Team Rudy

Back in 2005, when we launched the first TOsketchfest, we designed our logo and introduced a little smiley icon named Rudy. Rudy represents that great friend—someone who always puts you in a good mood, has your back, and makes you laugh. That friend who’s in every selfie when you think about your “good times.”

That’s the role we want to play—for our audiences and the comedy creators we serve. And it’s how we feel about the people who love this festival and support our work. Team Rudy.

We’re always stronger as a team. So, as we celebrate 20 years in 2025, we’re building the biggest, funniest, most unstoppable Team Rudy ever. Join us. Pledge $20 a month and power the next two decades of TOsketchfest.

Why Give to TOsketchfest?

TOsketchfest is one of our country’s only registered charities dedicated to developing and supporting live comedy and its creators in Canada – a cohort of performing artists traditionally unsupported in Canada’s traditional arts funding systems. Through flagship live performance events like The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival and the Comedy Country summer comedy series, alongside year-round workshops and panels in our Learning + Fun Program, our organization plays a vital role stimulating a dynamic and inclusive comedy landscape.

2023/24 By The Numbers

64

live comedy performances presented and produced, showcasing comedic creativity and bringing audiences together to share laughter.

71

sketch troupes, solo acts, musical comedians, drag, and clown acts were showcased, amplifying diverse comedic voices.

249

individual comedy creators graced our stages, each bringing varied perspectives and hilarious stories to life.

58

employment opportunities were generated for arts workers, fostering community resilience.

8

brand new comedy projects received funding — projects historically excluded from traditional arts funding streams.

25

workshops, panels, and professional networking events offered, specifically designed to foster Canadian comedy artists.

213

participants in our Learning + Fun program–artists upping their game and comedy enthusiasts at all levels experimenting with their comedic voice.

$81,000

paid in artist fees to comedy writer/performers, honouring worth, and stimulating work in an under-supported performing arts sector.

Script the Next Chapter

You don’t stick around for 20 years without doing a whole lot right. This snapshot of our impact in 2023/24 demonstrates TOsketchfest’s commitment to investing in the artists who bring us together, tell our stories, and give us the gift of laughter.

Join Team Rudy by making a $20 monthly donation and help us shape the future of Canadian comedy. Together, let’s script the next chapter.

Will you help us script the next 20 years by making a $20 monthly gift today?

Thank You

Team Rudy:

The following are the very cool, ultra-hip folks who answered our call to join our 10-for-20 community in 2024. Introducing… the starting lineup of Team Rudy:

Anonymous, Charles Armstrong, Nancie Anderson, Braeden Banks, Lanrick Bennett Jr., Josh Bricker, Susan Cavan, Adam Cohen, John David DeGrow, Leah Dietrich, David Evans, Nate Friedman, David Galpin, Barbra Guiao, Groove Communications, Aaron Hagey-MacKay, Neil Halper, Megan Hamilton, Sam Hancock, Gordon Harper, Andrew Hepburn, Mona Hersi, Jade Hesson, Marc Hill, Peter Hill, Melanie Hunter, Francesca Imbrogno, Emily Klama, Robert Knox, Victoria Laberge, Christopher Leveille, Christina Loeffel, Larissa Mair, Daniel MacKay, Megan MacKeigan, Rade Markovic, Geoffrey Marshall, Michael Mildon, Andrea Miller, Chad Mitchell, Damien Nelson, Gavin North, Fuchsia Norwich, Kent Penaranda, Plural Works Inc., Chris Pressey, Tom Quinn, Zoe Randall-Rabnett, Laura Salvas, Geoffrey Schoenberg, Craig Scorgie, Matt Smiley, Paul and Julianne Snepsts, Tim Smythe-Bishop, Teper Medicine Professional Corp., Karen Tsang, Casey Jane Tuninga, Meghan Warby, Sabina Wex, Karen Williams, Virginia Woodall, Cam Wyllie, Michael Jones, Gayle Wilmot

2024 Donors:

This list includes individual gifts made between July 1st 2023 and June 30, 2024.

$10-$99
Anonymous (x2), Dongwoo Kim, Jason Kinder, Tonya Scherba, Anna Luo, Paul Kern, Thomas Burns, Sara Creaghan, Paula Tenaglia, Michelle Voskamp, Michael Jones, Meredith Morrissey, Jason Petrunia, Elise Kraft van Ermel, Caroline Cunningham, Audrey Yen-Shuin, Anastasia Roth, Kathryn Hermelin, John Prond, Heather Beaumont, Brian Edwards, Ruth McCormick, Nicholas Sperti, Barry O’Sullivan, Al Braatz, Virginia Hyland, Slava Toth, Sarah Matton, Lynda McQueen, Jennifer Evola, Jason Reid, Emily Taylor, Dean Farrell, Darren Smith, Adriane Newsham, Youself Williams, and Melody Johnson

Thank you to all of the folks who support TOsketchfest. We’re human, and make mistakes here and there. Please let us know if there is an error or omission in our list of thanks.

The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival Inc. is a provincially registered charity:
824216808 RR 0001