The 2013 Professional Development Series is sponsored by our friends at Insight Productions and features exceptional learning opportunities for performers. Read on for more information on what’s on tap and how to register.

Lounge Series

Join us in the Teksavvy Lounge at the Lower Ossington Theatre for a special series of public panels looking behind the scenes of the Festival’s funniest. This is your chance to grab a refreshment and get some valuable industry insight from stars of the festival and the Canadian comedy industry!

• Saturday March 9th – 5:00 pm -  TekSavvy Lounge Opening Mixer and Insight Productions Professional Development Preview: Now that the festival has kicked off, why not come out to our OPENING MIXER? Meet some of your fellow artists, grab a drink, and get a look at what’s coming up next. We’ll have previews of the week’s Professional Development Schedule, sponsored by Insight Productions, as well as the official opening of the Teksavvy Lounge.
• Wednesday March 13th – 6:30 pm – So You’re A Sketch Comedian… What’s Next?: Your years spent creating sketch comedy don’t only prepare you for a career of cheap wigs and shouting… Talk to industry professionals who’ve turned their sketch experience into careers copywriting, doing voiceover work, writing for animation, and more!
• Thursday  March 14th – 6:30 pm – From Sketch To (Web) Series: A moderated discussion and Q&A with sketch comedians who have successfully made the jump to creating their own web series. Featuring creators from Space Janitors, Versus Valerie, The Casting Room, and a representative from provincial funding agencies.
• Friday  March 15th – 6:30 pm – Writing In A Professional Room: We’ll profile and chat with sketch artists who’ve jumped from the live stage to professional writing rooms, and lived to tell about it. Confirmed guests include writers from Mr. D, Men With Brooms, George Strombolopolous Tonight and more!
• Saturday  March 16th – 6:30 pm – Pitching For Television: One of the most important skills in the television industry is pitching your ideas, and this panel will show you the ins and outs of the process. Whether your’re a junior performer looking to get an understanding of how to pitch your idea for a TV show, or an experienced pro looking for some inside scoop from our industry vets, this is the panel for you!

The Lounge Series is open to performers and the public, and admission is FREE. For information about the Lounge Series and how to participate, email Professional Development Manager Ian MacIntyre.

Workshops and Events

Character Creation with Paul Bellini

Join Canadian sketch comedy icon PAUL BELLINI (Kids In The Hall, 22 Minutes) as he offers a hands-on workshop on creating funny, exciting, and memorable sketch characters. This is a great opportunity for beginner comedians to learn from one of the greats, or for experienced sketch/improv artists to shake off the dust and take some risks.

• Saturday March 9th – 12:00 – 3:00 pm – Second City Training Centre
• Registration fee: $20 plus HST
• Open to TOsketchfest performers and the comedy community; sketch or improvisation experience required
• Register online: CLICK HERE or contact Professional Development Manager Ian MacIntyre

Live Reading Of “Hungry Hungry Games” with Jim Millan

Famed Canadian comedy director Jim Millan will present a live workshop reading of his upcoming stage parody, “Hungry Hungry Games”, featuring some of the best comedic talent in Toronto. Be the first to hear the latest creation from the live director of The Kids In The Hall, Spank! A 50 Shades Parody, and Mythbusters Live. Your laughs will help shape the final show!

• Saturday March 9th – 3:00 – 5:00 pm – Second City Training Centre
• Open to TOsketchfest Performers and the Comedy Community
• FREE
• For information, email Ian MacIntyre.

On-Camera Acting with Andrew Bush

Now that you’ve gotten the hang of making them laugh from the stage, learn how to translate what makes you hilarious onto the screen! Join one of Canada’s most exciting up-and-coming TV and film directors, Andrew Bush (Picnicface, Rollertown), as he offers a hands-on workshop in comedy performance while the cameras are rolling.

• Sunday March 10th – 3:00 – 5:00 pm – Lower Ossington Theatre (100a Ossington Ave
• Registration fee: $20 plus HST
• Open to TOsketchfest performers and the comedy community; sketch or improvisation experience required
• Register online: CLICK HERE or email Professional Development Manager Ian MacIntyre

Directors’ Master Classes

Tune up your sketches under the watchful guidance of some of this country’s most acclaimed sketch mechanics!  Each session provides 5 troupes a chance to present one scene to perform for the session Director, who will then provide notes and suggestions to strengthen character, narrative, blocking and general jokery.  This collaborative session has been a hit at Fests past, and is an opportunity not to be missed.

This years directors are Jim Millan and Paul Bates:

JIM MILLAN: Jim is the creative director of Kids in the Hall, directing all of the live tours since 2000. He has helmed productions in 17 languages and 35 countries in the last decade, which have collectively been seen by over 10 million people.  In the last year, Jim was a creative consultant for Play Dead by Teller and Todd Robbins (off Broadway and in Mexico City), created a one man show with CNN icon Larry King, and was the script consultant on the revised Spiderman: Turn off the Dark.  Jim was the Founding Artistic Director of Canada’s renowned Crow’s Theatre which has produced over 100 new works and numerous tours.  Some of the comedians he has directed include Tommy Chong, Doug Benson, Arj Barker in The Marijuanalogues Off -Broadway, and Gordie Brown in Las Vegas.  His current hit SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody is currently touring and is a sold-out hit in dozens of cities across the US.

PAUL BATES: Born and raised in Toronto, Paul Bates studied theatre at York University and joined the Second City in 1998. There he wrote and performed in five mainstage revues including the critically acclaimed Sordido Deluxo, Family Circus Maximus, and Psychedelicatessen.  Paul is perhaps most recognizable as “Jeff”, one of the leads of CTV’s Dan For Mayor. Paul also worked for several years as a staff writer on George Strombolopolous Tonight. Paul’s earlier television credits include appearances on The 5th Quadrant, Red Green, and Fast Food High. His film credits include a spectacular death scene in Jackie Chan’s The Tuxedo, and Mooseport.

• Saturday March 16th – 12:00 – 3:00 pm – Second City Training Centre
• Open to TOsketchfest Performers only
• FREE
• To register, email Ian MacIntyre and indicate your preferred director. Ian will try to accommodate everyone’s director request but may have to shift troupes around depending on registration numbers.

Sketch 101 with Jim Annan

As the Festival draws to a close, we’re offering an introductory workshop for audience members who’ve been enjoying themselves, and want to give sketch a try! Come get your toes wet with sketch comedy pro Jim Annan (Second City Mainstage, Falcon Powder) as he shows you the ropes of getting started.

• Sunday March 17th – 1:00 – 3:00 pm – Lower Ossington Theatre (100a Ossington Ave
• Registration fee: FREE
• Open to all audience members, TOsketchfest performers and the comedy community; NO experience required
• Register online: CLICK HERE or email Professional Development Manager Ian MacIntyre

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