Thursday, June 13th
Measure (296 Brunswick Ave.)
(No advance tickets – this is a NXNE event. Wristbands available for purchase at nxne.com)

She Said What have been a constant at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival since 2009. This year their performance was recognized with one of the Festival’s highest honours, Winning the Second City Best of The Fest Award. We asked She Said What’s Megan MacKeigan about their win, being a part of NXNE, and about the secret to successful cross dressing.

Tell us about your win at Sketchfest.

It was super exciting, very flattering, unexpected and has made us all very proud. Our sets felt great, like we just clicked really well that week, relaxed and we had a lot of fun performing. We have been involved for a number of years and have been nominated for awards before, but this was our first W, and it was a great W!

This was your 4th year performing at The Toronto Sketch Comedy festival. Why do you think this was the year you won “Best of the Fest”?

We have certainly had time to develop our writing and our toolkits as performers. We had opportunities to explore other performing opportunities and each bring that to our rehearsals and performances. It’s probably a combination of experience and playfulness that comes from being confident in our writing and scene partners.

This year we had 8 troupes in the festival comprised of all women. Are we at a point where it’s redundant to ask about being women in comedy?

In a way yes, we will always support women in comedy, and we’re happy to see more women and womens perspectives represented in our Canadian comedy scene.

NXNE has brought back Comedy Programming for a 2nd year, and has expanded the stream to include over 75 comics and troupes. What does this mean for Comedy Culture in Toronto?

We hope that this along with TOSketchfest will continue to expand our audience. While there is a fabulous comedy scene thriving in the city, it can sometimes be insular. Getting new people from across the city to check out what our city’s comedians have to offer is awesome and will lead hopefully to the sustainability of strength of the scene.

(dumb question) I’ve always wondered about your troupe name. Is it supposed to be said in disbelief, as if I can’t process what you just said. She said WHAT??! Or are you a group of women who just say “what” a lot?

Disbelief! You won’t believe what we’ll say!

(Alt dumb question) Which one of you ladies was the first to say “what”?

Carly’s the oldest, we assume she spoke first.  She was a pretty smart baby.

There will be a crossover of audiences. What should somebody who’s never seen sketch comedy be prepared for?

The greatest night of their life!

Describe your comedy to somebody who’s never seen you before.

Our shows are laugh out loud, polished and professional. Our material is generally grounded in reality, very character-driven, high-energy, and tightly rehearsed. We write and perform from a background in theatre, dance and improv, and tend to turn life on itself. Some scenes are very silly, some are more poignant, they are all a lot of fun.

You’re playing the Best of The Fest show. Declaring anything “The Best” is a bold claim – What is something She Said What does better than anybody else?

Hair.

Which is funnier – A Man playing a Woman, or a Woman playing a Man?

They’re both very funny. When we cross dress we try and play a man as accurately as possible so that the joke isn’t just that Mack has a moustache on, but that that man is being ridiculous.  Like I appreciate Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire but Hilary Swank was hilarious in “Boys Don’t Cry”.

In the span of 3 months you’ll have played 2 great festivals – Sketchfest and NXNE – What’s next for She Said What?

We could all go for a good old fashioned “Best Of” one of these days.

Don’t miss your opportunity to catch an encore performance by 3 award-winning troupes from the 2013 festival in:

Deadline: June 16th at midnight
Apply now: http://www.sketchfest.org/apply/

Deadpan Powerpoint are two-time winners of the NOW Audience Choice Award at The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. Seems they’re doing something right. So why, then, is The Best of the Fest Encore Show truly their final performance? We asked Mike Kiss that question and a few others.

Tell us about your win at Sketchfest.

It was the best show we’ve played in Toronto. We had a friendly crowd, in large part composed of people who realized they’d never come out to see us, and wouldn’t have another chance. Kinda like why people get flu shots. It was also the only time that the insurmountable technical challenge of plugging a laptop into a projector has ever worked perfectly on the first attempt.

You won the Audience Choice award based on what was supposed to be your retirement show. Now you’re here playing Best of the Fest. Will you ever be able to Retire?

Oh, yes. Watch us. It may happen in the middle of our set.

(if so) What does retirement hold for you?

Mike might find something else to do in comedy because he can’t live without it. Ted’ll be fine. We may finally record the comedy album we’ve been talking about for years.

What excites you in real life? Or do you hold onto the deadpan gimmick 24 hours a day.

Mike is excited by baseball, knowing that he’s going to see a dog today, and knowing he doesn’t have to get up early. Ted likes saving money. At least that’s what Mike thinks. We’re both voice actors, and our onstage characters are parodies of what everyone thinks of us as performers. So the gimmick is that we’re doing impressions of ourselves. Speaking only for myself (Mike) I keep the gimmick going so no one ever sees how devoid of personality I truly am.

NXNE has brought back Comedy Programming for a 2nd year, and has expanded the stream to include over 75 comics and troupes. What does this mean for Comedy Culture in Toronto?

We’ll see. Exposure is great, but it’s really the selection process that makes the difference in these things. I can only really speak about the sketch community, but If you showcase the best, people will want to see more. NXNE and similar events can really help the culture by giving an act a place to go, rather than the rooms that are so often populated by other comics or supportive friends.

What shows are you looking forward to seeing at NXNE?

I’m going to see the BB King doc (The Life of Riley) and any Bluegrass music I can find.

There will be a crossover of audiences. What should somebody who’s never seen sketch comedy be prepared for?

Stories. That’s what we depend on. We’ll present you with a situation and take you somewhere unexpected. Then, we’ll do that again. Hopefully.

Describe your comedy to somebody who’s never seen you before.

We’re two boring guys in suits who make deep assumptions about you and use Powerpoint to teach you stupid things you don’t need to know. So….we’re like your office environment. But no one at work is going to teach you how to make the ultimate sandwich.

You’re playing the Best of The Fest show. Declaring anything “The Best” is a bold claim – What is something Deadpan Powerpoint does better than anybody else?

Very little. I mean we do “very little” better than anyone else. We can’t jump around. We don’t use props or costumes. We have to be well-written, tightly prepared, and well-presented. Flexibility is not part of our act, so we’re going to give you as much as a classic sketch troupe does, but without emoting or even really moving our feet. What we’re great at is concept and commitment.

In the span of 3 months you’ll have played 2 great festivals – Sketchfest and NXNE – What’s next for Deadpan Powerpoint?

Nothing. That’s the whole damned point. We may try to perform in other towns, or do some web shorts, but we’ve pretty much done this thing and enjoyed it. And we don’t feel like we earn our place on the scene anymore. We’ve certainly delivered every time we’ve done Sketchfest, but other acts simply work harder than we do, and we’re feeling like we don’t earn our place the way we used to. So, we’re going to commit ritual suicide on stage.

Don’t miss your opportunity to catch an encore performance by 3 award-winning troupes from the 2013 festival in:

As winners of the Steamwhistle Producer’s Pick at the 2013 Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, The Rocket Scientists will be appearing at NXNE June 14^th as part of The Best of The Fest Encore show. We Spoke with Brandon Hacket and Ephraim Ellis of The Rocket Scientists to talk about NXNE, Their Sketchfest Experience, and to figure out once and for all who is the smartest Rocket Scientist really is.

Tell us about your win at Sketchfest.

BRANDON:  I didn’t expect it at all, but it was a very pleasant surprise.  I think I said, “WHAT?” aloud when it was announced.  We were really surprised and honoured.

EPHRAIM: Neither did I! I actually wasn’t at the Sketch-U-Bator when it happened – Chris called me up saying “WE WON. YOU’RE NOT HEEEERE.” It was hilarious. I was so honoured.

You were present at almost every show and event during Sketchfest – what were your favorite moments/experiences during the festival?

BRANDON:  I really loved the community-building events.  Sketch-U-Bator was a huge highlight for me.  No sense of competition or intimidation (not that there was any at all in the first place); just sketch groups having fun doing whatever silly stuff they wanted to do in front of a receptive group of like-minded comedians/drunk people.

EPHRAIM: The first Saturday’s edition of Rap Battlez (featuring Professor Ex-Husband) was one of my favourite shows – and Deadpan Powerpoint. I had no idea what I was getting into when they went on stage. Such a good set. Also, getting to watch Primo’s set after our LOT show had wrapped was great – it was nice to unwind and not worry after such an exciting show!

You’re the youngest troupe on the best of the fest bill. What do you hope to learn working next to Deadpan Powerpoint and She Said What?

BRANDON:  So much!  I was so blown away by both of these groups during the festival.  Deadpan PowerPoint had such a brilliant, creative format that completely was outside of traditional sketch.  And She Said WHAT frankly put on the best sketch set I have ever seen.  I’m always looking for ways to improve my writing and performance—I sometimes rely too much on tried-and-true structures—but these two groups clearly were writing from personal, thoughtful places and had exceptional stagecraft to boot.  What I write next for the group will try to play with structures, transitions and theatricality.

EPHRAIM: Definitely what Brandon said about structure. I think we could stand to do a more fun stuff with our set-lists, breaking stuff up thematically and incorporating more callbacks.

NXNE has brought back Comdey Programming for a 2nd year, and has expanded the stream to include over 75 comics and troupes. What does this mean for Comedy Culture in Toronto?

BRANDON:  More opportunities for exposure!  More ways to celebrate the community!  It means that people who don’t really go to see comedy shows will have a chance to see a whole bunch of different troupes at their best rather than one or two that they’ve maybe heard about on an off night.

EPHRAIM: I think it means a lot of great opportunities for Toronto comedians of all stripes. The NXNE name and brand is very high profile and I think it’s great they want to attach themselves to local comedy.

What shows are you looking forward to seeing at NXNE?

BRANDON:  I’m really excited about the Laugh Sabbath Film Festival.  I’m already a huge admirer of the collective.  So many of the people have been huge influences on me and the way I approached comedy writing and performance when I was starting out.  Not only will I get a chance to see work by people in the group, but also other comedians and filmmakers in and around the city who submitted.

EPHRAIM: I just went to look up whose playing and I can honestly say I HAVE NO IDEA. It’s an absolutely epic list of bands and comedians and film stuff and… it’s very exciting. Too much stuff to pick from! Awesome!

Is Rocket Scientists an ironic name? I guess what I’m asking is which one of you is the smartest?

BRANDON:  In re:  the name, it’s maybe a tad ironic, but we certainly weren’t trying to be funny when we settled on it.  We’re all obviously not rocket scientists, but I do think it has kind of taken on a metaphorical meaning—silly and self-deprecating comedy from brainy guys?  I’m glad that’s our name—when we formed, I just kept suggesting stupid ones like “The Donald Sutherland Follies.”

Also, Ephraim’s the smartest.  A lot of his sketches use technical or scientific language in a virtuosic and kind of poetic way.  Also, he bought a house and owns a car!!

EPHRAIM: I’m not sure buying a house makes me the smartest. I mean, not with the impending 2^nd Pan-Global Economic collapse that’s imminent. BUY GOLD!

I wouldn’t ascribe any deeper meaning to our name. I think we also considering “FutureSketch LaughSounds.” Which, to be fair, should be the name of a revue of ours at some point.

There will be a crossover of audiences at NXNE. What should somebody who’s never seen sketch comedy be prepared for?

BRANDON:  Prepare to be baffled as to why you’re seeing a bunch of loud, weird short plays.

EPHRAIM: When the lights cut out in the middle of the show, don’t worry, that’s what’s supposed to happen.

Describe your comedy to somebody who’s never seen you before.

BRANDON:  Smart, silly, nerdy, needy.  Sexy?

EPHRAIM: Deep, shallow, bold, subtle. Okay, I guess?

You’re playing the Best of The Fest show. Declaring anything “The Best” is a bold claim – What is something the Rocket Scientists do better than anybody else?

BRANDON:  Quote The Simpsons to the dismay of all.

EPHRAIM: Blade Runner references.

In the span of 3 months you’ll have played 2 great festivals – Sketchfest and NXNE – What’s next for The Rocket Scientists?

BRANDON:  I’d like to tour, actually.  We’re so anchored to Comedy Bar, and while that’s an awesome venue I think we could learn a lot about how to improve our show by playing as many different rooms as possible.

EPHRAIM: I second Brandon’s sentiment entirely! I think getting into as many new rooms as possibly is key – we had such a great time at the Toronto Sketchfest – we’re really excited to apply for some more out-of-town festivals!

Don’t miss your opportunity to catch an encore performance by 3 award-winning troupes from the 2013 festival in:

Don’t miss your opportunity to catch an encore performance by 3 award-winning troupes from the 2013 festival in:

Featuring performances by the 2013 TOsketchfest award winners:

She Said What

Toronto’s She Said What ruled the roost at the 2013 TOsketchfest.  Their mixture of charm, physicality and non-stop fun won them top honors in their 4th festival appearance. This all female ensemble were nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award.  While they didn’t win that honor, you’ll soon see why they DID win:

  The Second City Best of the Fest Award

Deadpan Powerpoint

Deadpan Powerpoint embodies ‘truth in advertising.’ Two emotionless men giving Powerpoint lectures. “What’s so funny?” you might ask.  Well… just ask the roaring standing ovation at TOsketchfest in March. Their absurd lectures on topics such as murder, the hipster and their latest, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Dogs,” have become a TOsketchfest staple. On June 14th, it all comes to an end with Deadpan Powerpoint’s farewell performance.  Their signature style and superb comedic timing have made them two-time winners of:

 The NOW Audience Choice Award

The Rocket Scientists

The Rocket Scientists showed they’re serious about this ‘sketch comedy business.’ Their performance kicked off one of the most talked-about shows at the festival in March.  They made us laugh, and they worked their tails off to make the most of the many opportunities the festival provides.  These qualities won them:

The Steam Whistle Producers’ Pick Award

The Second City Best of the Fest Award goes to She Said What who dazzled judges with their charm, stagecraft and all out laughs.  The NOW Magazine Audience Choice Award goes to Deadpan Powerpoint. This is their second time winning this honour, and has officially pulled them from the brink of retirement for at least one more show. And the Steam Whistle Producers’ Pick Award was snagged by upstart Toronto troupe, The Rocket Scientists for making us laugh, and seizing the many opportunities the festival presents.

All three troupes will perform on The Best of the Fest Weekend in June, so look out for details.

What an incredible 11 days of the best scripted comedy in North America filled with memorable moments.  Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson joined Bruce McCulloch for a surprise reprise of their classic Kids in the Hall scene, “Running Faggot.”  Eugene Mirman presided over an impromptu wedding live at the Radolph Theatre.  Michael Ian Black’s first ever performance in Toronto began with the words, “What is up with your mayor?”  Gavin Crawford further entrenched himself as a Canadian superstar by filling the shoes of both The Honky Tonk Man and Bret “The Hitman” Hart.  The Dance Party of Newfoundland’s reprisal of legendary newfie super group “Sons of our Fathers” was nothing short of ludicrous fun.  Peter ‘n Chris dazzled in a trip inside the human body – something only their highly physical, boyish aesthetic could pull off.

And the star of the whole shebang… was you, Toronto.  Our audiences are the very coolest, most fun-loving people on the planet.  Go forth and multiply!  Everyone – grab a friend, and bring them back when we do this all over again in 2014.

Sunday, March 16 – 7pm
Comedy Bar
The Reception / Short Form Richards / Fratwurst

Tonight, by some strange miracle, DPN is suiting up once more.  Do NOT miss this – who the heck knows when you’ll get the opportunity again.

Saturday, March 16th – 8pm
Lower Ossington Theatre
BOAT / The Dance Party of Newfoundland