Five nights only!
The Theatre Centre presents its annual Comedy is Art. Festival, with five nights of comedy, music and more from Tuesday, October 22 to Saturday, October 26, 2024.
This year’s programming includes shows at 7:30 PM ET and 9:30 PM ET. Here’s what you can expect from the performances in these time slots:
- 7:30 PM ET shows (first things first): Hilarious shows that respect your bedtime. With something for everybody, these carefully curated early evening performances are the chef’s kiss of comedy. Come ready to laugh as the city’s best and brightest comics light up the stage – without compromising your sleep schedule.
- 9:30 PM ET shows (late-night snack packs): Designed to give you a little taste of everything, the late-night snack packs are a delightfully chaotic selection of comedic offerings guaranteed to amuse your bouche.
Festival curator & Theatre Centre Associate Artistic Director liza paul observes, “We are now five years into creating space for comedy, and while the declaration that comedy is art remains top of mind, the ‘how’ continues to evolve. This year we have put even more emphasis on programming artists who take unconventional approaches, who work hard, who aim high, who are thoughtful about the material they deliver, who polish the writing and rehearse the bits and, most importantly, don’t punch down. It’s all about handling everything with care. It’s no joke making people laugh – but when those jokes land, it is magic for everyone in the room. We make it clear that we expect artists to bring their very best to the table, and audiences who love to laugh know that they can trust this festival to deliver.”
“It’s no joke making people laugh – but when those jokes land, it is magic for everyone in the room.”
– liza paul, Festival Curator & Theatre Centre Associate Artistic Director
This year’s festival features nine shows and 50+ comics from all over, including Andrew Phung; Hannan Younis and Rakhee Morzaria; Brandon Hackett and Jonathan Langdon; Bougie B Bougé, Daphney Joseph and Darren Leo, Clif Knight; and Small Friend, Tall Friend, plus the multi-Dora Award-nominated show Holiday! An Improvised Musical from Bad Dog Theatre Company.
These five nights of can’t miss comedy are curated by liza paul (comedian, storyteller and Theatre Centre Associate Artistic Director), with programming support from Tim Blair (TallBoyz) and Ellie Posadas (Tita Collective) to feature some of the best comedians in the game from across Toronto and beyond. This year’s Festival is part of The Theatre Centre’s year-long 10 for 10 celebration: 10 unique offerings to mark 10 years in its forever home on 1115 Queen Street West. New this year, programming will also include free industry panels and an improv class, details to come.
The Theatre Centre Café/Bar will stay open late all throughout the Festival, serving Lost Craft drinks and specialty cocktails. A select menu of delicious baked goods and treats will also be available, designed by Baker-in Residence Akash Swar and Café/Bar Manager Margaret Legere.
About the Comedy is Art. Festival
The Comedy is Art. Festival is an annual comedy and performance festival hosted by The Theatre Centre, featuring stand-up and sketch comedy, improv, music and more. The Theatre Centre recognizes comedy as a distinct artform and, through its annual festival, offers artists the space, time, resources and platform that comedy deserves. The Festival features some of the best comedians in Toronto and sends a clear message: comedy should be taken seriously! The Theatre Centre also dedicates at least one Residency spot to a comedian. Read more about the Festival here.
About The Theatre Centre
The Theatre Centre is a nationally recognized live-arts incubator and community hub. Their mission is to offer a home for creative, cultural and social interactions to invent the future. They make work that spans disciplines and genres; work that pushes the boundaries of what is considered “art”. Their programming and their role as a community space are inextricably linked. Art is not made in a silo: it is connected to the world around it.
(Photo credits: The Theatre Centre.)
Event details
Hosted by: The Theatre Centre
Curated by: liza paul, with programming support from Tim Blair and Ellie Posadas. Read about the 2024 selection committee by scrolling down here.
Type of event: comedy festival with live performance & music
Festival dates & times: The festival runs from Tuesday, October 22 – Saturday, October 26, 2024 and includes programming at 7:30 PM ET and 9:30 PM ET. Please refer to the Schedule for specific performance dates & times.
Duration: Approximately 60-75 minutes for each performance.
Cost: Single show tickets are C$20.00. Special edition passes are C$50.00 and include three shows of your choice and fun perks. Prices include fees.
Location: The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J 1J1
Booking links:
- Early bird pass: Book your passes here.
- Single tickets: Book your tickets here by scrolling down to the event you want to attend.
Contact Details: The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J 1J1, Canada; 416-538-0988, boxoffice@theatrecentre.org, theatrecentre.org
Content warning: For audiences 18+, unless otherwise noted. Mature subject matter.
Accessibility: The Theatre Centre is physically accessible to audiences and artists alike. Each level has a barrier-free washroom and there’s a lift available for public use. If you have questions or need specific accommodations, please email or call the box office at 416-538-0988 and they’ll do their best to help you out. While the box office staff is working from home there will not be anyone on site to answer the phone. Leave a message and they will endeavour to return your call within 24 hours. More info here.
COVID-19 policy: Info here.
Refund policy: Please contact the organizer.