The Firecracker Department with Naomi Snieckus

Some conversations feel like a creative reset button — and this is one of them. This week, Naomi Snieckus (@snieckus) sits down with Christel Bartelse (@cbartelse): comedian, powerhouse, and one of the beloved producers behind our Toronto Firecracker Comedy Café. Month after month, Christel shows up to champion the boldest, funniest female and non-binary voices in the comedy community — and in thi...

We love this woman. Ava Val (@avavalcomedy) is an established and beloved force in Canada's comedy scene — a performer the press calls "unapologetic," and we'd call a positive powerhouse. You've seen her light up Roast Battle Canada , Dating Unlocked , Second Act Actors , and Canada's Got Talent , bringing her sharp wit and fearless honesty to every stage she touches. In this conversation with Nao...

This week on the Firecracker Department Podcast, I sit down with the amazing Tricia Black, actor, writer, musician, improviser, and one of the most fearless and delightful performers I know. You've seen her in Band Ladies, Pretty Hard Cases, Kim's Convenience, TallBoyz, Workin' Moms, What We Do in the Shadows, Marry F Kill, Wayward, and Small Achievable Goals — and every time she shows up on scree...

This week on the Firecracker Department Podcast, I sit down with someone who I've known for a long time — my friend Rebecca Northan. This conversation was a long-overdue catch-up between two Second City alums who've shared stages, dressing rooms, hotel rooms, ideas, and deodorant. Rebecca's career is extraordinary: Blind Date (creator/star), This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and so many more IMDb credits...

In this episode, Naomi sits down with Hila Di Castro—actress, international improviser, and teacher—to geek out about their shared love of improv. Hila opens up about how she got started, her deep commitment to teaching, and her passion for supporting women in the improv community. Recorded in the lunch room of Berlin's legendary Ratibor Theatre during Impro-Fest 2025, this conversation captures t...

We're thrilled to welcome the one and only Ellie Harvie to the Firecracker Department Podcast! You know her from her unforgettable roles as Morticia Addams in The New Addams Family, Dr. Lindsey Novak in Stargate SG-1 and Candace Wheeler in Some Assembly Required. With an incredible career that spans comedy, drama, voice work, and everything in between, Ellie brings brilliance, intelligence, humour...

This week, Naomi welcomes the incredible Tracey Erin Smith - theatre creator, TV host, and master storyteller extraordinaire! From her award-winning solo shows in NYC to founding SOULO Theatre (with workshops spanning from Toronto to Tel Aviv), Tracey has spent her career proving that our personal stories have the power to transform lives. Now, she's bringing that magic to television as the creato...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Karen Robinson, an award-winning Canadian actor whose remarkable career spans stage, film, and television. Best known for her roles in  Schitt's Creek , Narc , Lars and the Real Girl , Star Trek: Discovery , Pretty Hard Cases , and Law & Order , Karen brings depth and authenticity to every performance. As a Canadian Screen Award winner and member of the S...

This week on the podcast, host   Naomi Snieckus   is joined by powerhouse director Cazhhmere Downey . From her recent work on   Law & Order   to working with live bisons on   Heartland , Cazhhmere approaches everything with curiosity and a deep artistic commitment. She dives into what it means to stay innovative in an ever-changing industry, and how she keeps her artistic voice at the center of ev...

This week, Naomi Snieckus sits down with the incomparable Diana Frances—writer, performer, comedian, and creative dynamo—for an unforgettable conversation that dives deep into life, art, and everything in between. Diana shares her experiences growing up as an adopted kid and the emotional journey of giving her son up for adoption, and how she brings her story into her work.. She opens up about wha...

We hit the stage at Toronto Sketchfest with the one and only Julie Nolke, and the energy was off the charts! In front of a packed crowd of Nolke-fans, we dived deep into building your own career and the incredible power that comes with owning your path in comedy and content creation. We also explored the fast pace of maintaining an online presence and—step by step—how to start and grow a successfu...

This week on the Firecracker Podcast, Naomi sits down with the wildly talented Ali J. Eisner — award-winning puppeteer, writer, director, and musician. Their incredible credits include  Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock ,  Supernatural Academy ,  Lido Tv ,  The Sunny Side Up Show , Nanalan', Mr. Meaty, The Lets Go Show, CBC Kids, TVO Kids & a variety of music videos for Canadian musicians they direct...

Firecracker Department Podcast: Kathy Greenwood In this episode, we welcome the phenomenal Kathy Greenwood—improviser, actor, and comedy trailblazer! As the first woman to receive the Canadian Comedy Award for Funniest Female Improviser, Kathy has been paving the way for women in comedy for decades. We dive into the importance of standing your ground on stage in improv, making bold choices, and tr...

Comedy icon   Elvira Kurt   joins us for a powerhouse conversation about aging in comedy, staying relevant, and the fearless boldness that has defined her career. She's   blazed the trail for so many comedians, proving that having something to say on stage only gets stronger with time. We talk about the courage it takes to keep pushing boundaries and why we are   far   from done—no matter our age!...

In this episode, we sit down with powerhouse director Aleysa Young , whose work has shaped some of the best comedy on TV. We dive into her journey as a director, the career-changing moment when she interviewed for Baroness von Sketch Show , and how she's built a reputation for creating safe, playful, and dynamic sets where comedy can truly ignite. Aleysa shares insights on her process, the challen...

This week, we sit down with the powerhouse that is Rosa Laborde—award-winning playwright, screenwriter, director, and actor—whose work spans theatre, film, and television. We dive into the creative process, the magic (and challenges!) of collaborating with friends, and the drive to make things happen . But what happens when burnout hits? Rosa shares her experiences with creative burn out, how to r...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with the multi-talented Ashleigh Rains!  Naomi and Ashleigh dive deep into her fascinating journey from classical ballet training at Canada's National Ballet School to her current success as an actress and award-winning producer. You'll hear all about her creative philosophy, how she balances multiple artistic pursuits, and the story behind founding C'mon Mort...

Meet the dynamic Liesl Lafferty, a Jessie award-winning director whose journey from scriptwriter to industry leader embodies creative perseverance. As Head of Firecracker Writing Department, Liesl has transformed countless storytelling dreams into reality. Her latest ventures showcase her innovative spirit – from co-creating The Writers Lab Canada to producing the Comedy Film Igniter and the Bell...

Don't miss this heartfelt conversation between our host Naomi Snieckus and Jen Pogue 💫 Jen reveals the challenges and triumphs of her creative journey - from winning a CSA for County Blooms to navigating her cancer diagnosis. Through it all, her resilience, passion, and commitment to community shine through. This insightful discussion touches on finding your own path, the power of collaboration,...

This week on the Firecracker Department podcast, host Naomi Snieckus teams up with the fabulous Jody Quine from our Vancouver chapter to chat with the incredible Veena Sood! From feeling a sudden calling at the age of 14, to her early days of Theatre Sports with Keith Johnstone, to her starring role in Children Ruin Everything for CTV, Veena shares inspiring stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and...

Naomi sits down with the powerhouse duo behind The Writers Lab  - Nitza and Elizabeth! We dive into their incredible journey of building a space that empowers underrepresented voices in screenwriting. From that first letter to Meryl Streep to the creative chaos of launching a groundbreaking initiative, their story is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose.  They share the personal sacrifices re...

Actress and screenwriter Nia Vardalos has received advice and opportunities from some truly unexpected sources. While working the box office at Toronto's Second City, she tells Naomi how she fell in love with improv, deepened her passion for acting, and prepared herself for a breakthrough moment—stepping onto the stage when another actor fell ill. That pivotal experience set her on a path to Chica...

Janet McMordie is living the ultimate double life: she's a practicing doctor and an actor, juggling two incredibly demanding careers with an impressive amount of energy and humor. She also hosts the Second Act Actors p odcast , where she chats with fellow actors hustling to catch up to the pros who seem light-years ahead in the industry. In her conversation with Naomi, Janet opens up about her cho...

Winnie Jong (Law & Order Toronto, Jane) may now be recognized as a director, but her journey started behind the scenes as a script supervisor. Growing up across the street from a movie theatre, she fell in love with cinema, watching Federico Fellini films and dreaming of directing her own someday. In her chat with Naomi, Winnie recalls how she initially saw script supervising as a detour but soon...

Jennifer Liao's journey from actor to writer and director is fueled by her passion for storytelling. Growing up dreaming of being a sitcom writer, she credits her love of Shakespeare and poetry for teaching her how to dig into text and find its layers. She shares with Naomi how her experience as an actor shaped the way she approaches directing, helping her connect with performers and bring out the...