“Schitt’s Rivalry” A Players Original

June 4-6, 11-13

What happens when the Rose family collides with hockey culture and cottage country? We honestly have no idea, but we can’t wait to find out. Schitt’s Rivalry is the latest original musical comedy from PlayersTO, blending real estate feuds, hot tubs, canoes, romance, and hockey into one gloriously Canadian summer showdown. Featuring Anjali Mulligan, Brennah Toews, Emily Ferrier, Jason Marshall, Kirk McCullough, Lance Oribello, Mike Jankovich, and Stefania D’Amario, this is exactly the kind of ridiculous cottage-country chaos we’re here for.

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets & Info

What The Festival presents: Spring Thing

Saturday, June 6

If your comedy tastes run a little weirder (or a lot weirder), Spring Thing should be on your radar. The evening kicks off with the inaugural Sweet Idiot Showdown, a competition to determine Toronto’s most beloved clown, which is somehow both a prestigious title and a concerning one. Then, stick around for the Toronto premiere of A Young Man Dressed as a Gorilla Dressed as an Old Man Sits Rocking in a Rocking Chair for Fifty-six Minutes and then Leaves. Is it performance art? Is it comedy? Is it both? We have questions, and we’re buying tickets to find out.

Sweet Action Theatre, Tickets & Info

Spotlight at The Second City: Pride Edition

Tuesday, June 9 + Wednesday, June 10

One of our favourite monthly sketch showcases is celebrating Pride with a lineup stacked with some of the funniest queer performers in the city. This month’s edition features Shrimp Mocktail, She/They, and A.C. Birch, before being headlined by Tyra Banda, a Second City alumna and member of Toronto improv favourites Little Miss Normal. If you’re looking for a night of sketch, character work, and comedy that reflects the incredible range of queer voices in Toronto, this is the show to see.

Theatre ’73, The Second City, Tickets & Info

Tawa Comedy Festival

Fridays: June 12, 19, and 26

June is Filipino Heritage Month, making it the perfect time to check out the Tawa Comedy Festival. Produced by the Tita Collective, this festival brings together performers from across Canada and the United States for a celebration of Filipin* comedy, culture, and storytelling. Expect stand-up, improv, character comedy, and plenty of big laughs throughout the month. Whether you’re familiar with the artists or discovering them for the first time, this festival is a fantastic opportunity to experience bold, joyful comedy rooted in community and connection.

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets & Info

Party & Play! A Queer Comedy Show

Sunday, June 21

Pride Month deserves more than just another dance party, and Party & Play! delivers exactly that. Hosted by the incredible Hillary Yass and Selena Vyle, this comedy variety show brings together some of Toronto’s best queer performers for a night of stand-up, sketch, improv, and drag. Featuring Kirsten Rasmussen, Brandon Hackett, Anders Yates, Tyra Banda, Ben Sosa-Wright, Zoe Marin, Blair MacMillan, Robert Defina, Stevey Hunter, A.C. Birch, Tony Varkaris, Phil Johnston, Katie Chin, Kirk McCullough, and Adam Urquhart, this lineup is absolutely stacked. And as if that wasn’t enough, the entire cast comes together at the end of the night for a giant improvised Pride-themed montage. We’re already excited about it!

Theatre ’73, The Second City, Tickets & Info

Feeling Clever? Prove It.

Before you head off to the cottage, test your comedy knowledge at TOsketchfest’s Comedy Trivia Night at the Rivoli on Wednesday, June 17. Expect laughs, friendly competition, questionable confidence in your answers, and the occasional “I can’t believe I knew that.” Best of all, every ticket helps support TOsketchfest and the artists we serve year-round!

Looking for a Comedy Road Trip?

If you’re itching to get out of the city, point your car east and head to Prince Edward County on June 25 for the final showcase celebrating another successful year of the County Comedy Project. This annual program supports emerging comedy creators as they develop new work, culminating in a showcase performance featuring the next generation of comedic talent.

Pack some snacks, make a day of it, and enjoy an evening of fresh comedy in one of Ontario’s most beautiful regions.

Click here for details and tickets!

—

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s Top 5 Comedy Shows to see in Toronto in June 2026. Like our picks? Let us know!

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

The post Five Toronto Comedy Shows to See in June 2026 appeared first on The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.

Know your comedy? Let’s find out!

We’re wrapping up our festival year on June 30, and before we do, we’re bringing the community together for one last celebration and fundraiser: Comedy Trivia. It’s a chance to test your knowledge, connect with fellow comedy lovers, and directly support the artists and programs that make TOsketchfest what it is.

Here’s how it works: round up a team of up to four people, grab your tickets, and get ready to compete! Questions will span the world of comedy, from sketch and improv to film, TV, and the wonderfully weird corners in between. Whether you’re a casual fan or a deep-cut comedy nerd, there’s something here for you. And yes, there are prizes. The top three teams will walk away with some great wins, including a grand prize comedy pack valued at over $400.

Your host for the night is Taylor Hreljac, a seasoned trivia pro and member of Summer Dad, the TOsketchfest26 Best of Fest award winners. You’re in very good hands. Expect a lively room, a few curveballs, and plenty of laughs along the way.

More than anything, this night is about showing up for the community. Every ticket helps us continue to create paid performance opportunities, professional development programs, and a space where comedic artists can grow their work and connect with each other. If you’ve ever laughed at a TOsketchfest show, discovered a new favourite act, or just believe in supporting weird live art in a difficult ecosystem, this is a great way to give back.

COMEDY TRIVIA: A TOsketchfest Fundraiser

Date: Wednesday, June 17, Doors 6:30pm, Trivia 7:00pm
Location: The Rivoli Toronto, 334 Queen St. W
Program Length is approximately 1 hour
Tickets: Pay-What-You-Can (starting at $20)

Come for the trivia, stay for the community, and help us keep the laughs going year-round!

Can’t make it and still want to help?

If trivia night isn’t in the cards, you can still be part of this final push. You can make a donation anytime through our website to help send our festival year out on a high note.

As a registered charity, TOsketchfest provides tax receipts for donations of $10 or more, so your support goes a long way (and gets a little something back, too). It helps us pay artists, run programs, and keep this whole thing moving forward.

However you choose to support, we’re really grateful to have you in our corner.

The post Comedy Trivia Fundraiser: June 17 appeared first on The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.

If you’ve ever thought “grants aren’t for me,” this is the session will challenge that idea.

Comedy, and especially sketch comedy, is often underrepresented within traditional theatre and performing arts funding streams. That doesn’t mean the funding isn’t there. It means fewer comedy artists are applying for it.

This webinar is designed to demystify that process.

Hearing directly from Canada Council for the Arts Program Officer Matthew Tiffin will give you real insight into how applications are assessed, what makes a project compelling, and how comedy can position itself within these programs. This is not abstract advice. It is practical, usable guidance that can directly impact your ability to access funding.

The programs being covered are:

• Arts Across Canada and Abroad | Micro-grants
• Explore and Create | Artistic Creation

If you are creating new work, thinking about touring, collaborating with artists in other regions, or simply trying to carve out time to focus on your craft, these programs exist to support exactly that.

And this session is free.

There is very little barrier to entry here. One hour of your time could open up access to thousands of dollars in funding, along with a clearer understanding of how to position your work within the broader arts ecosystem.

The live Q&A is also a helpful opportunity. You can ask specific questions about your own projects, your discipline, and how comedy fits into these funding frameworks.

If you are serious about developing your work, growing your career, or making your next project possible, this is worth showing up for.

COMEDY AND THE CANADA COUNCIL

Date: Tuesday, June 9, 12:00pm
Location: Virtual Session, Live Streaming – Zoom
Program Length is approximately 1 hour
Cost: FREE

Special thanks to

The post Comedy and The Canada Council appeared first on The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.

Blockbuster Week

May 11 to 16

We don’t always stray from sketch in this series, but for Blockbuster Week, we’re making an exception. Our improv cousins at Bad Dog Comedy Theatre and Sex T-Rex are bringing back this beloved festival of brand-new, fully improvised shows inspired by movies and TV. It’s fast, funny, and completely unscripted, meaning anything can happen (and usually does). If you love big swings and even bigger laughs, this is worth adding to your calendar.

Deanne Taylor Theatre, Video Cabaret, Tickets & Info

Spotlight at The Second City: Janelle McGuinness & Debit-Cash-or-Credit

Tuesday, May 12 + Wednesday, May 13

If you’re looking to keep up with Toronto’s sketch scene, Spotlight should already be on your radar. This monthly double-bill highlights two standout acts, and May’s lineup is a strong one: Janelle McGuinness and Debit-Cash-or-Credit. Two distinct comedic voices, one night, and a great excuse to see what the next wave of sketch looks like right now.

Theatre ’73 at The Second City Toronto, Tickets & Info

Monster Island

Wednesday, May 13 + Wednesday, May 27

If character comedy is your thing (and honestly, it should be), Monster Island is one of the best showcases in the city. Expect bold, bizarre, and brilliantly committed performances from some of Toronto’s funniest performers. And if you’ve ever thought “I could do that,” stick around for the free Character Bucket after the show. It’s where new bits are born!

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets & Info

Sketch Party: hosted by Legally Brown

Saturday, May 23

Sketch Party continues its run as one of the best way to kick off a Saturday night! Each month brings a fresh mix of troupes, solo acts, and surprises and May’s edition, hosted by Legally Brown, is shaping up to be a good one. Expect a high energy, lively vibe, big laughs, and the kind of lineup that keeps the party going all night long.

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets & Info

Sketch at the Rivoli

Sunday, May 31

There’s something special about seeing sketch comedy in the Rivoli Backroom, the same space where The Kids in the Hall got their start. This monthly show brings together a packed lineup of Toronto’s best and emerging sketch performers, each delivering tight, five-minute sets. A steady stream of quick-hit sketches that deliver laugh after laugh. And it’s one of the easiest ways to catch a wide range of sketch comedy in one night.

The Rivoli, Tickets & Info

Looking to turn your comedy plans into a full-on road trip?

Head to Montréal Sketchfest (April 30-May 9), or venture a little further east to St. John’s for NL Sketch Comedy Festival (May 12-17) for even more laughs across the country.

—

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s Top 5 Comedy Shows to see in Toronto in May 2026. Like our picks? Let us know!

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

The post Five Toronto Comedy Shows to See in May 2026 appeared first on The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.

Becky Ablack

Becky Ablack (she/her) is a Toronto-based actor, writer, and theatre creator with a BFA in Theatre and a BA minor in Creative Writing from York University. Her screen credits include recurring roles on Ginny & Georgia (Netflix) and The Good Karma Hospital (Disney+), as well as Fear Street: Prom Queen and Kim’s Convenience. An award-winning theatre artist, she co-founded Small Friend Tall Friend; their show Do You Think You’re Better Than Me? won a Critic’s Pick at the 2023 Hamilton Fringe. Becky’s work centres humour, movement, and inventive storytelling that explores identity with warmth and wit.

Andy Assaf

Andy Assaf, originally from Montreal, is a Toronto based sketch and improv comedian and is a Second City Toronto Mainstage alumni where he wrote and performed 3 Sketch Revues. You might know him as The Cravensworth’s Monster on Season 6 of What We Do In The Shadows on Fx & the Recruit on Netflix. Last year, his short film Slop King won Outstanding Comedy Short at the Toronto Sketch Film Fest and he’s so excited to be part of the jury this year. He now performs sketch comedy regularly with Little Miss Normal Improv and produces Monster Island — Toronto’s Premiere Character Comedy Show. Festival credits include: Montreal, Toronto, Denver, Chicago & DC sketchfest, Vancouver Improv Festival Ensemble, and NYC – Del Close Marathon.

Tricia Black

Tricia Black is an award-winning actor, comedian, and filmmaker. They have won three Canadian Screen Awards for their work in the indie web series Band Ladies, Stories from My Gay Grandparents, and the animated series Summer Memories. Tricia also writes, composes, and produces original Canadian musicals with the award-winning theatre company Tweed & Company Theatre. Tricia is an alumna of The Second City Toronto Mainstage, where they performed in the 83rd/84th Revue and the theatrical comedy She The People. Film and TV credits include Pretty Hard Cases (CBC/NBC Int.), Small Achievable Goals (CBC), Wayward (Netflix), The Miniature Wife (Peacock/NBC), Starfleet Academy (CBS), and The Z-Suite (Tubi).

Julia Jones

Julia is a graduate of TMU’s Radio & Television Arts program with a focus on writing and producing. After completing the Second City Pen to Performance program, Julia joined Big Chick Energy who have performed in sketch festivals across the country and were awarded TOSketch Fest Producer’s Pick in 2023. When she isn’t being a professional goofball, Julia works as a Production Manager for animation studios in Toronto. She also really loves her cat, Chip.

Jakob Skrzypa

Jakob is a comedy writer, director, and producer whose debut feature, Vampire Zombies… from Space! has played at 40+ festivals worldwide and won 20+ awards. As half of the sketch duo Fun Uncle, Jakob wrote and directed dozens of sketches featured on Funny or Die, and broadcast on CBC. His shorts have screened and received awards at festivals including Fantasia and Calgary Underground. His most recent short, Your Money’s No Good Here, won him Best Canadian short, silver at Toronto After Dark and was a nominee for the TOSketchfest’s Outstanding Comedy Short award in 2024. Jakob also regularly produces for MTV’s The Challenge and has held crew roles on Survivor, Vanderpump Villa, and Nathan for You.

Get your tickets to the TOsketchfest Film Festival presented by Shozer on Wednesday, March 4 at The Theatre Centre!

The programming committee for the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival can include alumni of the Festival, and/or those who have lived experience and a deep knowledge of the comedy and film community. The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival will revisit its programming principles and jurying process each year to reflect the needs of the community. TOsketchfest will actively seek to find qualified jurors with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival thanks all those who have served on the Film Festival programming committee over the years!

The post Meet the 2026 Film Festival Programming Committee! appeared first on The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.

(Check out Part One of this series for more reccos!)

A.C. Birch

Find A.C. Birch at TOsketchfest in Alter Boy, March 6th and 12th.

In many ways, going to a festival is like ordering a table of tapas (everyone is always saying this, I know!) – as delicious as everything looks, it can help to be a little choosey. If only for the sake of the weight capacity of the table. Which I guess in this case is your busy schedule? This metaphor is really getting away from me. ANYWAY! If you’re looking for some help refining your selection, then look no further than the recommendations of the boyish waiter with the gay little smile and the under-eye bags of someone who is surely approaching end-of-life (it’s me, I’m the waiter. The metaphor is still going. I live here now, inside of this restaurant. Help me!)

Here are my must-see shows for our final days at TOsketchfest…

1. Legally Brown Presents: Corporate CULTure
   This troupe knows how to mine a theme for every drop of gold. When I tell you I’m still thinking (almost daily) of a random one-liner from one of their recent holiday shows you must believe me.
2. Summer Dad
   Well, well, well, if it isn’t one of the nicest, biggest, most talented, largest, coolest, most populous troupes in the city! You simply must see them.
3. Two2Mango
   Can you believe I get to share a billing with these clowns? I’m obsessed with Sachin and Shreya, and only a smart part of that obsession is driven by Sachin’s tiny little necktie. Grab a ticket for their show so you can see what I’m talking about.

Jacqueline Ashton

Find Jacquie with Legally Brown on March 8th and March 11th, and with The Midnight Snacks on March 14th.

Holy smokes, this is my Sketch Fest 2.0 (last year I was a young grasshopper and this year I am the captain now)…so buckle up, it’s going to be a cwazy n wild festival. There are so many shows worth seeing if you want to laugh your f-ing a-off every single day, but these are some of my faves.

My recommendations…

1. The Red Hot Sili Peppers are like the chilli crisps to my vanilla ice cream: utterly addictive, literally viral, and just the perfect sweet treat. They’re incredibly locked-in, every.single.time. Their shows are so muy picante I need to CHUG a glass of milk after, and I’m lactose intolerant, so that says a lot. I’m obsessed with them, they’re unstoppable & they’re HOT sellers obvi.
2. EMILY JEFFERS EVERYBODY. Emily and Legally Brown have a special bond, because yes, we shared the stage as double bill headliners in Spotlight at the Second City in February. So, it’s no wonder she’s got a special place in my heart. I LOVE all of her absurd characters and incredible physical comedy. Emily’s brain is just mwah, chef’s kiss. I want to be her when I grow up, sue me.
3. This recommendation is a two cakes, one pan kind of deal… Amanda Xeller is our friend from NYC, who Legally Brown was lucky enough to double bill with at last year’s Sketchfest! Her shows are incredibly hilarious and zany as she takes her characters to a level you didn’t even know was possible! Same show, same night, A.C. BIRCH – a shining star, they will quite literally have you cackling the house down. I don’t know about you, but I will absolutely be found hooting and hollering in the audience at this late-night show.

Kristina Guevarra

Catch Kristina Guevarra in Grease Trap with The Understudies on March 13 and with Brain Frogs on March 14 at Comedy Bar Bloor St in the Mainspace.

Her recommendations…

1. Lou Laurence
   The first time I saw Lou Laurence I was automatically enchanted, she had me tapping my feet to the rhythm of her funny little tunes and I was singing along like I was a fisherman at sea! Lou is the wittiest and sharpest serenading mermaid of all time. She is constantly weaving together melodies so clever, you’ll forget all of our own personal qualms on shore!
2. Beacon of Hope
   Oh boy, you better strap in… The millisecond you get wind of Nicky Fournier and Marty Graham on stage, you will be enamoured by this very CHARMING and very STRANGE duo. Their chemistry is undeniable like when you pop a mentos into a 2L of Diet Coke, an explosion of hilarity! Beacon of Hope is top tier, Montreal freaky, alternative comedy.
3. The Tita Collective
   These superstars are a sketch troupe I’ve been fangirling over for YEARS. Not only are they talented comedically and musically, but they are also making waves for the rest of us Filipinos who have an itch to defy limiting conventions and express ourselves through BIG laughs and art making. These ladies are constantly transcending the standard and pushing the needle forward. An absolute must see.

 Chris Leveille

Chris Leveille’s an award-winning sketch comedian who’s been a part of the comedy scene for over 15 years with troupes like Apology Not Accepted, Dame Judy Dench, and 32 Short Sketches About Bees. He’s also a Festival Board Member.

Their recommendations…

1. Comedy Dance Chicago: Anyone who’s talked to me during Sketchfest knows how much I love this troupe. Lots of sketch troupes write jokes – but this troupe dances them! Super physical, super energetic, and super surprising, I always leave their shows with a smile on my lips, a song on my tongue, and inspiration on my molars.
2. The Rocket Scientists: Years ago, I caught a Rocket Scientists set and laughed so hard beer came out my nose. This troupe hits my sweet spot – smart and silly. So I was excited to see they’re at Sketchfest as it’s been years since these silly geese performed together on stage – catch them now because who knows with their busy schedules – they’re all successful writers, performers, and comedians – when they’ll do it again!
3. 24 Double B In the Belly of the Beast: I caught this red-headed duo’s set earlier this year and it left me excited to see more – so I’m definitely catching their festival show! They’re silly, smart, dumb, and committed to their bits – a winning combination – but they get my heart when they go meta. They’re also super nice and super funny, so you know you’re in for a treat!

See you at TOsketchfest

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 post TSCF26 Insiders’ Guide – Part Two appeared first on The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.

Show: BDB Comedy’s Mandarin Sketch Night
When: Saturday, March 14, 6:00pm
Where: The Theatre Centre, Franco Boni Theatre
Runtime: 75 minutes
Best for: Fans of high-energy sketch comedy and anyone curious to experience live comedy in Mandarin with English captions
Tickets: HERE

BDB Comedy returns to TOsketchfest as a Featured Act at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, following a breakout debut that earned them the festival’s Audience Choice Award in 2024. Since forming in Toronto in 2022, BDB has quickly built a reputation for sharp, high-energy sketch comedy that plays confidently to the room and creates an unmistakable sense of fun. Their shows are fast-paced, tightly performed, and audience-forward, with a clear instinct for what lands live.

Mandarin Sketch Night brings together the strongest sketches BDB has developed over the past year, creating a lively showcase that reflects the group’s growth and momentum. The show is joyful and genre-spanning, rooted in strong ensemble chemistry and bold performance choices. Performed entirely in Mandarin with live English captions, the experience remains accessible while keeping the focus squarely on timing, craft, and big laughs. This is a crowd-pleasing comedy night led by a troupe that knows exactly how to connect.

“It’s a collective look at who we are and what we love: absurd, heartfelt, and very good.” – Olivia Tong, BDB Comedy

We asked BDB Comedy about their comedy, their process, and what audiences can expect from this show. Here’s what they had to say.

For readers meeting you for the first time: who are you, and how would you describe your comedy?

Hello, we’re BDB Comedy! Our name in Mandarin is 不得不喜剧. It is our fifth year creating and performing comedy in Toronto—mostly in Mandarin, and sometimes in English. We enjoy creating sketches that are relevant to our day-to-day lives. Our artists all share similar Mandarin-English bilingual backgrounds, which provides immense inspiration to pull from. We love emotional topics just as much as we love being goofballs about total shenanigans.

Tell us about the show you’re bringing to TOsketchfest. How did it come together?

Our show this year is another sketch hour featuring the best of our work from the past year. We currently have seven sketches in rehearsal, all born from our monthly ideation meetings. We’ve refined these premises through improv and tested them at our ‘Sketchy Sketch’ labs to bring you our funniest material yet.

What can audiences expect when they come to see this show?

Expect a high-energy genre mash-up! We’re jumping from ancient dynasty costume dramas to Stephen Chow-style underdog triumphs. Our stories are inspired by our lives as Millennials, GenZ, Torontonians, international students, immigrants, and kids who grew up obsessed with Chinese mythology. It’s a collective look at who we are and what we love: absurd, heartfelt, and very good.

What makes this show different from your past work, or from other sketch shows audiences might have seen?

We are constantly pushing ourselves to try things we’ve never done before—new genres, new dance tropes, and new technical challenges for our sound and light team. While our core spirit remains the same, BDB is evolving. We’re bolder and more experimental this year!

Why is TOsketchfest a great fit for this show?

We love Sketchfest! It has been such a welcoming home for us over the last three years. It was our first-ever comedy festival experience in 2024, and we love how each year it celebrates a massive variety of genres and talents. It’s full of kind, funny people, and we are so proud to be part of this community.

Who do you think will especially love this show?

Honestly we think anyone would have a great time. Whether you’re a sketch nerd or a first-timer, there’s something in here for you.

What excites you most about being a Featured Act at TOsketchfest this year?

When we heard the news, it felt like Wàn mǎ bēnténg (万马奔腾) — “ten thousand horses galloping through our hearts.” Since it’s the Year of the Horse, it’s spot on! It is an immense honor to be featured alongside some of the best comedians in North America. We can’t wait to join the celebration!

If someone is on the fence, what would you say to convince them to buy a ticket?

If you speak Mandarin, you’ll love the nuances and word play. If you don’t speak Mandarin, you’ll definitely love the stupidity, the energy and the comedy. Either way, you’re going to have a blast.

Why This Is a Featured Show

BDB Comedy was selected as a Featured Act because of the undeniable response their work receives from live audiences. Their debut at TOsketchfest in 2024 resulted in an Audience Choice Award, a clear signal of how strongly their comedy resonates in the room. The programming committee was drawn to their consistency, as well as the troupe’s confident performances, strong ensemble precision, and ability to sustain high energy across a full-length show.

Mandarin Sketch Night stands out for its clarity of purpose and execution. The sketches are tightly constructed, the performances are precise, and the overall experience feels celebratory without ever becoming loose or unfocused. Featuring BDB Comedy at TOsketchfest highlights a troupe that has quickly established itself as a dynamic and reliable presence, delivering joyful, high-quality sketch comedy that audiences genuinely want to experience again.

Don’t miss your chance to see one of TOsketchfest’s standout acts.

This featured show has limited seating and is expected to sell quickly.

Photo of BDB Comedy at TOsketchfest 2025 by Ramya Jegatheesan.

The post Meet the Featured Acts: BDB Comedy appeared first on The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.

Zoe Marín

Zoe Marín is an Argentine-American comedian (sketch, musical comedy, improv) who is so excited to be doing Toronto Sketch Fest for the 3rd year in a row (4th if you count the random year when she was an usher). You can catch her performing with her sketch-troupe Small Friend Tall Friend (March 12 and 14)! Or if you want to see a hilarious show she directed, go watch Amish Famous: The Musical (March 5 and 12).

Her recommendations…

1. First.. A double bill. The Red Hot Sili Peppers are so so silly, while also playing on gender stereotypes in such a smart and ridiculous (non-derogatory) way that I LOVE! And you can catch them on a double-bill on March 6 with Boy Crazy — a queer (woo!) troupe from NYC whose new show I’m uber excited to watch.
2. My sisters, Potato Potato, are the queens of political-satire, zillenial pop-culture references, and just overall silliness. Became a fan at TOsketchfest 2023, and they have been killing it every year!
3. If you are craving some hilarious solo-sketch, go see BEASTMODE- Sarah Bennett! She is one of the funniest sketch/improv/stand-up comedians I know, and portrays such a fun array of weirdos and freaks that I can’t wait to watch at Sketchfest.
4. Breaking the “Week 1” rules of part one in this blog series to tell you to go see 24 Double B in the Belly of the Beast. I’m serious when I tell you their Spotlight at the Second City show is one of the best things I’ve ever watched and I’m so in awe of them as performers/writers/improvizers. And they’re both gingers !

Rami Khan

Rami Khan is an actor, writer, comedian who’s been a part of Toronto Sketchfest for FIVE YEARS now (holy moly) with his sketch troupe Potato Potato. As a pillar in the community (that’s a real housewives reference for those who don’t get it) Rami is beyond excited to share his recommendations for Sketchfest this year – even though you can NEVER go wrong with this year’s line up.

His recommendations…

1. Cheap Wine is one of the most iconic, absurd and hilariously dead pan troupes in the city. As last year’s Audience Choice Award winners at Sketchfest they truly embrace sketch comedy with the most heart and soul. Their comedy always leaves me wanting more and I cannot wait to see what their Sketchfest show brings!
2. If you love a witty, silly song look no further than Small Friend Tall Friend. Small Friend Tall Friend has been one of my favourite troupes to watch rise through the comedy ranks. Their humor and wit has grown over the years with a precise POV and one of my favourite sketches of all time about having an intimate experience with Nosferatu.
3. As for a “troupe to watch” I will be putting my life’s savings on Debit, Cash, and Credit. I’ve gotten to know and love this troupe’s silly yet satirical work over the past year and seeing their growth in such a short time has been exciting to watch. Definitely check them out to see what the cool kids are up to these days.

Emily Jeffers 

Emily Jeffers is an actor, comedian and clown known for zany, fantastical characters like the Mathemagician (at Sketchfest March 4 and 13!) and Bitty-Bat. She performed with fellow Sketchfest babes Legally Brown at Spotlight at Second City in February!

Her recommendations…

1. Vivek Srikanthan is one of the top solo sketch performers in Toronto, and he’s just getting started! Having already smashed it with his first solo show appearing at festivals across North America, whatever he’s cooking up for this new show is a sure bet!
2. Having made the leap from the humble stages of their childhood living rooms in Sarnia, Ontario, to twice appearing on Canada’s Got Talent, Carson and Taylor are a delightful and idiotic duo with impeccable chemistry, ridiculous gags, and the ability to generate the kind of laughs that hurt your cheeks. Can’t wait for this one!
3. For a high-energy, high-quality (not necessarily high-brow) comedy sampler, Monster Island is just the ticket! The weirdos running this show are hell-bent on bringing the most random characters to the stage, and the Toronto comedy scene is all the better for it. Stage time for this show is in high demand, so whoever is on the lineup is sure to impress!
4. Amanda Xeller is a returning Sketchfest favourite who consistently BRINGS IT with full commitment and utter brilliance. If you haven’t seen her perform, you simply must. Hugely inspirational and completely unforgettable.

Robyn Slack

Robyn Slack is a writer, illustrator, comedian and musician from Edmonton, Alberta that Toronto Sketchfest die-hards might know as one half of musical comedy duo Success 5000. They’re thrilled to be performing in their fifth(??? lost count at some point during the pandemic) TOsketchfest this year at the Comedy Bar Cabaret Space.

His recommendations…

1. Cam Wyllie is the funniest man in sketch. I probably don’t have to tell you that, but if you’re somehow just hearing about him, it is my honour and privilege to quantifiably improve your life. His show directly overlaps with one of mine, but I’m such a huge Cam fan that I’m recommending him anyway.
2. If you’re going to see ONE ACT from Edmonton at this year’s festival, you’ve GOTTA see Sketchy Broads. They’re clever, raunchy, and hilarious. Each cast member is an incredible performer and comedian in her own right, and the fact that they got together and formed a supergroup is absurd and should maybe be illegal? They’re TOO funny. They MUST be stopped.
3. Finally, festivals like this are all about getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things. In that spirit: go look at the listing for One Butthole After Another. Take a moment to really appreciate that title, and the artistry with which Leonardo DiCaprio’s orifices have been Photoshopped into anuses in the accompanying image. I haven’t seen this show. I don’t know this performer. But I’m excited to go in with only this title and image and see what awaits me.

See you at TOsketchfest

Got all that?! That’s a full dancecard. And we can’t argue with these picks.

We hope you enjoyed the first installment of our TOsketchfest Insiders’ Guide. Stay tuned for Part Two, featuring tips from EVEN 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 post TSCF26 Insiders’ Guide – Part One appeared first on The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.

Show: Jon Blair’s A Comedy Show At The End Of The World
When: Friday, March 13, 8:00pm
Where: The Theatre Centre, Franco Boni Theatre
Runtime: 75 minutes
Best for: Fans of absurd humour, solo sketch comedy, and inventive theatrical storytelling
Tickets: HERE

Jon Blair is a Featured Act at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, and a foundational figure in Toronto’s solo sketch comedy scene. For nearly two decades, Jon has been a singular voice in Canadian comedy, known for sharp writing, inventive formats, and an ability to blend satire, music, and character work into fully realized shows. A two-time Best of the Fest winner at TOsketchfest, he has also written for This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Because News, and is currently a member of the Second City Touring Company.

He returns to TOsketchfest with A Comedy Show At The End Of The World, a sell-out hit from the 2025 Edmonton Fringe Festival. Set in a post-apocalyptic settlement where comedy is a questionable but beloved survival skill, the show combines sketch, music, and theatrical storytelling. Equal parts absurd and thoughtful, it’s a playful examination of what comedy is for when everything else has fallen apart, delivered by one of the most inventive solo performers working today.

“It’s very silly at some points and thoughtful at others, and it’s about trying to find the purpose of art in bad times.” – Jon Blair

We asked Jon Blair about his comedy, his process, and what audiences can expect from this show. Here’s what he had to say.

For readers meeting you for the first time: who are you, and how would you describe your comedy?

I’m Jon! I’ve been doing solo sketch comedy in Toronto for almost 15 years and I’ve worked with a lot of other groups like The Sketchersons, Sex T-Rex and currently the Second City Touring Company. My comedy is very absurd and character driven with a lot of big twists and reveals.

Tell us about the show you’re bringing to TOsketchfest. How did it come together?

A Comedy Show at the End of the World is a hybrid one-man play/sketch show about a former television comedian still trying to make his way as a traveling performer after comedy inexplicably failed to prevent the apocalypse. It’s very silly at some points and thoughtful at others and deals with trying to find the purpose of art in bad times. I’d been doing solo hours of pure sketch work at festivals for a number of years before I started experimenting with giving the sketches an overarching narrative structure in my previous revue Clip Show, and this one feels like the next step in that experiment, in turning a sketch show into a more theatrical-style play.

What can audiences expect when they come to see this show?

Much like real life, audiences can expect society to collapse into a lawless wasteland of scarcity and chaos. Except once that happens there are also sketches, songs, storytelling, contests, one-man fistfights and superintelligent raccoons.

What makes this show different from your past work, or from other sketch shows audiences might have seen?

It’s a play about a sketch show, which means it spends half its time being a sketch show and half its time telling the larger story of the world it takes place in, and the person still committed to a comedian’s life after civilization has ended. I started out just writing little bits in between the sketches to tie them together and then this whole other story started jumping out of it, so now it’s that!

Why is TOsketchfest a great fit for this show?

The show is about comedy – why we do it, what it can and can’t do for us in dark times, and why it survives from one disaster to the next – and I think a festival with so many people who have comedy on the brain and one that acts as such an incubator for it is a great place for that lil exploration to happen.

Who do you think will especially love this show?

People who like absurd humour, self-examining comedy and genre parody. Fans of Mad Max, Fallout, and early 60’s pop girl groups. Roving gangs of bandits and bards. People who are over-encumbered from picking up too much useful-looking junk off the road.

What excites you most about being a Featured Act at TOsketchfest this year?

When you take a show like this to a Fringe festival or something like that, a lot of what you’re doing is trying to pitch it to the world at large and hoping that it happens to be up their alley once they get there. Doing it at Sketchfest, I’ve already got a pretty good feeling that the people checking out that festival are going to like this sort of thing; it takes a lot of the pressure off and lets me just have fun with it!

If someone is on the fence, what would you say to convince them to buy a ticket?

(raises hands to chest level, palms turned upward) cmonnnn

Why This Is a Featured Show

Jon Blair was selected as a Featured Act because his work represents a rare combination of craft, originality, and deep roots in the sketch comedy community. A Comedy Show At The End Of The World is a confident, fully formed solo piece that stretches the boundaries of sketch without losing its accessibility or sense of fun. The programming committee was drawn to the show’s inventive framing, its tight writing, and Jon’s ability to seamlessly shift between character, commentary, and theatrical play.

This show also reflects Jon’s long-standing impact on the form. As a formative presence in Toronto’s solo sketch scene, he has consistently pushed what solo comedy can be, both on stage and online. Featuring A Comedy Show At The End Of The World at TOsketchfest highlights not only an outstanding new work, but an artist whose career exemplifies experimentation, longevity, and excellence in Canadian sketch comedy.

Don’t miss your chance to see one of TOsketchfest’s standout acts.

This featured show has limited seating and is expected to sell quickly.

The post Meet the Featured Acts: Jon Blair appeared first on The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.

The TOsketchfest Film Festival Premiere Screening takes place live, in-person on Wednesday, March 4th @ 9:00PM at The Theatre Centre. Walk the blue shag carpet and rub shoulders with the filmmakers.

And on Saturday, March 14th @ 4:00PM – 5:30PM, TOsketchfest Film Festival hosts a Special Screening Event, The Toronto Premiere of Web Series “Like Comment Subscribe” by Marley Kajan, Connor Ferris, Sabina Olivia Lambert.

SPECIAL SCREENING EVENT:

Like Comment Subscribe by Bonus Feature

Told exclusively via the screens and devices that consume them, “Like Comment Subscribe” follows BFFs Meaghan and Avery, two of Toronto’s hottest social media influencers. With a dedicated following of #Veaghans and #Gayveries at their fingertips, these privileged Zillennials are consumed by their obsession with fame, fortune, and followers, which begins to wreak havoc on their relationships in the real world. As they fight to keep posting selfies while their personal lives fall apart, these two outrageous internet personalities are forced to figure out, “who are you when you aren’t online?”

Like Comment Subscribe (LCS) was written and created by Toronto-based actors and writers Marley Kajan and Connor Ferris who began developing the series during the pandemic. An integral part of the project’s creative vision, director Sabina Olivia Lambert (CBC Gem’s & Other Concerns, Queen) joined the team very shortly after. With the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the first season of LCS was produced and has gone on to travel in a festival circuit first premiering in New York City at the Dances with Films Festival. LCS had its Canadian premiere at Montreal’s Festival Cours d’un Soir and the team is now excited to have found its hometown premiere with the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.

LCS boasts an incredible cast of Toronto comedy scene regulars like Paloma Nuñez (Baronness Von Sketch, Disney’s Peter Pan & Wendy), Rami Khan (Potato Potato, Netflix’s BET), Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll (Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, Ginny & Georgia), and Blair MacMillan (24 Double B, Super Dicks). Additionally, LCS is honoured to have the talents of Deborah Tennant (Schitt’s Creek, IT: Welcome to Derry), Yusuf Zine (What We Do in the Shadows, Doc), Taylor Love (Shelved, Soulfood), Matthew Thomas Rogers (Murdoch Mysteries) and Aaron Schwartz (My 90 Year-Old Roommate, King of Kensington).

Kajan, Ferris and Lambert are over the moon to watch the series with a Toronto audience for the first time. Following the Sketchfest premiere, episodes of Like Comment Subscribe will be launched to stream on YouTube for viewers far and wide. Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @lcsseries.

The Film Festival Lineup (alphabetically):

Creed by Bonus Feature

Bonus Feature is a sketch house team at The Pack Theater in Los Angeles, California that performs regularly sold out shows every month. When they aren’t writing and rehearsing for their home theater shows, they are participating in comedy variety shows all around LA. Members of Bonus Feature include Aleks Arcabascio, Dan Burger, Nia Ceasar, Diana Francis, Christine Lawless, Christopher Nakao, Lindsay Nuckel, Michael Shacket, Zach Stamps, Rebekah Swann, Monty Williams, and Gerald Yelverton.

IG: @BonusFeatureComedy
TT: @BonusFeatureComedy
YT: @bonusfeaturecomedy
https://linktr.ee/bonusfeaturecomedy

Crimes of Passion by Sammy & Ben Lewis

A lonely cop stumbles into an unexpected bloom of connection, discovering love where he least expected.

Samuel Lewis is a writer, director, and actor who makes funny things feel uncomfortable and uncomfortable things funny. He works across sketch comedy, short films, and music videos.

Ben Lewis is an Ottawa-based director/actor. He works construction and has two kids.

IG: @sammyjscorpion

Group Pic by Pete Cheema & Smashed Potato Kids

That guy who can’t get in the group pic.

Pete Cheema is a sketch comic/musician who pulls influence from artists such as Key & Peele, Bo Burnham, and Almost Friday. He’s a part of the Smashed Potato Kids, a sketch comedy and content creative group from Vancouver, Canada.

IG: @pcheems
TT: @pcheems
YT: @SmashedPotatoKids

Haunted TikTok by The Absurdists (Chris Wilson & Adam Christie)

Chris and Adam stumble across a haunted TikTok. The Girl is getting roasted in the comment section.

Chris Wilson and Adam Christie are Toronto’s greatest sketch video duo — having produced as many as four sketches together that have amassed millions of views across platforms.

IG: @imchriswilson @adamchristiecomedian
TT: @imchriswilson

Headlights Written by Céline Tshika

HEADLIGHTS is a musical sketch about car culture at present. What starts as a complaint about the brightness of modern LED headlights on cars turns into a high-energy satirical car ad for the future that tech bros envision.

Céline Tshika is a Congolese-South African actor, screenwriter and stand-up comedian whose pivot into musical comedy became a viral phenomenon online. Her sketch ‘Capitalism’ got the attention of AJ+ with whom she is now working on a show from the Global South perspective. Her songs are produced by idol-turned-friend Mikhaela Faye, an accomplished musician based in Cape Town. On the video side, she’s worked with Director of Photography Meekaaeel Adam on these sketches, whose directorial debut ‘The Trek’ will premiere at Johannesburg Film Fest in 2026 and be released on Amazon Prime. With ‘Headlights,’ she at long last got to work with industry-friend and brother-in-arms Evan Wigdorowitz.

Director: Evan Wigdorowitz is a multidimensional South African filmmaker. He works across forms, from narrative to commercial and experimental projects. Drawing from a fine art background, he brings a hands-on, research-driven, and reflective approach to the medium. His work has screened at several international festivals, including a world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and as the centrepiece screening at the NYAIFF at Lincoln Centre.

https://www.celinetshika.com
IG: @celinetshika
TT: @celinetshika
FB: @celine.tshika
YT: @celinetshika

I Was a Bear by Nathaniel Sutton

Is Nathaniel Sutton a bear or a man? or a man bear? You decide. A short film by Nathaniel Sutton.

Nathaniel Sutton is a multi-instrumentalist with a flair for musical drama, always inspired by the depth of film music. In 2006, he attended post-secondary education and achieved a diploma in Audio Production, which lead him to compose the soundtracks for several independent films.

https://www.nathanielsutton.com
IG: @nathanielsuttonmusic
X: @nathanielsutton
FB: @nathanielsuttonmusic
YT: @nathanielsuttonmusic

I’m Here! by Becky Swannick, Maddy Foley, Liv Collict & Blair MacMillan

“Cleo” longs for a best friendship, like the one in her favourite tv show, ‘My Best Friend Toast’. With a sudden knock at the door, her wish comes true! Or so she thinks…
Fully written and created by 4 women within 3 weeks for the Toronto ‘Firecracker Dept’ challenge.

Hailing from Birmingham, UK, Becky is an acclaimed Queer Filmmaker, Film Editor and Multidisciplinary Artist currently residing in Toronto, Canada. She is a graduate of The Northern Film School, Leeds UK earning a BA with Honours in Film and Moving Image Production (2014). She has been working full time within Post-Production for over 5 years and has been independently Filmmaking for over 10 years, and recently became a 2025 Canadian Screen Award Nominee for Best Picture Editing on a digital series, with her other work screening on Canadian networks such as CBC and Bell Fibe as well as doing multiple Film Fest Circuits around the world.

Maddy Foley is an actor and writer with a deep passion for storytelling. After earning her B.Sc from the University of Toronto, she followed her creative instincts by studying Screenwriting at UCLA and Creative Writing at U of T. In 2019, she completed the Second City Conservatory program in Toronto, where she was nominated for the Tim Sims Award for sketch comedy. Maddy began her career appearing in web series such as Step Sisters and Allie and Lara Make a Horror Movie. She starred in the 2021 CBC Short Film Finalist Meg Writes a Reference Letter, and in 2024, she was nominated for Best Actress at the Toronto 48 Hr Film Festival. As an actor, Maddy has appeared in a range of projects, including Deaner ’89, CBC’s One More Time, The Boys, What We Do in the Shadows, Heartland, and Murdoch Mysteries. She currently stars as the titular character in Everybody’s Meg, a Bell Fibe TV1 series, which has been renewed for a second season.

IG: @beckyswannick @maddy_foleyfoley @livcollict @chandeblair

In My Head: Diva Cup by Noor Kaur Dhanda, Jono Hunter, Hools Kay, Margaret Rose, Adeel Shamsi

In My Head is a sketch comedy series that reveals the unfiltered inner monologues behind everyday life. Each standalone episode follows a different person experiencing an ordinary moment while their internal narrator spirals, overreacts, and tells the truth they would never say out loud. The stakes seem small, but inside our heads everything feels monumental. Blending sharp humour with painfully relatable honesty, the series turns silent overthinking into shared comedy and highlights the private melodrama beneath polite social behaviour. It proves our most dramatic, ridiculous, and revealing conversations are the ones happening quietly within us.

Noor Kaur Dhanda is a Punjabi-Canadian writer, performer, and producer whose work is shaped by perspective, identity, and a love of sharp, character driven comedy. She is drawn to the small, revealing moments people try to hide, where emotional honesty and humour meet in ways that feel both deeply personal and widely recognizable.

Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a natural ability to bridge the creative and business sides of the industry. Noor’s most recent achievements include being selected for the Netflix Diversity of Voices program at the Banff World Media Festival with In My Head, where she spent a week presenting the series to broadcasters, streamers, and production partners. She is now a producer on Season 2 of The Squeaky Wheel Canada, a first of its kind comedy sketch series, working across story, production, and creative development. These experiences have strengthened her ability to build comedy that is both creatively distinctive and ready for production, with a career path intentionally rooted in collaboration and collective strength.
Collaboration is central to Noor’s creative process. This project was built as a true collective, designed to showcase multiple comedic perspectives rather than a single point of view. The team includes Jono Hunter, a multidisciplinary filmmaker with a sharp visual eye and a reputation for elevating every project he touches; Hools Kay, a standout writer, comedian, and performer with her own series currently in development; Adeel Shamsi, a bold, visually dynamic director known for his stylish, high impact work; and Margaret Rose, a powerhouse performer, writer, and comedian with commanding presence and razor sharp instincts. The episode came together with rare creative ease, reflecting the strength of the ensemble.

Noor is currently building the series as a bold new platform for Canadian comedic talent, creating space for original voices to be seen, supported, and celebrated at scale.

IG: @inmyhead.comedy and @noordhanda

Kendie Karmen – Ecocyde Official Music Video by Hot Globe (dir. Jono Hunter)

A 3D animated scene. Kendie Karmen sits upon a branch vaping with a squirrel.

Hot Globe is a small team of funny artists whose focus is on the unfunny reality of climate change.

www.hotglobe.ca
IG: @hotglobeca
TT: @hotglobeca
YT: @HotGlobe

Math Horse by Septar

A history documentary about the life and accomplishments of Math Horse, the horse who could solve math problems.

Math Horse is a sketch made by Septar, a Philadelphia-based sketch comedy group formed in 2023. Septar produces multiple live shows per year with a mix of live and filmed sketches and has been selected for sketch festivals in San Francisco, NYC, Portland Maine, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Denver, where their sketch Math Horse won the Best Video Sketch award.

Math Horse is written, directed, and edited by Russ Bizaro with additional creative input from Septar and stars Lou Huang, Maureen McQuilkin, and Kyle Kerezsi.

IG: @septar_sketch
FB: @Septar-Sketch-Comedy-61556564671262
YT: @SeptarSketch

Monster Trucks by Tommy Marshall, Rhys Naylor

A couple’s anniversary dinner raises more questions than answers when their food is delayed. A lot more questions.

Tommy Marshall is a comedy director who delights in the sincere and the absurd. He believes wholeheartedly in the marriage between deeply silly comedy and genuinely cinematic visual language. He is currently developing an adaptation of that vine where that kid gets scared and goes “jesus christ” for Quibi (he’s also trying to bring Quibi back but that’s a whole other thing).

“Rhys Naylor is a Canadian actor, comedian, and writer. He is a current member of Second City Toronto’s National Touring Company and an alum of the Bad Dog Theatre Featured Players. A 2025 finalist in the World’s Biggest Improv Tournament, he has performed across Canada with his troupe, Little Miss Normal.”

IG: @prestige.television @rhysnaylor @littlemissnormal_improv

Neck Pillow by Brother Mouth & Craig Melville

Billy’s 14 hour flight takes a tragic turn when he discovers he’s forgotten to pack his beloved neck pillow.

Brother Mouth is a creative collective producing original, humor-driven content.

Inspired by the French house scene of the 90s, Brother Mouth was formed by two brothers to use music and content as a vehicle to comment on popular culture. They’re famous for only revealing their mouths while wearing their signature ‘Mouth-Clavas’.

They live by the motto; ‘TU AS UNE BOUCHE. UTILISE LA’. (which loosely translates to, ‘you have a mouth, use it.’

They have been referred to by some as the new-age French Milli Vanilli. Others like to think of them as the next Daft Punk but with far less talent and Grammys.

Craig Melville directed ‘Neck Pillow’, continuing their collaboration with Brother Mouth after the debut music video ‘Douche Canoe.’ Craig’s award-winning work spans music videos, television, and advertising.

https://www.brothermouth.com
IG: @brothermouthofficial
TT: @brothermouth
X: @BrotherMouthOG
FB: @brothermouthofficial
YT: @BrotherMouth

NO WORRIES IF NOT by Céline Tshika

‘No worries if not’ is a musical sketch about a recovering people-pleaser trying to enter her ‘villain era’ by setting gentle boundaries.

Céline Tshika is a DRC-born, South Africa-raised actor, comedian, and filmmaker based in Cape Town. After an Engineering “degree for the parents,” she studied Acting for Film in Los Angeles and began her comedy career. Known for her satirical sketches Stank Like a Man and the acclaimed mockumentary The Wapidemic, she transitioned to the stage in 2021, becoming a 2023 Jive Funny Championship finalist and winner of the 2025 Savanna Comic’s Choice ‘Innovative Comedy Performance of the Year.’

Branching out online into musical comedy sketches, her viral creations seamlessly translated to parody songs onstage, showcasing her distinctive comedic voice. Fully embracing her roots as a musical theatre kid, she continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of talent in satire, music, and storytelling. She has no plans to return to Engineering, but thanks for asking.

https://www.celinetshika.com
IG: @celinetshika
TT: @@celinetshika
FB: @celine.tshika
YT: @celinetshika

Six Pack by Peter N’ Chris

Peter and Chris sit on a beach contemplating the realities of recycling. They conclude it doesn’t work and immediately face the consequences.

Peter Carlone and Chris Wilson have toured extensively as comedy duo Peter N’ Chris — performing at several Just For Laughs Festivals as well as winning 5 Canadian Comedy Awards. Chris Wilson is also a cast member of CBC’s This Hour Has 22 Minutes

IG: @peterchrisshow
TT: @imchriswilson
YT: @imchriswilson

Shorts on Stage by Mark Corless

A manager sells out a comedy show, then tries to force the headliner into wearing shorts at the last minute.

Mark Corless is a writer, director and cinematographer based out of Toronto, Canada. He has been involved in comedy since a young age and continues to work as a cameraman in TV and direct comedy shorts.

Conrad Osei is an independent filmmaker living and working in Toronto.

www.videocanale.com
IG: @kalakaboo

The Magnificent Gyno by The Red Hot Sili Peppers

A woman gets her first pap smear and her doctor practices a new hobby.

The creative team is made up of award-winning sketch troupe, The Red Hot Sili Peppers (Emily Callahan, Julia Ettlinger, Glenna Walters), and award-winning director, Adeel Shamsi. Everyone met in an improv class at The Second City in Toronto. While their creative and comedic pursuits have pulled them in many directions, they were very excited to reunite for this project.

The Magnificent Gyno is based on a live sketch, originally written and performed by The Red Hot Sili Peppers, and has come a long way since its first appearance as a 30 second blackout sketch. The creators leveraged the premise-prov brain The Second City taught them way back when to develop it into a 6-and-a-half minute short.

Glenna Walters is an accomplished Canadian actor who is known for roles in: Anne With An E (Netflix/CBC), Baroness Von Sketch (CBC), and Law & Order TO: Criminal Intent (City TV).

Julia Ettlinger is a multi-passionate creative known for playing Brooke in Prime Video’s queer holiday film Last Ex-Mas. She is based in Los Angeles.

Emily Callahan is a communications professional and comedian. She performs standup, improv, and sketch across Toronto – and other major cities.

Adeel Shamsi is a Toronto-based writer/director whose passion for storytelling led him from music videos to major brand campaigns, short films, documentaries, and a 2025 Super Bowl commercial.

IG: @redhotsilipepperss
TT: @redhotsilipepperss

The Man With The Future Camera by I Majored in Film Productions – Nicholas Porteous, Bryan Nothling, Francis Melling, Antony Hall, Hayden Finkelshtain, Joel Bazin

A camera with the power to glimpse anyone’s future falls into the hands of a small business owner working out of his condo. He’s got spoilers for your life. And he’s about to get his first repeat customer.

Nicholas Porteous is an actor and filmmaker. He voices Tino (the dinosaur airplane) as well as countless dads on Super Wings, which is a huge deal if you’re 7 years old. He does a bunch of other stuff too. Check out nicholasporteous.com for more.

Bryan Nothling is a performer, content creator, writer and musician. You can mostly find him on the internet singing food-based musical comedy songs and reviewing chocolate.

Francis Melling is an actor, director, and musician. He can be seen in Murdoch Mysteries, What We Do in the Shadows, Man Seeking Woman, Wexford Plaza, or bed-rotting in his Parkdale apartment.

http://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/nospoilersthepodcast

IG: @picolas

The Will by Seb Decter

The Will is the story of two young men who attend the will reading of their late, Youtube famous brother. Writer-Director Seb Decter wanted to write a sketch that could be shot in one location on one day, with a handful of friends. He wanted a short with a strong but simple premise, something that he might have seen on CollegeHumor when he was a teen.

My name is Seb Decter, I’m a writer and filmmaker from Toronto. I recently wrote and directed a short documentary about my Grandmother: “Abuela’s Life Story” for the CBC Creator Network. I wrote and directed The Will, which was shot and edited by my friend Aidan Barnes. Aidan is a filmmaker and music video director who frequently works with artists like 9Million and Webb.

The Will stars Toronto stand-up and actor Michael Kolberg, who recently appeared in “Matt and Mara” alongside Matt Johnson. Acting opposite Mikey is acclaimed filmmaker Ben Roberts (“Spider’s Web”). I love Ben’s films, and I liked putting him in my dumb sketch because it reminded me of when John Cassavetes was in “The Dirty Dozen.” Rounding out the cast is my elementary school pal Sam Gundy, who’s talent and enthusiasm has made him a mainstay of the Toronto short film scene.

https://lnk.bio/sebsdvds
IG: @Sebsdvds

There May Have Been A Mistake by Alex Kolanko

A man wakes up trapped in a basement with only a video tape and a hammer. Can he escape?

Alex Kolanko is a writer and comedian from Toronto, who is a staple in the Toronto Sketch and Improv community. He was a member of The Sketchersons and the multimedia comedy group Public Works. Alex is a regular on The Bad Dog Theatre stage, and has created shows such as The Disaster and Super Hot Date Night. Alex has written the hit KidsFest play Gremlin Hour, which debuted at The Toronto Fringe Festival. He created the long running alt-comedy show The Disaster and the fan favourite character show Monster Island. Most recently, he wrote and directed mockumentary Let’s Gentrify Hamilton for Bell Fibe TV1.

IG: @just-a-turd
TT: @just-a-turd
X: @alexkolanko

Tunnel of Fear by Brandon Hicks

A short animated film in which a couple enter a haunted house at an amusement park, only to find that it is currently under construction…or is it?

Brandon Hicks is the Canadian Chair of the National Cartoonist Society, and his work has appeared in several publications, including MAD, Fangoria, National Lampoon, Studio and the [EDIT], where he serves as Comics Editor. His plays and short films have won international awards, and he is the author/illustrator of several books—most recently, “On The Border” from Conundrum Press.

IG: @brandonhickscomics
YT: @bmaniscool1

Xegetude by Becky Swannick & Little Miss Normal

Just talk to your doctor.

Becky Swannick is a Filmmaker and Film Editor from Birmingham, UK livin’ in Toronto. After attending The Northern Film School in Leeds, she spent 8 years training and performing in live sketch and improvised comedy before merging her two passions together, yum! The cast consists of members of Toronto’s improv supergroup Little Miss Normal, which includes past and present Second City Mainstage and Tour Co performers, alumni of Bad Dog’s Featured Players program, and TV stars and writers for shows like This Hour Has 22 Minutes, What We Do In the Shadows, and For Heaven’s Sake. One Little Miss Normal performer is the Writer/Producer of Xegetude, Griffin Toplitsky, who has previously won Best Animated Short at Toronto Sketchfest Film Festival, though it’s going to be a lot harder for him to repeat that with this particular one.

https://beckyswannick.com/
IG: @beckyswannick @littlemissnormal_improv
TT: @beckyswannick
YT: @beckyswannick

The post The 2026 Film Festival Round-Up appeared first on The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.