Toronto Sketchfest is here again with another amazing and hilarious line up of performers. This year, Naomi Snieckus of The Firecracker Department is hositng a live recording of her podcast, along with special guest Julie Nolke. I got to ask these delightful comediennes about The Firecracker Department, International Women’s Day and what they’re looking forward to seeing at TO Sketchfest.

Q: Could you please introduce yourselves to my readers?

I’m Julie Nolke, I’m a Toronto based actor, writer and content creator. Originally from Alberta, I moved out here to become an actor. After theatre school I spent several years attempting to work in film and tv, unsuccessfully. This led me to Youtube and creating my own work to write and act in. Over a decade later I am a full time Youtube creator that now also works in film and television thanks to the exposure I created for myself. Over the last year I’ve had the itch to be in front of a live crowd again. I’ve spent so many years performing for an audience I’ve never met and I’d like to change that. So I wrote my one woman show, Dying on the Outside, that I premiered last December to two sold out audiences and I’m beyond excited to bring it TO Sketchfest.

Naomi Snieckus is an award-winning actor, comedian, writer, and producer known for her work on Mr. D, Disney Zombies, The Social, The Madness, and Pretty Hard Cases. A Second City alum, she has built a career in comedy, television, and film while also championing women and non-binary artists through her company and podcast Firecracker Department. She founded the internationally renowned improv troupe The National Theatre of the World, is 1/2 of the Baram and Snieckus duo and co created/wrote and starred in the recent hit show at Crow’s Theatre Big Stuff.

Q: Naomi, I know we chatted a bit about The Firecracker Department on my podcast, and it’s such an important initiative. How are you feeling about getting to record an episode live as part of TO SketchFest?

Naomi: I’m absolutely thrilled to be doing a live podcast for Sketchfest with the incredible Julie Nolke! There’s something so electric about being in front of a live audience, especially at a festival that celebrates comedy like they do in this amazing festival. I have wanted to get Julie on our show for a long time. She is not only hilarious but also such a smart and creator, so I know this conversation is going to be a blast. I can’t wait to dive into all things comedy, creativity, the ups and downs of content creating and whatever unexpected tangents we end up on—because with a live audience, anything can happen! 

Q: Julie, you have a massive online following who I’m sure will be excited to see you live here in Toronto. Do you feel more nervous performing live or making content to post online?

Julie: I feel nervous for both but in different ways. When performing live in front of an audience there’s this electric adrenaline that you have to work through to actually get on stage and make the thing happen but a failure is limited to the number of people in the room. Whereas, when I post online, I can edit bad performances to look better but one large mistake can go viral. Then there’s Youtube comments which can serve as a direct artery to people’s disapproval as opposed to saying a joke to a live audience and hearing crickets. Both are challenging and both are extremely rewarding. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Q: This podcast recording will be on March 8th for International Women’s Day. Why is it so important to both of you, as women in comedy, to be performing on this auspicious day.

Julie: I think it’s hard to make a career as an artist on the best of days, never mind being a woman in comedy. I still fight off the quiet voice in the back of my head that says “women can’t be funny” because it’s what I grew up believing. I’ve caught myself in the past discrediting movies or comedians because I was groomed to think females in those roles were “uncool” or “unfunny”. It’s taken many years and a lot of incredible female role models and support systems for me to breakout of that way of thinking. I’m so proud to be a working artist who’s a woman and who’s also (allegedly) funny. Looking ahead, I hope I can support other women in the way that I was to help create more female comedy creators with unique perspectives and interesting stories to tell. 

Naomi: Getting to do a live podcast on March 8th for International Women’s Day is incredibly special—especially with Julie Nolke. As women in comedy, we know firsthand the importance of having our voices heard and our stories shared. I feel that comedy has long been a male-dominated space, and every time we step on stage, we’re not just performing—we’re reinforcing the importance of making room for women and non-binary artists to hear our perspective and to be unapologetically funny. International Women’s Day is a celebration of progress, but also a reminder of the work still to be done. I feel like we’ve come a long way but there is still work to be done. Plus, doing it at Sketchfest, surrounded by a community that champions comedy in all its forms, makes it even more meaningful.

Q: What’s another act at the Toronto Sketch Fest that you’re excited about seeing?

Julie: THE TEMPLETON PHILHARMONIC

Naomi: Sketchfest is always an exciting time, packed with incredible comedic talent! It’s easily one of my favorite festivals. I can’t wait to see the various live sketch groups like Small Friend, Tall Friend, Emily Jeffers, Red Hot Silly Peppers PLUS I can’t wait to see the comedy film night. There are a few from the Igniter Film Challenge (presented by Firecracker Dept and Can Film Fest) and I love seeing these creations on a large screen. I’m also really looking forward to seeing the comedy community at the festival, Sketchfest is a very special festival.

I want to thank Julie and Naomi for taking the time to answer my questions! You can check out their performance, and many others, at the Toronto Sketchfest. For more information and tickets, visit: Tickets for The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival

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