The Comedy is Art Festival is back at The Theatre Centre for its sixth year! Curated by The Theatre Centre’s Associate Artistic Director liza paul, the Comedy is Art Festival is sure to tickle your funny bones! I got to talk to liza about this year’s lineup, about the Comedy is Art Festival itself, and what she hopes for the future of this unique and funny festival.

1. Could you please introduce yourself to my readers and tell us a bit about your role with the Comedy is Art Festival?

hello! my name is liza paul and i am the associate artistic director at the theatre centre where i have the immense privilege of curating the annual comedy is art festival, now in its sixth year.

2. What makes the Comedy is Art Festival such a special event?

janine you are the best! i looooove that implied in the question is the notion that the festival IS special, because i agree wholeheartedly! comedy is art is curated with great care and the support of two really talented artists, ellie posadas and tim blair. we look first and foremost for artists who make us laugh really hard, and we prioritize making space for women, bipoc, and queer/trans artists. the other qualities the artists selected to perform share are: a unique perspective, original delivery and content, an understanding of the rhythm of comedy, and crucially, the understanding that comedy stops being funny when you start punching down. the festival has a strict anti-phobic policy, so while there is no subject that is off-limits, the handling of all material is sure to be done with care so that audiences know they will be able to enjoy a fantastic night out where they will laugh – and while they might be shocked from time to time, they won’t be traumatized. the programming is thoughtful and considered and designed to make you leave with aching sides and a smile on your face. 

3. What can audiences expect from this year’s line up?

with five shows over three nights, this year’s line-up brings some new faces as well as old favourites to the stages. we are opening the festival with andrew phung and friends, which delighted audiences last year and that we are so happy to have back in the mix. he and his homies do some next level improv and their artistry is really something special to behold so if there are still tickets available, buy some! nkasi ogbonnah will also be performing a full-length version of a piece she’s been developing called afronaut, which is a wildly intelligent mix of her very particular brand of absurdist humour and fun facts about canadian history. she describes herself as an angry black woman with a lot to be angry about, and trust me when i tell you that the way she spins that into something truly inspired is not to be missed. courtesy of phoenix the fire and nancie anderson, we’ve got ASL-interpreted stand up shows featuring some of toronto’s best comedians, plus a couple from montreal: daphney joseph, ben sosa wright, lou laurence, nick reynoldson, orly zebak, raquel maestre, tamara shevon, marcia johnson – the list goes on. these comics were selected because they are smart, sharp, surprising, and wickedly funny. we will close the festival out with not hamilton improvised, a musical improv show that takes a suggestion from the audience about a historical figure (not alexander hamilton, though) and sets an entire show to the soundtrack of hamilton the musical about whomever is suggested. it’s a riot and what i hope will be a very jubilant way to close out the festival. 

4. Is there a specific performer or act that you’re really looking forward to this year?

this question is so hard! the fact is that i chose these shows and these artists because i think they’re all amazing and deserve time to shine in a beautiful venue where the lighting will make everyone look good. i can’t pick!! but i have an idea: why don’t your readers see all the shows and then get back to me about their favourites so that i know what to bring back next year? 

5. What do you hope for the future of the Comedy is Art Festival?

wowowowow big question. i hope that the funding continues to find its way to the theatre centre so that we can continue to direct it to the artists. i hope that the artists continue to find community in the festival and that they continue to feel as though they are valued. it’s been my experience that comedians are often treated as though their art form is less-than, when in fact i believe that comedy is the most vital tool we have to speak truth to power. there is something magical about building an offering that allows a room full of strangers to find common ground and think and laugh and find release and joy and i hope that the festival gets the traction it needs to maintain all of this for the communities we serve. everybody deserves a moment to feel good. 

I want to thank liza for taking the time out of her day to answer my questions. The Comedy is Art Festival runs at The Theatre Centre October 23 – 25. For more information and tickets, visit: https://theatrecentre.org/event/comedy-is-art-2025/

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