could make some TV and also some babies and some cabinetry as well. Now? They’re back, this time with help from friends like Edward Pond, Chris Sandiford, Gwynne Phillips and Chris Sandiford.

IG: @TonyHoSucks

Slop King by Andy Assaf, Peter Schnobb

A documentary about one of the least known culinary geniuses.

WRITTEN BY AND STARRING Andy Assaf – Andy Assaf, originally from Montreal, is a Toronto based sketch and improv comedian and is a Second City Toronto Mainstage alum where he wrote and performed 3 Sketch Revues. You might know him from as the Cravensworth’s MONSTER on season 6 of What We Do In The Shadows on Fx, the Recruit on Netflix, or you might have seen him as that guy in the Domino’s commercial. He has toured to multiple sketch and improv festivals around Canada and the US.

DIRECTED BY PETER SCHNOBB – Peter Schnobb is an award-winning Cinematographer based out of Toronto, Canada. In 2019, Peter received a Juno Award certificate for Music Video of the Year for his work on “No Depression” by Bahamas, directed by Ali Eisner.

IG: @msweetandysour
TT: @sweetandysour
X: @sweetandysour
W: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnmUEu_1xDE

Something Bad That Happened in My Past by Mike Mildon and Clare Mcdonnell

As they embark on their most ambitious crime yet, a seasoned criminal must confront the shadows of his past.

Mike Mildon is an award winning filmmaker and comedian living in Toronto, Ontario. 2021 marked his TV debut with For Heaven’s Sake, a true crime comedy series produced by Muse Entertainment and Funny or Die. He executive produced, wrote, and exploited his entire family for the series, which aired on Paramount+ and CBC. The series was nominated for 3 Canadian Screen Awards (which included ‘Best Series – Factual’ and ‘Best Writing – Factual’). Before TV, his claim to fame was his comedy sketch troupe, Trophy Husbands, where he has written, directed, and released over 40 shorts onto the World Wide Web. His short films have attracted millions of views online and have been featured on some of the top websites including Amazon Prime, Funny or Die, and Huffington Post. He continues to implement his genre-bending style and sense of humour in the television and commercial spaces, having directed spots for some of the biggest brands in Canada (Tim Hortons, RBC, McDonalds, etc).

Clare McConnell an actor and comedian best known for portraying ‘Effie Newsome’ on the popular CBC series Murdoch Mysteries and Klingon Leader ‘Dennas’ on the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Discovery. Additional television credits include American Gods (Starz), Coroner(The CW), Killjoys (Syfy), Nurses (Global/NBC), Wynonna Earp (Syfy) and Hudson & Rex (Citytv). I’m also an alumna of the Second City Mainstage, and was nominated for “Breakout Artist” at the 2018 Canadian Comedy Awards.

IG: @mikemildon @itsclaremcconnell
W: mikemildon.com
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TrophyHusbands

The Drake Sisters by Wench World Productions Becky Swannick, Maddy Foley and Blair MacMillan

Two sisters struggle to make a commercial for their used car dealership, resulting in an existential crisis.

Director: Hailing from Birmingham, UK, Becky Swannick is an acclaimed Queer Filmmaker, Film Editor, Comedian and Multidisciplinary Artist currently residing in Toronto, Canada. After graduating from The Northern Film School, Leeds UK in 2014, Becky has spent 8 years in live comedy, particularly in writing and performance and has since merged her love of filmmaking with her love of Comedy!

Cast: Maddy Foley is a Toronto-based actor and writer with a passion for storytelling. After earning her BSc from the University of Toronto, Maddy followed her creative instincts, studying Screenwriting at UCLA and UCB, and completing the Second City Conservatory program in Toronto. As an actor, Maddy has appeared in Deaner ‘89, One More Time, The Boys, and What We Do in the Shadows. Blair MacMillan is a Toronto based Actor, Writer, Comedian and cohost of Girl Historians Podcast. She has appeared in Homeschooled, Murdoch Mysteries and Twin Lies and can be regularly seen performing comedy in and around Toronto.

IG: @beckyswannick.mov
W: beckyswannick.com

The Fart Genie by Murray Cummings

Just when you thought it was safe to fart! It’s the morning after a first date that’s gone REALLY well… The only problem is… she needs to fart… but that’s ok. It’s not like a thousand year old Genie is going to pop out of her butt and announce it to everybody!

Murray Cummings is a director, screenwriter and songwriter born in London. He is passionate about music and comedy and received a masters in screenwriting from Royal Holloway University.

Michael Diaz aka 36th degree is an animator from the UK. He is a passionate and professional designer with a strong eye for detail in Motion Graphics and Animation.

IG: @murraycummings
X: @murraycummings
YT: @murraycummings

What About Mexico? by Jack Creaghan, Brendan Kane, Blair MacMillan, Jesse McQueen

Brendan has started a new business and he’s excited to show his friends but Jack always they were going to do business together someday. Ouchie!

Jack Creaghan, Brendan Kane, Blair MacMillan and Jesse McQueen will be known collectively, from here on out, as DOUBLE BJ.

They’re starting a business together.

Visit byoboss.info to stay on top of this new and exciting opportunity.

IG: @jackey_cee

The Perfect Bite by Mike Mildon & Bryan Nothling

Two rival foodies crash the same party, fueled by whispers of an epic charcuterie board, turning their hunt for the perfect bite into a hilariously high-stakes battle of taste and ego.

Mike Mildon is an award-winning filmmaker and comedian living in Toronto, Ontario. His passion for film and comedy is the driving force behind each project he does. 2021 marked his TV debut with For Heaven’s Sake, a true-crime comedy series produced by Muse Entertainment and Funny or Die. He executive produced, wrote, and exploited his entire family for the series, which aired on Paramount+ and CBC. The series was nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Series – Factual and Best Writing – Factual.In addition to his work on For Heaven’s Sake, Mike directed Season 1 of Ghosting for CBC in 2024 Before TV, his claim to fame was his comedy sketch troupe, Trophy Husbands, where he wrote, directed, and released over 40 shorts onto the World Wide Web. His short films have attracted millions of views online and have been featured on top platforms, including Amazon Prime, Funny or Die, and Huffington Post. He continues to implement his genre-bending style and sense of humor in the television and commercial spaces, having directed spots for some of the biggest brands in Canada (Tim Hortons, RBC, McDonald’s, etc).

IG: @mikemildon
TT: @thebnoth
W: mikemildon.com
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TrophyHusbands

When the memes too long by Sidetracked Show

Luc shows Adam and Tim a meme that’s far too long

Sidetracked Show. Three friends, roommates, and collaborators since 2010. Creating absurd, cinematic sketches with a DIY spirit.

IG: @sidetrackedshow
TT: @sidetrackedshow
X: @sidetrackedshow
YT: https://youtube.com/@sidetrackedshow

Meet the 2025 Festival Programming Committee

Posted on: February 15th, 2025 by Virginia Woodall

TOsketchfest is thrilled to publicly acknowledge the contributions of our 2025 live festival Programming Committee. This dedicated group of comedy professionals—Tim Blair, Aurora Browne, Alia Rasul, Alessandra Vite, and Ken Hall—generously lent their time and expertise to help shape our milestone 20th anniversary lineup. Watching over 150 festival submissions, they provided thoughtful recommendations and engaged in lively discussions to curate a festival that truly showcases the best in sketch comedy. We’re so grateful for their contributions!

Alessandra Vite

Alessandra Vite is a comedic writer based in Toronto. She began her career improvising with The Second City and was a member of their National Touring Company. She went on to write for the popular CBC Radio show “Because News”, and wrote for the 27th season of “This Hour Has 22 Minutes”. Alessandra is a seasoned sketch writer and performer, being the head writer and performer of the Canadian Comedy Award-winning sketch troupe “The Sketchersons”. She has also performed at JFL42 with her award-winning sketch troupe “The Flirty Boys”. She was also featured in the Montreal Just For Laughs festival with her Sonar Network-produced podcast, “Shh… I’m Watching A Movie”. You can also catch her selling butt eggs to vampires on FX’s “What We Do In The Shadows”.

Ken Hall

‘Ken Hall is a Dora Mavor Moore Award nominee, Canadian Comedy Award winner (Best Breakout Artist) and multiple CCA award nominee, including, Comedic Artist of the Year.

Ken plays the lovable Herb and provides motion capture as the body of Pogo in Netflix’s THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY and has appeared in numerous film and television roles including two seasons as, Jeff The Grey, on TBS’s hit series PEOPLE OF EARTH and has appeared as a guest on CONAN.

Ken is also one-half of the critically acclaimed, comedic clownprov duo, 2-MAN NO-SHOW, with his comedic soulmate, Isaac Kessler, and has had the pleasure to work for CIRQUE DU SOLEIL.

Ken co-created & co-instructs a 6 week course on creative play, aptly named, Brunch!, at Sweet Action Theatre as well as, SpeakEasy, a course that combines public speaking and play theory. Ken also teaches Public Speaking at The Second City – a course he created and developed, as well as Clownprov at Bad Dog Theatre. In his spare time, he teaches Storytelling at CB PRO and improv at The Social Capital Theatre and with The Assembly. Ken was awarded the Frank McAnulty Award for Faculty Instructor of the Year 2019 at The Second City.’

Aurora Browne

Aurora Browne is an alumna of The Second City Toronto and best known to audiences as one quarter of Baroness Von Sketch Show.

Alia Rasul

Alia Rasul is a comedian based in Toronto. She is a member of the Tita Collective, an award winning group of Filipina theatre artists. Additionally, she has recently published her first collection of poetry Super Important Filipina Thoughts. She co-produced and wrote a short documentary 15 Ways My Dad Almost Died which is currently streaming on CBC Gem. She is currently the managing artistic director of Bad Dog Comedy Theatre.

Tim Blair

TIM BLAIR is a comedian and a founding member of the acclaimed comedy troupe, TallBoyz II Men. Together with Bruce McCulloch from Kids In The Hall, they created the multiple Canadian Screen Award-winning sketch show, TallBoyz. A seasoned live performer, Tim excels in stand-up, sketch, and improv. He’s an alumnus of Second City’s House Co. and has showcased his talent at festivals like Just for Laughs Toronto and the NBC Breakout Festival in Chicago.

Find the 2025 TOsketchfest Festival Lineup here!

Each year, TOsketchfest assembles a committee of industry professionals—often festival alumni or those with deep-rooted experience in the comedy community—to help shape our lineup. As the festival continues to grow, we remain committed to reviewing and evolving our programming principles to reflect the needs of our community. We actively seek to include diverse voices and perspectives to ensure a festival that is vibrant, inclusive, and representative of today’s comedy landscape.

To all past and present committee members: thank you for your time, insight, and dedication. Our festival wouldn’t be the same without you!

International Women’s Day at TOsketchfest25

Posted on: February 14th, 2025 by Virginia Woodall

International Women’s Day at TOsketchfest 2025 is something special.

On Saturday, March 8th, we’re pulling out all the stops to celebrate our 20th anniversary with a day packed full of hilarious and inspiring programming featuring incredible female and non-binary sketch comedians and industry experts from across North America. From Learning + Fun to the shows—even our stage management and production team—this day is powered by women and non-binary artists and arts workers.

We’re thrilled to partner with Firecracker Department, an international community of artistic women and non-binary folk empowering each other to take creative action through education, positive support by providing more platforms for our voices and stories.

Check out the incredible featured programming below—and don’t miss out on our festival series shows on March 8th, where every single troupe on stage is female or non-binary. It’s a moment. And it’s going to be unforgettable.

Pitch Panel – International Women’s Day
Saturday, March 8 at 12:00pm – Franco Boni Theatre, The Theatre Centre

Presented in partnership with Firecracker Department

Join hosts Naomi Snieckus and Rena Taylor for an inspiring Pitch Panel featuring industry experts Nelu Handa, Lauren MacKinlay, and Wendy Litner. This dynamic session kicks off with a panel discussion on storytelling, industry insights, and the art of pitching.

In the second half, audience members will have the opportunity to share a 30-45 second pitch about a project they’re working on and receive constructive feedback from our panel of industry professionals. Whether you’re developing a script, a show idea, or another creative concept, this is a unique chance to refine your pitch and gain valuable industry perspective.

A must-attend session for creators looking to sharpen their ideas and connect with industry leaders!

Firecracker Department Podcast: Live Recording
Saturday, March 8 at 4:00pm – Franco Boni Theatre, The Theatre Centre

Award-winning actor Naomi Snieckus (Second City, Mr.D, Big Stuff, Disney’s Zombies) gets real with fellow artists about their struggles, successes, and everything in between. Attend a live recording of an episode and listen as Naomi Snieckus and her guest, Julie Nolke, dive deep.

Julie Nolke is an award-winning Actor, Writer, Filmmaker and the creator of her self-titled comedy YouTube channel (~1 million subscribers). She’s been nominated for two Streamy Awards, won three Webby Awards, and in both 2019 and 2023 won Excellence in Writing at Toronto’s prestigious Buffer Festival. Julie is best known for her viral online series Explaining the Pandemic to my Past Self (~65 million views).

While writing, producing, editing and acting in content for the web, Julie also works in film and TV. Recent credits include: starring in The Wedding Rule (W Network), recurring in Run the ‘Burbs (CBC/Hulu), What We Do in the Shadows (FX), and the Emmy Award winning Workin’ Moms (CBC/Netflix). She is also fresh off the debut of her sold out one woman sketch show: Dying on the Outside.

Firecracker Department Comedy Café
Saturday, March 8 at 7:30pm – Franco Boni Theatre, The Theatre Centre

A monthly variety comedy show hosted by Naomi Snieckus and Stephanie McLarty. This Sketchfest special edition will feature a lineup of incredible comedy guest stars (stay tuned!). Firecracker Department Comedy Café is always packed with laughter and fresh perspectives from some of the best female and non-binary comedians in our community!

Learning + Fun Program 2025

Posted on: February 11th, 2025 by Virginia Woodall

It’s our 20th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than by getting smarter, funnier, and more connected? The Learning + Fun program is back, bringing comedians of all levels together for skill-building workshops, insightful panels, and some good old-fashioned fun!

From March 5-16, 2025, we’re rolling out a lineup of comedy tastemakers and industry pros to help you sharpen your craft, spark new ideas, and grow your comedy community. Expect thought-provoking discussions, hands-on workshops, exclusive parties, and plenty of chances to mingle with fellow funny folks.

Whether you’re a Festival performer, an emerging comedian, or just dipping your toes into the world of sketch comedy, there’s something here for you. Let’s learn, laugh, and celebrate 20 years of sketch magic together!

Pitch Panel – International Women’s Day
Saturday, March 8 at 12:00pm – Franco Boni Theatre, The Theatre Centre

Presented in partnership with

A must-attend session for creators looking to sharpen their ideas and connect with industry leaders!

BRUNCH! A Clown Workshop
Sunday, March 9 at 11:00am – Sweet Action Theatre

Instructors: Ken Hall, Issac Kessler, Gordon Neill

Brought to you by Sweet Action Theatre, Toronto’s Home for the Ridiculous and only clown dedicated theatre, BRUNCH! is a spiritually mathematical science based approach to creative play! It’s kinda like school, but just the recess part. We’re going to explore audience connection, group mind, devising, the neutral body, energy, musicality, rhythm and more – and all with creative play in mind (…and body). As you can see, we have lofty goals for this class. We may fail at reaching them all, but we’re going to have fun trying together.

They’ve sold out 11 straight sessions, so join us for this special preview class, and come get a nibble at what all the fun is about!

Character Creation in Context
Sunday, March 9 at 12:00pm – BMO Incubator, The Theatre Centre

Instructor: Amanda Xeller

In this 2 hour workshop, students will explore character creation through both physical and written exercises. Students will use physicality, sound, and contextual prompts to discover characters unique to them in real-time. In addition, students will be tasked with writing prompts to begin translating their ideas onto the page. The workshop will also provide an overview of terminology touchstones of sketch and character writing.

Producing Digital Sketches
Sunday, March 15 at 12:00pm – BMO Incubator, The Theatre Centre

Instructor: Miguel Rivas

Miguel tells you his best practices for producing and executing sketch in video form. Whether it’s an original script or a sketch you’ve perfected live and wanna shoot, learn how to organize and pull off your big short.

Creating Content with a Political Lean
Sunday, March 16 at 12:00pm – BMO Incubator, The Theatre Centre

Instructor: Seth K. Thomas

In this workshop creators will explore the various ways to weave political slants into content while maintaining the funny.

Seth K. Thomas is a sketch comedian, writer, and comedy consultant who has been sharing his comedy knowledge, experience, and understanding for over twenty years. Seth has taught comedy to people at The Second City, Chicago, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and countless festivals including Toronto Sketchfest.

Getting an Agent
Thursday, April 3 at 7:00pm – Zoom Livestream

Instructor: Izad Etemadi

Get An Agent! A crash course designed to demystify the process of securing representation. Led by actor/writer Izad Etemadi, this workshop breaks down the essentials—headshots, résumés, demo reels— and provides actionable strategies on how to research, pitch, and approach agents with confidence.

5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in February 2025

Posted on: February 5th, 2025 by Virginia Woodall

February is here – the month of cozy comforts, surprise snowstorms, and just enough daylight to remind us that spring will return… eventually. But why wait for warmer days when you can warm up with laughter right now? The top five comedy shows you should see in Toronto this February are ready to melt away the mid-winter blahs with punchlines sharper than an ice skate and belly laughs as satisfying as a box of post-Valentine’s chocolates. So, grab a hot drink (or a love-themed cocktail, no judgment) and dive into this list of shows guaranteed to keep your spirits high all month long!

HOOKUP

FEBRUARY 6th – 15th

A Bad Dog Theatre production in association with Factory Theatre
Want to know what it would be like to date that charming stranger sitting next to you? Hookup takes the lives, likes and dislikes, turn-ons and turn-offs of two random audience members and turns them into a fully unscripted romantic comedy. You’ll hook up, break up, live the single life, and fall in love all over again without ever leaving your seat. Hookup features an all-star cast of some of the city’s hottest (dreamiest!) comedians. If you’re looking for love, laughter, or just weekend plans – Hookup’s got you covered!

Factory Theatre, Tickets and Info

IT’S NOT YOU, IT’S US!

FEBRUARY 14th & 15th

“It’s Not You, It’s US” is a hilarious sketch comedy show that dives into the steamy and silly of Valentine’s Day, love, dating, and everything in between! From awkward first dates to over-the-top romantic gestures gone wrong, and the highs and lows of modern, dating-app infused love, this show proves that when it comes to love, all you need is laughs! Whether you’re single, coupled up, or somewhere in between, “It’s Not You, It’s US” reminds us that love is messy, funny, and oh-so-relatable.

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

SIT DOWN COMEDY

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Get ready for a night of crack-ups and community at the second Sit Down Comedy Show, presented by The Disability Collective in partnership with The Theatre Centre! Hosted by the brilliant and award-winning comedian Courtney Gilmour, this event promises to be a night of non-stop laughter, celebrating the comedic talents and unique perspectives of the disability community. Four disabled comedians – Rosani Christy, Ken Hall, Robert Haughton, and Michael McCreary – will take the stage to deliver a night you won’t forget.

The Theatre Centre, Tickets and Info

FIRECRACKER DEPARTMENT COMEDY CAFE

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Get ready to ignite your funny bone at the Firecracker Department Comedy Café! Hosted by the dynamic duo Naomi Snieckus and Stephanie McLarty, this midday comedy break is bursting with laughter, wit, and comedic brilliance! Featuring an all-star lineup—Christel Bartelse, Winny Clarke, Sarah Hillier, Shreya Parashar, Hannah Spear, and Kate Davis—this show promises fresh perspectives, big laughs, and the perfect excuse to sip coffee while giggling uncontrollably. Whether you’re a longtime Firecracker or a first-time guest, this relaunch event is your chance to celebrate creativity, connection, and comedy in a warm, welcoming space. Grab a sweet snack, settle in, and prepare for an afternoon of pure joy—Pay What You Can and laugh all you want!

The Assembly Theatre, Tickets and Info

SKETCH TO THE DEATH

WEDNESDAYS FEBRUARY 5, 12, 19, 26

The fiercest, funniest, and most cutthroat sketch comedy tournament in Toronto is BACK! 💀🎭 January saw over 50 brave troupes enter the arena, battling for laughs and survival. Now, the competition heats up as Round 2 unfolds on February 5th and 12th. The semi-finals? February 19th. And on February 26th, the last sketch warriors standing will clash in a final, no-holds-barred comedy showdown!

Toronto’s best and boldest sketch comedians will duke it out, armed only with punchlines and perfectly timed pratfalls, fighting for the love of the audience, the favour of the judges. The battle rages every Wednesday in February at Comedy Bar Danforth. Who will triumph? Who will fall? Who will cry into their prop wigs? Find out at Sketch to the Death!

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s 5 Comedy Shows to see in Toronto February 2025. Like our picks? Let us know! Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com. TOsketchfest is just around the corner – get your 2025 Festival Pass today.

Learning + Fun: Marketing & Social Media 101

Posted on: January 28th, 2025 by Virginia Woodall

Marketing & Social Media 101 – Getting bums in seats!

Victoria Laberge, Digital Community Manager for the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, offers up some tips and tricks for marketing your comedy show. Social media is a garbage fire – how can we best use it to our advantage to share our art and bring much-needed laughter to more patrons? In addition to Instagram and Facebook, we’ll discuss using other digital tools like newsletters, online listings and PR to help get the word out about your event. While this session is designed with TOsketchfest artists in mind, it will offer general marketing tips that apply to all artists and arts administrators seeking to grow their audience base.

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA 101 – GETTING BUMS IN SEATS!
Date: Available On Demand (Original Livestream: Monday, February 10, 6:00-7:00pm Eastern Time)
Location: Virtual Session – Zoom
Program Length is approximately 1 hour
Cost: FREE

Victoria Laberge (she/her) is a Toronto-based arts administrator who works with a plethora of extremely cool artists and arts organizations. In addition to managing TOsketchfest’s social media, she is also a Tour Coordinator for comedy duo James & Jamesy; Publicist for B-Rebel PR, Sex T-Rex Comedy and Nightwood Theatre; and Marketing and Communications Manager for the Montreal Clown Festival.

TOsketchfest Recommeded Projects

Posted on: January 13th, 2025 by Virginia Woodall

We are excited that TOsketchfest was selected as a recommender organization for the Ontario Arts Council’s Grants for Theatre Creators. This is a significant honour and a testament to the ongoing advocacy TOsketchfest has dedicated to elevating live comedy within Canada’s arts funding landscape. This grant program offers an important new avenue for comedy artists to access funding for the creation phase of innovative, new comedy projects that we’ll soon be seeing on stages across Ontario.

After reviewing an incredible number of high-quality applications, we are proud to share the sketch comedy projects recommended by The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. This program is designed to support theatre creators in developing new work, and we are thrilled to recommend a diverse range of projects from talented creators across Toronto and Eastern Ontario. Read on to learn more about these exciting projects!

Big Chick Energy Presents: Big Chick Lethargy?!

The Chicks are back and developing their latest revue, “Big Chick Energy Presents: Big Chick Lethargy?!” In this show we’ll explore feelings of frustration, isolation and ennui caused by everyday and systemic issues of the modern world and how self-empowerment, friendship and community can help keep hope alive. After our successful festival run in 2024, we’re eager to share our work with audiences again thanks to support from OAC and TOsketchfest.

Clocked! An All Trans Sketch Show

Clocked! An All Trans Sketch Show is an endeavour to develop an hour-long sketch revue written and performed entirely by transgender comedians. There are many talented trans comedians in Toronto, but often we are the only trans person within a troupe. Clocked! is an opportunity for each of us to create new material that can only be brought to life when we have other trans performers to play off of. Any one of our sketches could have two, maybe three, gosh, even six trans characters on stage at one time! Is such a thing even possible?? We aim to find out.

Legally Brown: The Sketch Comedy Show

We aim to create It’s Our Turn!, a sketch revue exploring pop culture, current events, and politics with only a few commercial breaks. With support from TOsketchfest and the OAC, we’ll focus on refining our craft by easing rehearsal costs and collaborating with esteemed performer Rakhee Morzaria as a coach. This project will culminate in a live performance showcasing our work alongside local Toronto comedy talent. Using an inclusive venue, we’ll foster community engagement through post-show networking AND dancing, creating a space where creativity and connection thrive. This initiative celebrates comedy as a platform for dialogue and connection.

The Bicycle Thief Of Queen Street: A Musical Comedy

We plan to create a revue of scenes, sketches and songs inspired by the story of Igor Kenk, the world’s most prolific bike thief.

Through song and comedy, we aim to recreate the unique atmosphere of Queen Street West before gentrification, a time when the neighbourhood was known for its grungy charm and unconventional characters. We’ll explore the motivations behind Kenk’s thefts, his romantic relationships, his impact on the community, and how bicycles shape the soul of downtown Toronto.

We can’t wait to get writing on this project.

Short Attention Spa’s Giant Puppet Sketch Revue

We are using the grant to develop a Giant Puppet Sketch Revue! With artist, Krista Dalby, we built large cardboard puppets as extensions of ourselves. Now, we aim to explore comedic material, creating a “cardboard world” where self-exploration meets audience interaction. The germ of this work began in public spaces, doing little ‘bits’ at rural fairs and parades interacting with the public, and doing improv sets of short form games where the puppets began to serve as a vehicle for our ideas. Our hope is to move the work into a theatrical setting, allowing us to deepen these themes through satirical sketch comedy, clowning, and audience interaction.

Special thanks to

Learning + Fun: Comedy Meets Funding

Posted on: January 13th, 2025 by Virginia Woodall

Comedy Meets Funding: Understanding OAC Theatre Grants

Looking to secure funding for your comedy project? The Ontario Arts Council’s Theatre Projects grant program is currently accepting applications until February 6, 2025 – 1pm.

This workshop, led by Daniel Carter, Theatre Program Officer at the Ontario Arts Council (OAC), provides an in-depth guide to navigating the Theatre Projects granting program. Learn how to frame and position your work within the grant’s five categories—Creation, Development Workshops, Productions, Festivals/Initiatives, and more.

Daniel will break down the application process, share specific strategies for aligning comedic projects with funding criteria, and offer insights from his extensive background in theatre administration and programming. This is a must-attend for comedy creators eager to transform their creative ideas into fundable projects. Let’s get your comedy the support it deserves!

COMEDY MEETS FUNDING: UNDERSTANDING OAC THEATRE GRANTS
Date: Available On Demand (Original Livestream: Thursday, January 16, 6:00-8:00pm Eastern Time)
Location: Virtual Session – Zoom
Program Length is approximately 2 hours
Cost: FREE

Special thanks to

5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in January 2025

Posted on: January 7th, 2025 by Virginia Woodall

It’s January – a month of fresh starts, cozy layers, and dreaming of brighter days ahead. The top five comedy shows you should see in Toronto this January are here to warm your soul and chase away those winter blues with laughter as crisp and refreshing as a snowy morning. January has everything you need to kick off the year with humor and joy. So, pour yourself a steaming mug of something comforting (or a cheeky New Year’s cocktail) and dive into this list of the top shows that will keep your spirits high all month long!

THE AFTER PARTY: MUSICAL EDITION

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9

This party is the after party you won’t forget! This month’s edition will be filled with music, madness, and laughter! Sketch and musical stylings from the Ghazal Ghiami, Chelsea Larkin, Matt Mccready, Alex Tindal & Laura Cilevitz, The Red Hot Sili Peppers, Basic Pitches, stand-up from Andrew Parker, and music by Rory Grant.

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

SKETCH TO THE DEATH

WEDNESDAYS JANUARY 8, 15, 22, 29

It’s Sketch To The Death! Toronto’s annual (and brutal!) sketch comedy tournament is back! Toronto’s sketch comedy legends battle against each other to win over votes from the audience and judges. Cash prize for the winner, death for the losers! It’s all happening Wednesday nights in January and February at Comedy Bar Danforth.

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

CRINGE MOUNTAIN

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12

Come see Toronto’s funniest sketch comedy troupes perform their newest, cringiest material! Performances from: The Understudies, Shrimp Mocktail, Cam Wyllie, Dave Barclay, Friedman & Stew, and Depresh Mode

Wenona Lodge, Tickets and Info

OPEN STAGE

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17

For a night of unpredictable hilarity and unbridled creativity, don’t miss Open Stage Night at Sweet Action Theatre this January. This one-of-a-kind event flips the script on the traditional open mic, offering performers the entire stage to showcase their quirkiest and most whimsical acts. From clown and bouffon to improv and heartfelt stories, it’s a playground for seasoned pros and curious newcomers alike. Come ready to laugh, be surprised, and maybe even take a turn in the spotlight yourself!

Sweet Action Theatre, Tickets and Info

TITA COLLECTIVE COMEDY CABARET

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26

Tita Collective: Comedy Cabaret is the latest Tita Collective project, featuring musical improv, brand new songs and reimagined versions of the Titas’ classic hits. This show is a cabaret-style act that brings together storytelling and audience participation. Join the Titas for a fun night or musical comedy, featuring different guests each month!

The Tranzac Club, Tickets and Info

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s 5 Comedy Shows to see in Toronto January 2025. Like our picks? Let us know! Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com. TOsketchfest is just around the corner – get your 2025 Festival Pass today.

Photo Credit: Alicia Carrick

5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in December 2024

Posted on: December 2nd, 2024 by Virginia Woodall

It’s December – a month of twinkle lights, holidays, and festive spirit. Here are our 5 Toronto comedy shows to see in December 2024, a hilarious feast of holiday vibes, bringing belly laughs as warm as your coziest winter socks. December has everything you need to celebrate the season with comedy and laughter. So, grab a hot cocoa (or something stronger) and check out this list of the top five comedy shows you should see in Toronto this December!

SUMMER DAD PRESENTS: 7 QUESTIONS NOT TO ASK OVER THE HOLIDAYS

DECEMBER 11, 15, 17, 19

The holidays are a time spent with loved ones, and with that usually comes a bombardment of questions you’re sick of hearing every time you visit home. Come explore some of these questions, along with other holiday antics in a sketch show with laughs and yuletide spirit set to max.

Comedy Bar Danforth Dec 11, 15, Tickets and Info

Assembly Theatre Dec 17, 19, Tickets and Info

HOLIDAY! AN IMPROVISED MUSICAL

DECEMBER 11-21

Holiday! An Improvised Musical takes its inspiration from Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” to bring you the only party you’ll need. Based on suggestions from the audience, the cast weaves together a series of improvised vignettes and songs exploring love, relationships, work and the true meaning of the season. PLUS this show was a 2024 Dora Award Nominee for Outstanding Production, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble and Outstanding Creative Direction.

Factory Theatre, Tickets and Info

POTATO POTATO’S FOURTH GRADE HOLIDAY PAGEANT EXTRAVAGANZA

DECEMBER 18-19

Your favourite tater tots are back to weaponize their theatre degrees with a holiday themed song-filled sketch revue about politics, climate change, and the hilariously apocalyptic state of the world. In a world obsessed with the US, Potato Potato is here to throw light (and shade) on the Canadian side of the story. Part political satire, part sketch show, and with a generous dose of dread- prepare for recycled props, catchy musical parodies, and surprise visits from your (least) favourite politicians.

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

TORONTO SKETCHFEST COMEDY SHOWCASE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19

We’re kicking off the 20th anniversary festival celebrations with a bang—and a whole lot of laughs—with this showcase featuring SIX incredible local sketch comedy acts! Featuring: CORPSE, Solo Act, The Banana Loafers, King & Kween, Vivek Srikanthan, and MK Morris. Word on the street is Virginia will be rocking a fabulously festive holiday sweater as host. Dust off your winter giggles and get ready for a night of sketch comedy you won’t soon forget!

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

A RED HOT SILI HOLIDAY SHOW

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

Toronto’s silliest sketch troupe the Red Hot Sili Peppers are proud to present ‘A Red Hot Sili Holiday Show’. Grab your friends and your spiked and spicy eggnog because this comedy show is one you won’t want to miss! Featuring Sketch, Improv, Stand up, and even some sing-a-longs you’re sure to HO HO-have a good time! 50% of the proceeds going to Nellie’s Shelter so you can spend your Sunday night laughing and feel extra good about it!

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s 5 Comedy Shows to see in Toronto December 2024. Like our picks? Let us know! Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com.

5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in November 2024

Posted on: November 2nd, 2024 by Virginia Woodall

November means we fall back an hour and start to truly embrace the shorter and darker days. Add some light back into the night with incredible comedy shows to see in Toronto. This month has a lot to offer with solo, Clown, dark comedy, classic sketch, and even the SKETCHIEST sketch show of the year. Here’s a list of the top shows that you don’t want to miss!

VIVEK SRIKANTHAN: ONE MAN NO CITY

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2

As a solo performer, Vivek was semi-finalist in Toronto’s Sketch to the Death competition, and has performed at Toronto, Montreal & Denver Sketchfests. Directed by Dave Barclay this is a show just waiting for an audience of sketchfest-diehards! Join Vivek as he comedically and painfully pulls apart his life, history, relationships, ethnicity, and family while struggling to understand himself in this meta-fictional, idiotic, self-deprecating solo sketch comedy revue.

Aki Studio, Tickets and Info

CLOWN HOUR

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Get a taste of all kinds of some of Toronto’s most hilarious sketch comedy at this hour of clown. You’ll see Cheap Wine, Jon Blair, Hilarity Strikes, 24 Double B, Sarah Bennett, and Sachin Sharma. That’s a powerhouse lineup with guaranteed laughs ready for their audience!

Tallboys Craft Beer House, Tickets and Info

TORONTO SKETCHFEST COMEDY SHOWCASE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21

We’re getting 20th anniversary festival vibes started early with this showcase featuring SIX local sketch comedy acts: The Understudies, Lower Class Act, Friedman & Stew, Better News Toronto, Spencer Glassman, and Small Friend Tall Friend. Get that sketchfest energy out of hibernation and be prepared to laugh!

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

GRIEF IS A JERK

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Comedy is all about taking a look at life and reflecting it back through different perspectives and interpretations. The sadness that wrecks on our emotional, mental, and physical well-being is often avoided in everyday conversations. Upstate NY comedian and producer, Angela, shouts from the stage “Grief is a Jerk!” to acknowledge the real life pain experienced by so many grievers. This hilariously irreverent show is currently running in New York City but is coming to Toronto for one night only!

Bar Cathedral, Tickets and Info

FINE ART: A COMEDY SHOW WITH 24 DOUBLE B

NOVEMBER 27, 28, 29

Winners of the TO Sketchfest 2024 “Sketchiest Sketch Troupe” 24 Double B presents a night of comedy that proves that they are serious artists, thank you very much. It is the lore of the Toronto Comedy Community that this peer-voted award comes with the burden and honour of hosting a Sketchiest Sketch Show before the next TOsketchfest. We will be there and you should be, too!

Division 88, Tickets and Info

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s Five Comedy Shows to see in Toronto November 2024. Like our picks? Let us know! Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com.

5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in October 2024

Posted on: October 2nd, 2024 by Virginia Woodall

October has more to offer than just spooky season, it’s also filled with incredible comedy shows to see in Toronto. This month features more festivals, comedy in theatres, and so much great sketch that you don’t want to miss. Here’s a list of the top shows (or series of shows) that you don’t want to miss!

13 PLAYS ABOUT ADHD ALL AT THE SAME TIME

OCTOBER 3rd to 13th

Comedy is an incredibly impactful way to process and reflect the world, perspective, and our inner thoughts. This new show is setting out to do exactly that. It will be a place to learn about some real lived experiences. Join this incredible team as they explore, laugh at, and maybe, hopefully, eventually, learn to accept their beautiful stupid brains.

Assembly Theatre, Tickets and Info

SEX T-REX PRESENTS: D&D LIVE!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6

Sketchfest favourites Sex T-Rex present a monthly unscripted adventure. Experience all the critical hits, the epic fails and jokes jokes jokes from an award-winning cast of comedians with swords. October’s show features the legendary musical direction of Jordan Armstrong and, trust us, you want to be there!

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

TORONTO SKETCHFEST COMEDY SHOWCASE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17

We’re gearing up for our 20th anniversary TOsketchfest and are excited to present this showcase featuring SIX sketch comedy acts: Crunchy Tigers Comedy, Pat Gourdeau, Devin Bateson, All Sorts, Erica Gellert, and Cheap Wine. This showcase offers an exciting platform for emerging and seasoned sketch comedians to perfect their craft and film their performances for future festivals. Come on out and make those laugh tracks loud with your energy, cheers, and support!

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

PRUDE

OCTOBER 17th to 27th

Lou Campbell’s PRUDE is a stand up set. It’s a drag show. It’s a ted talk gone wrong. The electrifying and hilarious piece hits the stage at the Buddies in Bad Times Cabaret space
for the Next Stage Theatre Festival. Don’t miss out on this fresh, hilarious, and boundary-pushing piece of theatre that’s truly like nothing you’ve ever seen before. PRUDE challenges societal norms and celebrates individuality in a high-energy, thought-provoking performance you won’t want to miss.

Buddies in Bad Times, Tickets and Info

COMEDY IS ART

OCTOBER 22nd to 26th

Five Nights. Eight Shows. 50+ Artists. This series is presented by The Theatre Centre, TOsketchfest’s own festival home since 2015. Get out there and catch all kinds of comedy: Standup, improv, sketch – you’ll find it all here. The mission of these five days to present and advocate for comedy as art resonates dearly with us and we can’t wait to see it. There will be some sketchfest favourites on stage including (but certainly not limited to) Bitty-Bat, Lou Laurence, Small Friend Tall Friend, and Diaspora Darlings.

The Theatre Centre, Tickets and Info

Want to see some comedy while having an autumnal escape from the city?

Comedy Country wraps up October 18th & 19th with its series finale headlined by host of CBC’s The Debaters, Steve Patterson live at The Regent Theatre in Picton, and Stirling Festival Theatre. Click here for tickets and info.

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s Five Comedy Shows to see in Toronto October 2024. Like our picks? Let us know! Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com.

Learning + Fun: Tips for Great Live Submissions

Posted on: September 24th, 2024 by Virginia Woodall

TOsketchfest kicks off the 2025 Learning + Fun Series with an informative virtual presentation with the TOsketchfest team, and guests from Newfoundland and Labrador Sketch Fest, Philly Sketchfest and Austin Sketch Fest.

Submissions for TOsketchfest25 are open from October 1 – November 10, 2024. Creating a festival submission is a job. Sure, there are the forms and submission fees to navigate, but that’s just the END of a submissions process.

How do you write about your work?
Do you have great photos?
Does your video submission do your work justice?

We thought we’d bring a few festival programmers together to talk a bit about what their festivals are looking for, and to offer tips and insights on what you can do to make your festival submission shine.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT FESTIVAL SUBMISSION?
Date: Wednesday October 9, 6:00-7:00pm Eastern Time
Location: Virtual Session – Zoom
Program Length is approximately 60 minutes
Cost: FREE

Our Guests

Paul Snepsts

Paul Snepsts (he/him) is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. Paul is a passionate advocate for writers and performing artists in comedy. He has fulfilled roles as Canadian talent scout for JibJab Inc., sat on adjudication committees for The Tim Sims Encouragement Awards, The Canadian Comedy Awards, and was Vice President of The Canadian Association of Stand-up, Sketch and Improv Comedians. In his 20 years in working comedy Paul has watched a LOT of festival submissions.

Stef Curran

Stef Curran (she/they) is a comedian and writer based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and is the Director of Communications for the newly formed Newfoundland and Labrador Sketch Fest. Curran has been performing for over thirteen years but has concentrated her focus on comedy over the last six years. Curran has done comedy outside of Newfoundland and Labrador, including Toronto Sketch Festival and Chicago Sketch Fest at Stage 773, and virtually reaching audiences all over the world on Tik Tok (rawstefc) where she produces short comedic sketches for 28,000 followers. Curran, along with Mom’s Girls, has co-written and acted in Tales from the Floordrobe, which is a children’s TV show funded and available now to watch on Bell Fibe, TV1, and will be starring along Mom’s Girls member Andie Bulman in the new Bell Fibe show Casting which will be airing this fall.

Josh Higham

Josh Higham is a producer with Philly Sketchfest. He is the creator and host of My First Sketch, where he interviews sketch comedians from all over North America. In Philly, he works on the bi-monthly shows, Cutthroat Sketch, Cavalcade, and the soon-to-debut Theme Park. Most recently, he performed sketch comedy under the moniker Mean Sparkle.

Carolyn Kelleher

Carolyn Kelleher (she/her) is the Creative Director of Austin Sketch Fest and a writer-director-producer-comedian-and-self-proclaimed-multi-hyphenate in Austin, Texas. Carolyn regularly performs stand up, sketch, and improv comedy with troupes Folxxx and (B Iden Payne nominated) Mother Wound.

5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in September 2024

Posted on: September 4th, 2024 by Virginia Woodall

September is the time to head back to school and for some of us, it was always the most exciting time of the year. The leaves changing, the air getting crisp and fresh, and reuniting with friends we didn’t get to see all summer. Well this year the fall season also kicks off with So. Many. Great. Comedy. Shows! Here are TOsketchfest’s Picks for Live Comedy in Toronto this September!

HOT SOUP PRESENTS: THE AFTER PARTY

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

The After Party is a variety show with a little bit of a lot of great comedy. This month features Improv, Musical Improv, Stand-up, and Sketch! Tough day at work? Come to the After Party. Bad date? The AP is here for you. Hate your kids? Don’t bring them to the AP. Don’t have a party to go to before? That’s okay. Everyone is welcome at this AP.

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

TORONTO SKETCHFEST COMEDY SHOWCASE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Are you like us and going through some Sketchfest withdrawal and having a hard time waiting until March for more of that energy?! Join us for a dose of hilarity and creativity at our brand new Sketch Comedy Showcase. It will be a vibrant stage where local troupes bring their freshest and funniest material to life! As we gear up for the 20th anniversary of the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival in 2025, this showcase offers an exciting platform for emerging and seasoned sketch comedians to perfect their craft and film their performances for future festivals. Come on out and make those laugh tracks loud with your energy, cheers, and support!

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

THE BEST COMEDY SHOW IN TORONTO IN 80 YEARS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

The Best Comedy Show in Toronto in 80 Years is a daytime/nighttime variety talk show experience. Hosts Melanie Dahling & Laura McLean present sketch, stand-up, and improv from the following acts: Brain Frogs, Legally Brown, Two 2 Mango, Spencer Glassman, Rena Taylor, Alex Kolanko, Chris Leveille, Jesse Northey, and Conrad Osei. Add this one to the schedule!

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

WHAT THE FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 26, 27, 28, 29

WTFestival is back this month with a whole schedule of live entertainment that makes you go ‘WTF’ – but in a good way. From delicious drag shows, playful puppet pieces, charming clown acts, and bold bouffon, they’ve got it all. Get out there and check out some wild and wonderful performances!

Youngplace, 180 Shaw St, Tickets and Info

BESTIE FEST

SEPTEMBER 27, 28, 29

Bestie Fest is a brand new 3-day comedy festival, featuring panels, parties & comedy shows showcasing the best of Toronto’s comedy scene. You can see all styles of comedy, including stand-up, sketch, music, drag, and more! Bring your besties, and your besties’ besties – there’s something for everyone.

The Drake Hotel, Tickets and Info

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s Five Comedy Shows to see in Toronto September 2024. Like our picks? Let us know! Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com.

5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in August 2024

Posted on: August 9th, 2024 by Virginia Woodall

It’s August – the month that still feels hot and steamy like summer, but with some added fall vibes as we eagerly anticipate our first pumpkin spiced drink. Here are some incredible comedy shows to check out while you soak up the final weeks of summer in the city!

GILLIAN BARTOLUCCI

WED, AUGUST 21 & THU AUGUST 22

Gillian delivers a batch of tried-and-true skits along with a couple of fresh new bits! Hot monologues sent straight to your face at a talking speed that verges on panic-inducing. She does it all, and usually in one breath! It’s a night of esteemed solo sketch comedy; you will laugh in such good taste!

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

COMEDY RECORDS PRESENTS COURTNEY GILMOUR LIVE ALBUM RECORDING

THU, AUGUST 22 & FRI, AUGUST 23

Courtney Gilmour is an award winning comic, a television writer, amputee, and finalist on Canada’s Got Talent. She has been featured on Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, Just For Laughs, and CBC.

Her debut album “Let Me Hold Your Baby” was nominated for Comedy Album Of The Year at the 2023 JUNO awards and she’s back to record another one for the running! Be part of the LIVE album taping August 22nd and 23rd presented by Comedy Records and featuring a few special guests to open the show! If this one doesn’t get the JUNO she is certified in First Aid training and is available for babysitting services.

Come put your biggest laughs on record to play on SiriusXM! It’s going to be a hot show and will sell out so grab a ticket ASAP!

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

THE SKETCH SHOW

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25

Some of Toronto’s best and emerging comedians perform a bunch of ‘Little Funny Plays’ at the largest sketch comedy show in the city. With a lineup you can’t even fit on paper, get ready for laugh after laugh as each act only has 5 minutes to entertain!

The Rivoli, Tickets and Info

HILLARY YASS IS A…MISERABLE OLD WHITE WOMAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29

You don’t want to miss Hillary Yaas’ new show about that time she got called a miserable old white woman, and how she now self identifies as one! Filled with songs, parody, improv, sketch and BINGO!

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

FRINGE IS FUNNY SERIES

FRI, AUGUST 30 & SAT, AUGUST 31

We spent a lot of time talking about Fringe last month, so let’s keep the shine on a coulpe standout shows. Bad Dog Theatre brings you the Fringe is Funny Series featuring COLONIAL CIRCUS and 1 SANTOSH SANTOSH 2: TOSH FINDS HIS GROOVE. It’s a two-for-one recommend!

Assembly Theatre, Tickets and Info

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out our 5 Comedy Shows to See in Toronto in June 2024. Like our picks? Let us know! Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com.

Need a break from the city this month?

Visit Comedy Country on August 9 for Comedy on the Moira and August 10 for Comedy at the Cider House for two unforgettable evenings of live comedy at a couple incredible venues! Tickets and Info

Tickets

Schedule & Single Tickets

The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival

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