Program
Are you ready for 2.0?
We are so thrilled to present the second installment of our annual SPRING THING variety cabaret series.
Having the chance to once again celebrate renewal and rebirth in this special way is a true delight for us.
We hope you enjoy THING ONE & THING TWO and thanks for joining us at WTF!
— Alicia & Byron
SPECIAL THANKS
This event was made possible by the kindness and support of a wide range of amazing people, groups and organizations.
Dave McKay/Sketchy The Clown
William Nishri
Sonia Vaillant
Sweet Action Theatre Team
Gord Neill
Josh Bonnici
Victoria Sepejak-Watson
Youngplace
Social Arts Studio Space
The Notable Group
Blondies Pizza - Ossignton
The Legacy Cabaret
Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts
Toronto Fringe Festival
Generator
Our Volunteers
Amy J Lester
Vanita Butrsingkorn
Annie Skelding
Netti D’Urzo
And everyone who came out to play!
DID YOU KNOW?
There is an exciting NEW award for the best #Drag, #Clown or #Puppetry show at this year’s Toronto Fringe Festival.
Learn more on our COMMUNITY page!
THING ONE
MORRO AND JASP
[HOSTS/CLOWN]
Morro and Jasp have been creating and performing together for over 20 years. They have written 12 full-length shows, toured the globe, hosting countless events, and created web videos, books and video games. They have received numerous accolades including a Canadian Comedy Award and a Dora Award. They are currently in development for their next show No Sh!t Sherlock. @morroandjasp
Ring ring, It’s Archie Called! This drag king takes pride in being a cartoonish fool. He’s boldly strange. He’s campy and bizarre. His name is Archie Called, but you can call him... anytime. @archiecalled
ARCHIE CALLED
[DRAG/KITTEN]
KEZ VICARIO-ROBINSON
[PUPPETRY/DRAG]
Kez is a trans, genderqueer comedian/artistic performer from Kitchener ON. They are a puppeteering-drag-clown and homeschooled jester. They work for the Canadian Improv Games, teaching improv and performance skills to teens across the country! They have been featured at JFL42, Guelph Comedy Festival, and the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. @kezver, @kezbo_drag
CHRISTOPHER BUG
[CLOWN]
A clown risks everything to save its best friend Bob, the life-sized puppet, during a raging battlefield.
This International drag king has been doing drag for way too long! Is a big nerd and is starting a new collective called Queer Nerd Collective where we do events that blend interactive aspects, Social connection and our favourite nerdy pastimes! You Can Find him at the Fringe as a part of FRAT HAUS and is generally just a Silly little guy. @itsdeverybess
DEVERY BESS
[BURLESQUE]
Kayla Subica is a singer, actor, musical improviser and medium. A Happy Medium! @subwaytarotreader, @Kaylasubica
KAYLA SUBICA
[MAGIC]
ROBIN POLFUSS
[PUPPTERY/DRAG]
Robin is a storyteller, puppet builder and puppeteer at Festivals and events, and has been making short films for Slams and Youtube. She teaches puppet building & performing workshops. Long, long ago she did Drag King shows and is thrilled to now combine drag and puppetry. @rorosock
GAY COWBOYS
[BURLESQUE/CLOWN]
Dolly Wilde and Ingrid Moonshine are a Toronto-based burlesque duo both on and off stage. Fusing the perfect balance of queer clown, comedy, and sizzling chemistry, they are sure to lasso your heart. Both Dolly and Ingrid hold BFAs in theatre and work professionally in the Canadian Theatre sector. They also co-produce The Burly Brunch, a series of burlesque brunches. Most recently they toured to Isle of Tease and Bagel Burlesque Expo. Their boots are on, their buckles are tightened and these two cowboys are ready to show you what the Wild(e) West is all about. @whoisdollywilde , @ingridmoonshine
Max Malada is a musician, performance artist, and drag king from Toronto. With a background in the arts of illustration, acting, and clown; he brings his haunted visions to life in music and on stage, reflecting a unique outsider perspective. @max_malada
MAX MALADA
[DRAG/CLOWN]
Hercinia Arts Collective’s Money Fish are a seriously silly acrobatic trio of fish-like synchronized swimmers - on land! They have been swimming through audiences since 2011 and have performed at the Dubai Comedy Festival, Montreal Clown Festival, Play the Fool in Edmonton and at street festivals all over Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Their upcoming full length show, Balls, Balls, Balls, will debut in full this summer at Winnipeg Fringe. @moneyfish3, @herciniarts
MONEY FISH (c/o HERICINA ARTS)
[CIRCUS/CLOWN]
THING TWO
KENNETH CHEUNG
[HOST]
Kenneth Cheung is a versatile performer who has brought his many talents in comedy, acting, and dance to stages across Canada and England, captivating audiences with his range. Beyond live performance, he has appeared in multiple TV series and films, continually pushing the boundaries of his creative expression across different mediums. @_kennethcheung
ANDREW GABOURY
[CLOWN/KITTEN]
Andrew Gaboury is an award-winning performer, writer and educator based in Port Credit, Mississauga. He is a Collaborating Artist with Frog in Hand, the Executive Director and a Therapeutic Clown Practitioner with Red Nose Remedy. He had worked closely with MABELLEarts to bring social therapeutic clowning to their various programs. @afieldofcrowns
LEO DRAGONIERI
[CLOWN/KITTEN]
Leo Dragonieri is an actor, clown and arts-educator from Toronto. He’s channeled his love of clown, mask and collective creation into his show “Piccolo’s Pasticcio.” He works as a Therapeutic Clown Practitioner at Holland Bloorview Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital where he helps ease the pain of inpatient clients through levity and joy. @leo_dragonieri, @commedia_deleo
SABIRA DAMIRA
[DRAG]
Sabira Damira stands up for what she believes in. An activist, energetic, and glamorous Palestinian queen eager to grow and dance in tune with the music. She had the privilege to perform for queer Arab fundraisers, and share culture and safe spaces with her heartfelt performances, energy, and drum playing techniques. @sabiradamira
RANDY BOOTS
[BURLESQUE]
Toronto-based Randy Boots has exposed himself to audiences across Southern Ontario with Cheap Thrills Cabaret. He’s performed at festivals in Saskatoon and Toronto, and is prepping for this year’s Atlantic Burlesque Festival. Randy always goes that extra inch to show the world his love of peeling, puns, props and puppets! @randyboots_to
TWO.2.MANGO
[BOUFFON]
Two.2.Mango blends improv, clowning, bouffon, and Indian classical dance to create thought-provoking performances. Their acclaimed show Colonial Circus has earned multiple awards. As founders of Hinprov, they aim to introduce new IBPOC voices to Toronto's comedy scene, celebrating humor in one's own language. @two.2.mango
SASKIA MULLER
[DRAG/PUPPETRY]
Saskia Muller (she/her) is a Toronto-based actor/creator and (recovering) pleasure to have in class. Today, she brings you this number which came into existence after she quit her arts admin job post a rewatch of The Muppet Movie. Sorry, thank you, and you’re welcome. @saskmonster
CHERRY BOMB
[CLOWN/BURLESQUE]
Cherry Bomb brings together the best of clown and burlesque to give you an explosively sensual performance that will be so hot it's stupid. @casscervi
FLEUR FATASIE
[DRAG]
Fleur Fatasie is a dynamic drag artist and spoken word performer using artistry to uplift and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. With a captivating presence and powerful storytelling, Fleur blends glamour, poetry, and activism to inspire change. @Fleur_Fantasie
CHROMAKAY
[DRAG/VIDEO]
If a background setting can be considered a character, would a green screen be a chameleon? Through drag performance and chroma key magic, CHROMAKAY uncovers the 4th wall, breaking down binaries and expectations. @makesomething.k
MORGAN JOY
[CLOWN/BURLESQUE]
Morgan Joy is a clown, a motion capture & voice artist and produces circus & comedy cabarets in the GTA. @peggy_plummer
DANI ZIMMER
[PUPPETRY/CLOWN]
Dani Zimmer is a puppeteer, actor, and creator who is always down to clown. @danizimmercreative
With a passion for crafting classic and signature gourmet pizzas with top quality toppings and ingredients, Blondies offers a unique dining experience that combines tradition with innovation.
Join them at 88 Ossington Ave today and embark on a journey of authenticity and creativity that will leave your taste buds craving for more.
OUR TEAM
SEANN MURRAY
[TECHNICIAN]
SEANN MURRAY (he/him) is a technician and improvisor originally from Fredericton, NB where he got his start with Theatre Free Radical. He's the interim technical director of Bad Dog Theatre, a Stage Manager at Second City Toronto and a member of award winning comedy troupe Sex T-Rex. He did not choose the font this was written in. @murrayseann
MONICA BRADFORD- LEA [MARKETING/OUTREACH]
Monica is a marketing specialist and project manager with 10+ years experience at organizations including Canada’s National Arts Centre and Tarragon Theatre.
She’s also a playwright, actor, producer, and co-founder of award-winning theatre company Spicy Day. Monica creates works that unite audiences in laughter, and provoke conversation about society. @spicy_day, @bethanne_horse.
LAUREN WELCHNER
[PATRON EXPERIENCE]
Lauren is an experienced Events Manager and co-founder of Popscotch Events, a women-run local events company that has been featured on Global News, City News, 98.1 CHFI Radio, and in the Toronto Star.
Outside of events, Lauren’s theatre work with Spicy Day, which she has co-created, performed, and produced, has won ‘Best Of Fringe’ in the Toronto Fringe Festival, been awarded ‘Critic’s Pick’ by Mooney On Theatre, and been nominated for a Prix Rideau Award for ‘Outstanding New Work’. @laurenwelchner
ALICIA DISTEFANO
[EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR]
Alicia has been active in Toronto’s clown community since 2010 after obtaining a Master of Arts degree in Theatre and Performance studies from York University. She is the artistic director of Pajama Cat Productions and has been the force behind Red Nose Cabaret since its creation in 2017.
In addition, Alicia has over ten years experience working as an event administrator and community engagement coordinator. She is passionate about various forms of clown and comedy, as well as providing opportunities for artists to showcase their talent and reach new audiences. @rednosecabaret
BYRON LAVIOLETTE
[ARTISTIC DIRECTOR]
Byron is a director with over twenty years experience working in the arts, the agency, the academy and the arcade.
Theatrically, he is the resident director of Pucking Fuppets with Adam Francis Proulx and has worked with the Summerworks Festival’s Audience Choice Winner Pearle Harbour and the 2014 Canadian Comedy Award and 2012 Dora Mavor Moore Award- winning clown duo Morro and Jasp.
Byron also holds a PhD in Interactive Theatre and Pervasive Transmedia Fiction from the Theatre and Performance Studies Department at York University.
