Did you know that comedy isn’t recognized as its own art form in Canada? Actors, playwrights, dancers, and even circus artists are eligible for discipline-specific funding, while comedians do not have access to program funding of their own. From October 25-29, catch a week of comedy and join the movement that emphatically declares COMEDY IS ART!

Comedy is Art 2022 features some of the best comedians in Toronto. Returning to the stage for the third time since 2019, the festival offers a week-long program of talented comedians you can catch live in person or stream from home.

What's on for Comedy is Art 2022

TallBoyz II Men

Tuesday, Oct. 25 @ 8 pm

Tickets: $125 for one / $200 for a pair

The Theatre Centre’s sixth annual fundraiser on opening night features a performance by TallBoyz II Men. Join us for what is sure to be a fun-filled night filled with improv, sketches and maybe even a musical number or two!

TallBoyz II Men is a multi-award-winning sketch troupe made up of Tim Blair, Vance Banzo, Franco Nguyen, and Guled Abdi. Formed in 2016 from the depths of the Toronto stand-up comedy scene, they have since gone on to win awards at Toronto Sketchfest, Montreal Sketchfest and Toronto Fringe. As well as create and star in the Canadian Screen Award-winning sketch show TallBoyz on CBC.

Stand Up For Sobriety

Wednesday, Oct. 26 @ 8 pm

Tickets: PWYC ($15, $30, $45, $60)

Join us for a night of stand-up comedy featuring some of Canada’s best (and sober) comedians. This show started as a way for sober identifying folks to come and enjoy a night of laughs and fun, without being in an alcohol sales-centric environment. Hosted by John Mostyn. Featuring Brandon Ash-Mohammed, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, Tracy Hamilton, Danny Martinello, and Todd Graham.

Black on Black on Black

Thursday, Oct. 27 @ 8 pm

Tickets: PWYC ($15, $30, $45, $60)

Black on Black on Black is a celebration of Black comedy, Black joy — all Black everything. Performers from across the spectrums of age, gender, body shape and size will make you laugh using comedic forms as diverse as themselves: sketch, stand-up, improv, and maybe even comedic interpretive dance. Hosted by Ajahnis Charley. Featuring Coko Galore, Brandon Hackett, Hisham Kelati, Sashka DC, and Nkasi Ogbonnah.

Coko Galore presents UNSCRIPTABLE!

Friday, Oct. 28 @ 8 pm

Tickets: PWYC ($15, $30, $45, $60)

Some actors know their lines! Some don’t! This show matches actors who know their scripts with improvisers who don’t! It’s unpredictable, unrepeatable, unscriptable! Hosted by Coko Galore. Featuring Ajahnis Charley, Paloma Nuñez, Kirsten Rasmussen, Sharjil Rasool, Guled Abdi, and more.

D.B. McLeod Presents: Real Estate Problems

Saturday, Oct. 29 @ 8 pm

Tickets: PWYC ($15, $30, $45, $60)

Join six incredible Indigenous comedians for a night of Indigenous joy, and brilliance by pushing boundaries. Real Estate Problems is making fun of all things colonial! These comedians are going to decolonize your funny bone so that they get their Land Back! Hosted by Denise B. McLeod. Performances by Samantha Mandaamin, Lena Recollet, Krysta Williams, and Ozhawa Anug Kwe.

For tickets visit theatrecentre.org.