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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 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
Executive and 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 THEATRE SOCIETY
STAFF
BRINGING THE 2026 FESTIVAL TO LIFE
Byron Martin - Executive and Artistic Director
Jules Pepin - Operations Manager
Mary Fleming - Finance Manager
Ria Rivera - Marketing Manager
Abigail Fullwood - Digital Marketing Coordinator
Trinity Locke - Bookings & Operations Manager
Autumn Russell - Co-Technical Director
Chris Hicks - Co-Technical Director
Jules Pepin - Education Manager
Kathleen McGee - Artist Liaison
GRINDSTONE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STEERING THE GRINDSTONE SHIP EVERYDAY
Sean Lee - Board President
Edward Dziarmaga - Treasurer
Brian Lardner - Secretary
Davina Stewart - Board Member
Sapreet Buttar - Board Member
Adam Dyck - Board Member
Ryley Miller - Board Member
