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MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Welcome to the 7th Annual Grindstone Comedy Festival! This year, we are extremely proud to present five days of Stand-up, Improv, and Sketch Comedy. We have gathered over 50 of the best local, national, and international talents to share their humor with you across two stages. This festival is packed with laughter, so I encourage you to check out the schedule and attend multiple shows. I guarantee you'll discover your new favorite comedian, improvisor, or sketch performer.
While you're at it, take a look at some of our fantastic workshops organized by our education department. Putting together a festival of this magnitude is no small feat. A huge thanks to our dedicated team at Grindstone, our hard-working staff, volunteers, sponsors, and the artists who have joined us to make it all possible.
Get ready for an unforgettable comedy experience!
- BYRON MARTIN
Artistic Director Grindstone Theatre
ABOUT OUR THEATRE
EST. 2012
Grindstone Theatre is a non-profit organization founded in 2012 which aims to create professional opportunities for emerging artists through high quality productions. Grindstone’s shows have toured internationally and performed to sell out audiences both in Edmonton and abroad.
In 2018 Grindstone opened the Grindstone Comedy Theatre and Bistro which is home to up 14 independently produced shows each week in the areas of improv, stand up, sketch comedy, talk shows, magic, burlesque, musical theatre and more! Voted Edmonton’s Best Comedy Club by VUE Weekly, Grindstone is a venue built by artists for artists.
GRINDSTONE COMEDY FESTIVAL STAFF
BRINGING THE 2026 FESTIVAL TO LIFE
Byron Martin - Artistic & Executive Director
Jules Pepin - Operations Manager
Mary Flemming - Finance Manager
Ria Rivera - Marketing Manager
Chykes Delson - Marketing Assistant
Scott Peters - Technical Director
Aerin Gordon - Lead Technician
Jalyn Flowers - Bookings Manager (Orange Hub Theatres)
Jonathan Parks - FOH & Concession Manager
Lou Kaiser - Education Assistant Manager
Jarin Ten Hove - Education Assistant
Aaron Margetish - Bar Lead
Janine Joines - Bar Lead
GRINDSTONE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STEERING THE GRINDSTONE SHIP EVERYDAY
President: Edward Dziamarga
Vice President: Jaret Sinclair-Gibson
Secretary: Joshua Pickard
Treasurer: Ian St. Arnaud
Directors:
Christine Winegarden-Singh
Eric Decorby
Javier Cuervo
Willow Sydor
