Canadianish Comedians!

Taylor Swift's long-lost twin Brett MacNeil is a fabulous Toronto-based stand-up comedian hailing from the small town of Sydney, Nova Scotia. He recently completed his Master of Business Administration at the University of Fredericton, where he and his teammates dedicated their final graduation project to designing an app meant to help make the Toronto stand-up comedy scene a little more inclusive...

Precious Chong is an award winning actress, writer and comedian living in Toronto.  Her most recent credits include 'Murdoch Mysteries', Syfy's 'Chucky' and CBC Gem's 'Homeschooled'.  Other film and television credits include USA Network's, "Falling Water" as well as the Hallmark Christmas movie "Love You Like Christmas" and "Northern Lights of Christmas".   Her web sketch series "Sex and the Sing...

Kyle Brownrigg is an undeniable presence in Canadian comedy.    In 2019 he was a finalist in SiriusXM's Top Comic Competition, one of JFL42's New Faces, was selected for the prestigious Just for Laughs Homegrown show, and as a result he was awarded the Canadian Comedy Award for Best Breakout Artist. In May 2022 Brownrigg released his debut Just for Laughs comedy special 'Introducing Lyle ' on Crav...

Janelle Niles is a Black - Mi'kmaq woman from Sipekne'katik, Nova Scotia.  Janelle's comedy career began in Ottawa, Ontario and soon to follow with her indigenous comedy show called Got Land? which expresses solidarity through humour.  Janelle had the opportunity to perform on Just For Laughs, JFL42, Toronto in 2022 with Got Land? You can watch Janelle on CBC Gem's New Wave Of Stand-up Season 2 (C...

  Keesha Brownie is an energetic, multi-faceted performer. She crafts her comedic recipe with a background in theatre, sketch, and music. Making observations about her Jamaican roots and Canadian upbringing, she punctuates punchlines with act-outs, parody songs, and sometimes even backup dancers.  Behind that dynamic stage presence lies a fierce work ethic and an entrepreneurial mind. Brownie is a...

We caught up with Mickey at their home in Toronto.  Their bio reads as follows:  The human equivalent of a golden retriever, Mickey Dykeman is a high energy, punch  up comic.  Through personal storytelling and silly word play Mickey's stand up covers topics such as relationships, religion and the Queer experience. They also do freelance script and screenplay writing, primarily comedy. They are a r...

Kelly Zemnickis got her start in comedy at 17, cleaning toilets at a local Toronto comedy club. She eventually worked her way up to running the technical side of  things, but it was only at the age of 37 when she took the mic for the very first time. In the 6 years since her first set, Kelly has shared the stage with comedians such as Kevin Farley and has been featured at the Burbank Comedy Festiv...

Stephanie Herrera is an Honours Graduate of the York University Theatre Playwright program and is currently a Writer's Guild of Canada member, and award winner, writing for TV and Film, as well as for Kids Animation.  Stephanie has written, directed, produced and performed in over 10 original dinner theatre shows that have toured Ontario. Her slate of work also contains dozens of sketch and comedy...

Jane Luk is an actor, improvisor, and writer. Jane's favourite stage credits include years of Improv shows at Bad Dog Theatre, Second City, The Social Capital as well as many stages across Canada. Jane will also be joining the cast of Les Belles Soeurs in Stratford, August 2023,  playing Gabrielle Jodoin (one of the sisters). Selected film and TV appearances include Handmaid's Tale, Murdoch Myster...

Joanne has worked in the live Canadian arts scene for over 20 years, across many genres, including performing stand-up from Vancouver to Toronto.   She has written and performed in three solo shows and her third, She Grew Funny, premiered  to sold-out audiences at the Toronto Fringe Festival, where it was the Factory Theatre Studio  Patron's Pick and one of Now Magazine's Outstanding New Plays.  A...

Jackie Hoffart is a short film maker, comedy producer & host, comedian, and writer who lives on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples, also known as Vancouver.  Jackie served twice as a JUDGE for the JUNO Comedy Album of the Year category.  They created a Telus STORYHIVE-funded docu-series called "YVR Funny" featuring 8 Vancouver comedians performing standup...

Celeste Lampa hails from Edmonton, AB and has become a favourite in Western Canada's comedy scene.  Her material stems from being a first generation Filipino-Canadian, a mom, a wife; and being tired.  Her talent has led her to work with some of today's best comics.  She has performed all across Canada and the United States, and has been featured at the SheDot Comedy Festival in Toronto and The Gri...

Steph Haller is a Toronto based actor and improvisor. She is a graduate of the Second City Sketch Conservatory and has studied extensively with Bad Dog Comedy Theatre and The Assembly. In 2022, Steph completed a 30 show tour of her 50-minute improv show "Too Much Information Improvised" with her improv partner (and ex-lover) Paddy. Steph loves big feelings, tarot cards and reminiscing (so we asked...

Born and raised in Brampton, Zabrina Douglas is a comedian that draws from her experience as a Nurse, a mother, and the daughter of 2 Jamaican parents. "She's one of the most exuberant and cheerful stand-ups working in the city. She can turn a whole show around by kicking up the energy in the room." Steve Fisher --Torontoist.com.   Zabrina has been a regular and headlined Kenny Robinson's legendar...

We spoke with the delightfully funny Chandra Pepper! Chandra is an accomplished actress, writer, director, and teacher of theatre & meditation. She is passionate about living in a world full of connection and respect and theatre is the gateway drug to all that fun stuff! She has an imaginary friend named Fred and her letters to him are soon to be a book. We talked to her about life, comedy, and Fr...

Lisa Merchant is a highly sought-after improvisation instructor/facilitator/performer. She has been studying, performing and teaching the art of improvisation for 35 years. Currently a professor at Humber College in the Faculty of Media & Creative Arts - teaching Improvisation for the Comedy Program. Lisa is faculty at SoCap Theatre in Toronto and a 29 year Senior Faculty member at The Second City...

Since coming out as transgender, Al Val has enjoyed nothing short of a meteoric rise in the Canadian comedy scene.    Val has made multiple appearances at the  Halifax Comedy Festival,  the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival, in Vancouver and Toronto,  and has taped stand-up sets for CBC Gem, Crave TV, CTV, and "JFL Originals". Al Val is in season three of a show called "Drag Heals", in which sh...

Angela Maiorano-Thurston was born into a loud Italian family. Since birth she knew she had a voice that needed to be heard. Yes, her voice is a little unusual and squeaky at times, but you always know its Angela's distinctive trademark. While studying Improv at the famous Second City in Toronto during the 90's she made quite an impact, and it started the beginning of her Comedy career. Angela has...

Cathy Gatlin is the improv instructor for Improv4Health .    Over the last 22 years she has taken classes at Second City, Bad Dog Theatre (formerly Theatresports) and most recently at the Kate Ashby Academy.  She was also in the improv troupe "Born a Swirly" performing throughout the city of Toronto.    Her passion is building community , as well as strengthening confidence in kids and adults. ​ S...

Crystal Ferrier has performed all over the world from Canada, to NewYork, to India. The only Indian woman to headline Kenny Robinson's Nubian Disciples of Pryor, an addition to Kevin Hart's LOL network, and a part of Roast Battle Canada Season 2, she is one to watch out for. By day, this SuperWoman is a Behavioural Therapist. By night, she is an actress, comedian, writer and producer. Also a mothe...

Jessie Olsen is a loud and bold Toronto stand-up comedian who hosts comedy shows all over the City. Living her best life - sexually, physically, emotionally, and mentally -  Jessie is empowering other women to do the same.  She's passionate about living authentically as a curvy body-positive, sex-positive, feminist babe. She feels the world would be a better place if more women embraced pleasure a...

Jan's career has been interesting and varied. She is a multiple Canadian Comedy Award winner and has performed across North America in a variety of comedy shows. A mainstay of many Toronto stages, Jan co-wrote and performed in the Second City Toronto's critically and audience acclaimed revues The Meme-ing of Life and We Can Be Heroes (named one of NOW Magazines Top Ten Shows of 2013) .    Jan was...

We had technical difficulties right out of the gate, including Laura blatantly NOT listening and being distracted. This has been a problem of hers since grade 1 🙄 We spoke to the absolutely lovely Meagan McConnell (that's 2 C's 2 N's 2 L's and don't you forget it!) as she takes us through her comedic journey through life.