The Theatre Centre hosts its sixth edition of the Comedy is Art festival, with three nights of can’t-miss comedy with over 20 comics from across Toronto and beyond.
Returning for the sixth year, Comedy is Art doubles down on its curatorial mission to present excellent shows that punch unapologetically up, through poignant and witty observations about the world, and a commitment to making you laugh. The festival’s show program is curated by comedian, storyteller and The Theatre Centre’s Associate Artistic Director liza paul, with programming support from Tim Blair (TallBoyz) and Ellie Posadas (Tita Collective).
Comedy is Art festival lineup
Andrew Phung and Friends
Thursday, October 23, 7PM
Andrew Phung, Gavin Williams, and Alexa MacKell are three best friends who have been doing comedy together for over a decade. Having met at the Loose Moose Theatre in Calgary, they are a powerhouse trio of laughs, love, and pop culture jokes that only Andrew and Alexa get, but Gavin goes along with due to his fear of being ostracized from the group.
Afronaut – Nkasi Ogbonnah
Friday, October 24, 7PM
Get ready for intelligent, acerbic and weirdly gentle comedy! Tackling relevant social issues through the eyes of an angry Black woman, that has every reason to be angry. You’ll probably be mentally hit with snapshots of historical figures, and outer space, presented by someone with the physicality of a former rhythmic gymnast.
Hot Takes
Friday, October 24, 9PM
Hosted by Toronto-based comic Tamara Shevon, this is a show full of comics whose hot takes will have you laughing all night.
Featuring: Darren Leo, Raquel Maestre, Ben Sosa-Wright, and Orly Zebak.
Our Cities On Our Stages from Bad Dog Theatre at Comedy is Art
Saturday, October 25, 10AM to 6PM
Bad Dog’s groundbreaking symposium on inclusion and diversity, will include a full day of activities (workshop, presentation, dialogue) that dovetails into an improv presentation as part of Comedy is Art.
‘Our Cities’ is a chance to gather, to take stock and to really CHECK-IN with each other, in the context of a world where inclusion initiatives are under attack. Open to improv students, performers, instructors, and/or arts administrators, the Our Cities on Our Stages Symposium seeks to create a dialogue about existing diversity and inclusion issues while looking forward to possible healthy futures.
Made You Laugh
Saturday, October 25, 7PM
Headlined by Toronto favourite Nick Reynoldson, this lineup will bring the funny in ways you didn’t even know were possible.
Featuring: Marcia Johnson, Daphney Joseph, Lou Laurence, and Kě.
Not Hamilton Improvised
Co-Presented by Bad Dog Theatre
Saturday, October 25, 9PM
An improvised hip-hop and freestyle-rap musical inspired by a historical figure or character as chosen by the audience, fully scored by the backing tracks of Hamilton. Songs non-stop!
Featuring: Lance Oribello, Katie Chin, Patrick Ronan, Tim Blair, and Nicole Passmore.
Comedy is Art festival curator & artist liza paul
Comedy is Art Festival schedule and ticketing details are available at TheatreCentre.org. All shows run at The Theatre Centre from October 23 to 25, 2025.
Please note: Comedy is Art Festival programs feature mature content and alcohol will be sold (age recommendation 18+).
