SOLD OUT!

Writer, author, producer and storyteller, known for her performing her five, sold out, one-person shows that she has toured across Canada, Canadian Comedy icon, Shandra Shamas, will be taking the trek from her farm (yes she is a farmer as well) to join us at the Rivoli.
Her first show, My Boyfriend's Back and There's Gonna Be Laundry premiered in 1987 at the Edmonton Fringe got her invited to perform at the Old Vic in London. She has authored two books and been nominated for the Governor General’s Award and the Stephen Leacock Award for the Laundry trilogy. She won a Gemini Award for Best Performance in A Comedy in 1991 and the Best Theatre Award the Rivolie Award at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in March 2003.

Rico is a storyteller and a teacher who specializes in Latinx tales and writing and telling personal and fictional stories. His stories are infused with equity and social change themes. He founded “Queers in Your Ears” a LGBTQI storytelling event. Rico has facilitated workshops on how to use the art of storytelling in educational settings, Community and Health Promotion Agencies.

Joanne has worked in the live Canadian arts scene for over 15 years, across many genres, including stand-up and storytelling from Vancouver to Toronto. She has written and performed in three solo shows and her third, She Grew Funny, premiered to sold-out audiences at the 2017 Toronto Fringe Festival, where it was the Factory Theatre Studio Patron’s Pick and one of Now Magazine’s Outstanding New Plays. She currently hosts the storytelling podcast, "Happy Funny Amazing"; available across most podcasting platforms.

Clever and charming with a self-deprecating wit, Ryan Dillon has quickly gained recognition from critics and peers as a comic to watch. 

Born in St. John's Newfoundland, Ryan got his start with the Canadian Improv Games in high school before moving to Toronto to pursue a career in comedy. In his first few months doing stand-up he was selected for the Tim Sim's Fresh Meat Showcase at The Second City. His one man show, "Collapse" earned him critical praise and awards and a sold out run at the Toronto Fringe Festival. He's been featured on JFL, Kevin Hart's LOL Network, a finalist for SiriusXM's Tom Comic at JFL42, Winnipeg Comedy Fest and more. His debut album "Violently Nice" went to #1 on ITunes & can be heard on the JFL channel on SiriusXM. 

Christel Bartelse is an actor, writer, producer, clown, teacher and comedian, known for her five solo shows which have toured across Canada, the US and twice to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  She is the creator of the Podcast all KIDding and cohost/coproducer of Chris and Christel’s Collection at the Peacock Pub. She’s terrible at updating her website but check her out at christelbartelse.com

Briane Nasimok is a Gemini-nominated writer, comedian, producer and the creator/performer of Fringe favourite, “Confessions of an Operatic Mute”. A current member of the Storytelling Toronto Board, his television credits range from YTV’s “Uh Oh” to MTV’s “Test Pattern”.  Briane had a previous career as a Canadian film star, which is why most people don’t know him.   He also has a website – brianenasimok.com.