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2024 WORKSHOPS
FROM CONCEPT TO CURTAIN: HOW TO PRODUCE A COMEDY SHOW WORKSHOP
WITH ELLIE HEATH
Join Ellie Heath, a seasoned producer and performer from Treaty 6 Territory, for an in-depth, hands-on workshop at the Grindstone Comedy Fest. Ellie is a founding member and producer of Girl Brain Sketch Comedy, and has produced and performed in sold-out shows at notable venues like the Roxy, the Grindstone, the Citadel Theatre, Toronto Sketchfest and the Fringe Festival.
In this 2-hour workshop, Ellie will guide you through the essential steps of producing a successful comedy show. From the initial concept and theme development to the final curtain call, you'll learn the ins and outs of planning, budgeting, marketing, and managing both performers and technical aspects. The session will also cover post-show evaluations to help you continuously improve your productions.
Whether you're a budding producer or a seasoned performer looking to expand your skill set, this workshop offers valuable insights and practical advice to elevate your comedy show productions. Engage in interactive discussions, gain access to useful resources, and network with fellow enthusiasts in the comedy community.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of Edmonton's most accomplished comedy producers and take your show from concept to curtain call with confidence.
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Location: Grindstone Studio (9562 82 Ave NW)
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Date: Saturday July 6, 2024
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Time: 12:00 - 2:00PM
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Price: $75
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ABOUT:
ELLIE
Ellie Heath is a multidisciplinary artist based out of Treaty 6 Territory. She is a founding member of the award-winning sketch troupe, Girl Brain and a solo theatre creator, with her piece Fake n' Bake earning critical praise across Canada, as well as 3 Sterling Award nominations. Heath has performed on most stages in Edmonton, and has had the opportunity to perform across Canada and the United States. In addition to sketch comedy and theatre, Ellie is a singer songwriter, with her first EP, SHINE, debuting this summer! Visit www.ellieheath.com for more info!
THE ART OF STAND UP & BEING YOURSELF ON STAGE WORKSHOP
WITH COURTNEY GILMOUR
Have you always wanted to try stand up comedy? If you think you’re funny and need a push to the stage join comedian Courtney Gilmour in this one day workshop where we will learn the basics of joke writing, performance, and how to be your authentic self on stage. Bring your favourite funny ideas, personal stories, and jokes and prepare to be on stage at the end of the workshop!
No experience necessary. Participants should bring a notebook and pen or their preferred note taking app.
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Location: Grindstone Theatre (10019 81 Ave NW)
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Date: Saturday July 6, 2024
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Time: 1:00 - 3:00PM
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Price: $75
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ABOUT:
COURTNEY
Courtney Gilmour is a JUNO nominated stand up comedian, television writer, and finalist on Canada’s Got Talent. She is one of Canada's most unique voices and sought after comedy talents, named by NOW Magazine as “one of the top 10 stage artists to watch”. She delivered a breakout performance at the 2017 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal by winning the Homegrown Comics Competition and filming a set for Kevin Hart's LOL Network. Courtney's victory at the 2017 Just For Laughs Homegrown was the first by a female comic in the 19 year history of the event. In 2018 she topped it with televised performances at CBC’s Winnipeg and Halifax comedy festivals, as well as a triumphant return to Montreal to tape a set for The Comedy Network at Just for Laughs.
I.C.E. INITIATION, COMMITMENT AND EDITING WORKSHOP
WITH KRIS SIDDIQI
Focus on the core skills of improvisation to hone your ability in initiating scenes effectively, editing with precision, and committing fully to characters
Delve into the foundational elements of improvisation focusing on three key areas: initiating scenes, editing scenes, and maintaining commitment to character and scene reality. With his years of training, teaching, directing and instructing, award winning Comedian-Actor Kris Siddiqi will take participants through a series of exercises and improv formats aimed at helping improvisers start scenes with strong, clear choices; confidently edit using different editing techniques; and fully commit to their characters and the world of the scene.
Prerequisites - Improv 101/201 & Acting 101
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Location: Grindstone Studio (9562 82 Ave NW)
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Date: Saturday July 6, 2024
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Time: 2:30 - 4:30PM
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Price: $75
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ABOUT:
KRIS
Kris Siddiqi is a comedian, actor and writer from Toronto!
Recipient of the 2015 Canadian Comedy Award for Best Male Improviser and the 2014
“Best Of” Now Magazine Awards. Trained in sketch and improvisation since a young
age, Kris studied with the world renowned Second City, joined the Mainstage cast in
2009 and wrote 3 revues with them. From there he went to voice work, becoming the
Network Voice of Country Music Television, principal roles on many cartoons as well as
becoming a series regular on the Comedy Panel Show on CBC Because News.
His most recent creation was the multi-award winning miniseries BIT PLAYAS.
Conceived and originated by Kris, the show would go on to win 2 Canadian Screen
Awards for Best Writing and Best Series, Best Representation of Communities Of Color
from the Minnesota WebFest 2020, Best Actor in the Toronto WebFest awards, as well
as multiple other awards from festivals all over the world.
IMPROV FUNDAMENTALS WORKSHOP
WITH WAYNE JONES
Ever wanted to try improv comedy? Already have a bit of improv/performing experience but want more practice? This class is for both beginners and current students who have already begun their improv journey!
Learn the basic fundamentals to creating a successful and hilarious improv scene, as well as tips and tricks to unleash your inner comedian!
We will perform improv warm-ups, drills, short-form games and longer scenes. This workshop is a very engaging and positive experience, introducing you to the world of improv through the instructors eyes.
Get ready to laugh and have a ton of fun!
Pre-requisite: Not required
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Location: Grindstone Studio (9562 82 Ave NW)
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Date: Sunday July 7, 2024
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Time: 12:00 - 2:00PM
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Price: $75
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ABOUT:
WAYNE
Wayne Jones is an improv comedian and producer based in Toronto, ON. Wayne has headlined “The White Rhino”, one of Toronto’s premiere comedy/variety shows for over a decade. Wayne was nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Live Production, for his sold-out “Colin Mochrie & Wayne Jones” tours. He has produced and performed in critically-acclaimed shows across North America, including at Second City Toronto, The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago, Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, and across Canada. Festival credits include: Just For Laughs Toronto, Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, Winnipeg Improv Fest and Improvaganza. Wayne has completed improv training at the Second City, Improv Olympic, Annoyance Theatre, Upright Citizens Brigade, and the Groundlings. Wayne has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Psychology from Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton.
CRAFTING YOUR COMEDY ALBUM WORKSHOP
WITH MELANIE DAHLING, HOWL & ROAR RECORDS
Want to work toward your first comedy album? In this workshop, we cover the basics:
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Choosing and refining material
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Prepping a set with track splits in mind
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Identifying your goals and setting yourself up for success
We’ll also cover the dos and don’ts of approaching a comedy label. (Hint: it takes more than a hastily written DM.)
Prerequisites: Stand-up 101, or equivalent experience on stage (you’ve been performing consistently for at least a year and producers hire you for booked shows)
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Location: Grindstone Theatre (10019 81 Ave NW)
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Date: Sunday July 7, 2024
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Time: 1:00 - 3:00PM
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Price: $75
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ABOUT:
MELANIE
Melanie is a comedian and writer with 10+ of experience in the stand-up world, an art form she has studied from all angles. Before becoming “Second in Command” at women-led comedy label Howl & Roar Records, she reviewed Canadian comedy albums for online publication Parton & Pearl, and reported on JFL events for Showbiz Monkeys.
All that behind-the-scenes work must have paid off, because her own album, Greetings From The Big City, gets regular airplay on SXM and was named in the Toronto Star’s Top 10 for 2023. Melanie is passionate about helping artists showcase their unique voices, and is excited for this opportunity to share insights from the industry.