This week, Josh talks to Jana Gillis about NL Sketchfest, moving from Newfoundland to Toronto and back, and so much more. NL Sketchfest runs at the Hub in Saint John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador from April 3 through April 7. Follow them on Instagram at @nlsketchfest. Jana will be performing at NL Sketchfest in Saint John’s on Sunday, April 7 in the…

This week, Josh talks to Grace Fennell (Grace and the Gang) about cease and desists, wanting to be the star, and more. Grace and the Gang is performing at DC Sketchfest Thursday, March 21 at 7:30 at the DC Improv along with Pressed from Chicago and Maple Daddies from Seattle. Tickets are sold out. Here in Philly, Philly Sketchfest Presents, on Frid…

This week, Josh talks to Kristi Schaffner about dancing in Oklahoma, becoming a pirate, and Forevermore. Forevermore is performing at DC Sketchfest Wednesday, March 20, at the DC Arts Center in the 7:30 block along with Bring Your Own Bob. But then Forevermore and Bring Your Own Bob are coming here to Philly on Friday, March 22. Philly Sketchfest P…

This week, Josh talks to Yena Frick about Maddy Night Live, Galentine’s Day, and the comedy scene in Baltimore. You can see Yena’s group, Forevermore Sketch, at DC Sketchfest on Wednesday, March 20, in the 7:30 block along with Bring Your Own Bob at the DC Arts Center. And if you live in Philly, Forevermore and Bring Your Own Bob will both be comin…

This week, Josh talks to TNutt (@inactionnetwork) about moving to Philly, being an extrovert, and coming back after the pandemic. February 28, Sketch Ball featuring InAction Network and Jai Nim doing some musical comedy to open up. 730pm at Plays and Players Skinner Studio on the third floor. $15 tickets available at sketchballphilly.com/tickets Yo…

This week, Josh talks to Ben Maher about starting Philly Sketchfest, a life behind the scenes in comedy, and so much more. Philly Sketchfest 2024 is coming, May 31-June 8. Submissions open on February 1 at phillysketchfest.com. Come to Cutthroat Sketch: Heart at Sawubona on February 1 at 730pm. Tickets available at cutthroatsketch.com/tickets. Sket…

This week, Josh talks to Chase Jeffels about learning clowning in Paris, rediscovering video work during the pandemic, and joining two sketch teams since then. Follow Chase’s sketch teams on Instagram at @west2westcomedy and @20dollarsandwich. You can follow Chase on Instagram at @chase.jeffels and on TikTok at @chasejeffels. West 2 West is heading…

This week, Josh talks to John Taylor about teaching drama, Try-Racial, and Schoolin’ Around. John and the rest of Try-Racial are heading to Montreal Sketchfest, performing Friday, May 5 in the 10pm slot at Montreal Improv along with Sproink and Oink from Montreal and Cheap Wine from Toronto. Tickets and more information are available at montrealske…

This week, Josh talks to Vivek Srikanthan (Try-Racial) about Second City, Schoolin’ Around, and so much more. Viv and the rest of Try-Racial are heading to Montreal Sketchfest, performing Friday, May 5 in the 10pm slot at Montreal Improv along with Sproink and Oink from Montreal and Cheap Wine from Toronto. Tickets and more information are availabl…

This week, Josh talks to Rachel Niswander (Rails Comedy) about college comedy, creating a sketch team to get out of trouble, and moving to New York. Rails Comedy will be hosting Sketch Comedy Spectacular this Saturday, April 29, at 8pm at the DC Arts Center, with sets from Bad Medicine and The Character Show. Tickets are available at railscomedy.co…

This week, Josh talks to Bethany Stokes (@bethanysalright) about madrigal choirs, college a cappella, and competitive improv. Bad Medicine will be performing a set on Saturday, April 29, at Sketch Comedy Spectacular along with Rails Comedy and The Character Show. It’s an 8pm show at DC Arts Center. Tickets are available at railscomedy.com. Then, on…

This week, Josh talks to Elizabeth Leff about starting in New York City, continuing in DC, and finding a scene in New York state. Lots of Feelings will be performing along with Amanda Xeller at Bad Medicine Presents this Saturday, March 18, in the Lounge at the DC Improv in Washington DC, for two shows at 7 and 9:30. Tickets are available at dcimpr…

This week, Josh talks to Bobby Cohoat (Lots of Feeling, Washington DC) about moving from Chicago to DC, finding comedy there, and toy thrones. Lots of Feelings will be performing along with Amanda Xeller at Bad Medicine Presents this Saturday, March 18, at the DC Improv in the Lounge in Washington DC, for two shows at 7 and 9:30. Tickets are availa…

This week, Josh talks to Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller (Don Valley Girls, Toronto, ON) about The Bob at Toronto University, clowning, and being ready to take a break. Fateema and the rest of Don Valley Girls will be performing twice at Toronto Sketchfest. First, as part of the Curator Program: with Manifest Destiny’s Child and Tita Collective, curated…

This week, Josh talks to Elizabeth Hicks (Mom’s Girls in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador) about new drama, comedy acting, and the guidance counselor with an Etsy shop. Elizabeth and the rest of Mom’s Girls will be heading to Toronto for Toronto Sketchfest for two shows. First, on Friday, March 10 at 7pm with Birdie, then Saturday, March 11 at…

This week, Josh talks to Anesti Danelis about Edinburgh Fringe, gaining confidence as a solo act, and pandemic electronic music. Anesti is performing multiple times at Toronto Sketchfest. Starting with the Opening Night Gala Thursday, March 9 at Theatre Centre, starting at 7pm; Saturday, March 11 at Comedy Bar at 7pm along with The Nitro Girls from…

This week, Josh talks to Allison Moira Kelly (Mom’s Girls from St. John’s, NL) about theater, the floordrobe, and the ridiculousness of the English language. Allison and the rest of Mom’s Girls will be heading to Toronto for Toronto Sketchfest for two shows. First, on Friday, March 10 at 7pm with Birdie, then Saturday, March 11 at 9pm with Boy Girl…

This week, Josh talks to Emily Milling (Big Chick Energy, based in Toronto) about suspicious view counts, pandemic projects, and job hopping. Emily and the rest of Big Chick Energy will be performing at The Sunday Funnies at The Rivoli on Sunday, February 26 at 7pm. Tickets are available on EventBrite. Big Chick Energy will be performing two shows …

This week, Josh talks to Gerald Yeung (Crunchy Tigers in Toronto) about gaining life experience, pro wrestling and comedy, and stereotypes. Gerald and the rest of Crunchy Tigers will host their monthly show (this one’s called Cheap Chocolate, Cheap Laughs) at The Social Capital Theater, Friday, February 24 at 8:30pm. Tickets are available at tinyur…

This week, Josh talks to Stef Curran (Mom’s Girls from St. Johns, NL) about gaining a voice in the room, dad rock, and how Newfoundland and Florida might not be so different. Mom’s Girls will be heading to Toronto for Toronto Sketchfest for two shows. First, on Friday, March 10 at 7pm with Birdie, then Saturday, March 11 at 9pm with Boy Girl Party …

This week, Josh talks to Alicia Carrick (Big Chick Energy in Toronto) about the cult of comedy, starting with a troupe right before the shutdown, and the awfulness of Zoom comedy. Alicia and the rest of Big Chick Energy will be performing at The Sunday Funnies at The Rivoli on Sunday, February 26 at 7pm. Big Chick Energy will be performing two show…

This week, Josh talks to Colin Mahan (The Great Difficulties) about Die Hard, impressions, and auditioning for SNL. Colin is doing a solo show called Colin Mahan: Himselves on Friday, February 3 at the PianoFight’s Second Stage along with Goldbaby from LA and Strong Male Leads from Austin, TX. The Great Difficulties, Colin’s duo with Mike Spiegelma…

This week, Josh talks to Mike Spiegelman (@spiegelmania, The Great Difficulties) about public access tv, the beginnings of SF Sketchfest, and laundry baskets. Mike’s podcast, LWAFLMOYT, is available wherever you find podcasts. The Great Difficulties will be performing at SF Sketchfest along with Please Leave the Bronx on Sunday, February 5 at 8pm P…

This week, Josh talks to Seann Cantatore about the intersection of music and comedy. Seann Cantatore will be performing at Philly Sketchfest on Friday, October 21 in the 10pm block. Tickets available at phillysketchfest.com. On Saturday, October 22, she heads to Washington DC to perform at the DC Arts Center with Rails Comedy. Then October 28 and 2…

This week, Josh talks to Amanda Xeller about character work, directing, and villains. Amanda will be performing at Philly Sketchfest on Friday, October 21 in the 7pm block along with Crying Alone in the Shower. For tickets, head to phillysketchfest.com. Follow her on Instagram at @wildladypegpegpeg; on Twitter at @AmandaXeller. In addition to her a…

This week, Josh talks to Mike Bock (@bockmj) about the Simpsons, the postCovid comedy scene, and choose your own adventure. You can see Mike Bock and Friends perform at Bad Medicine Presents Sketch Night along with Trash Bang from Richmond VA at the DC Improv in Washington DC on Saturday, June 18. Two shows 7 and 930. Tickets are available at dcimp…

This week, Josh talks to Maricris Rivera (of Tita Collective from Toronto, Ontario, Canada) about musicals. We talk a lot about musicals. But then comedy. Maricris and the rest of Tita Collective are heading to Montreal Sketchfest (montrealsketchfest.com) to perform new material on May 13 and the Tita Jokes show on May 15. Then, heading to Peterbor…

This week, Josh talks to Jack Creaghan (Cheap Wine based in Toronto) about the differences of Toronto and New York, getting a bit of momentum right before a pandemic hits, and working with both a sibling and a fiancee. You can follow Cheap Wine on Instagram at @itscheapwine and on Facebook at facebook.com/itscheapwine. Cheap Wine is performing at M…

This week, Josh talks to Anika Hurdal (Bring Your Own Juice from Montreal) about the love and embarrassment of improv, first year students writing sketches, and meeting Meryl Streep’s daughter. Bring Your Own Juice will perform at Montreal Sketchfest’s Opening Night with Third Husbands, Cheap Wine, Dreamboat, and Milwaukee on Thursday, May 5 at 8pm…

This week, Josh talks to Alia Rasul (Tita Collective)about Barrel Man, Kung Pow Enter the Fist, and doing the hard work to push for inclusion. Tita Collective is heading to Ottawa this weekend April 29 & 30, to perform their show, Tita Jokes, at Ottawa Fringe’s undercurrents festival. Then, Tita Collective goes to Montreal Sketchfest to perform new…

This week, Josh talks to Marc Hallworth about engineering, Heritage Park, and Vest of Friends. See Vest of Friends at Montreal Sketchfest on Thursday, May 12 at 8pm with Emery Fine and Yes, Chef. Learn more at montrealsketchfest.com. Like Vest of Friends on Facebook at facebook.com/vestoffriends. Come to Sketchubator on Zoom on April 29. Check out …

This week, Josh talks to J.P. McElyea about Bad Medicine, Something Rotten, and Rowan Atkinson. Follow Bad Medicine on Instagram at @badmedicinedc. Check out their website at badmedicinecomedy.com. And subscribe to their podcast, Sketch Nerds, wherever you get your podcasts. Bad Medicine is hosting Sketch Nerds, featuring Philly’ High Dramma and DC…

This week, Josh talks to Jason Singer (High Dramma) about thinking acting was an easy A, thinking surreally and not writing, and thinking teamwork. You can like Jason’s troupe, High Dramma, on Facebook at facebook.com/highdramma and check out their video work at youtube.com/highdramma. That’s 2 M’s in dramma. High Dramma will be performing in Washi…

This week, Josh talks to Chelsea Larkin (@chelslark66 on TikTok) about Li’l Rasgals, wetting the bed to watch SNL, and Drake at the DeGrassi prom. Chelsea Larkin is making her solo sketch debut with The Chels Stands Alone on Friday, March 25 in the 830 block. For tickets, go to torontosketchfest.com. You can follow her on Instagram at @chelslark an…

This week, Josh talks to Veronica Dang (@modelmajority) about Lucille Ball, an overwhelming response when you want to start a sketch team, and doing background for SNL. Follow Model Majority on all social platforms at @modelmajority and go to modelmajority.com. See Model Majority during Toronto Sketchfest’s Screen Time Edition on Thursday 3/24 at 7…

This week, Josh talks to Emily Richardson (@emrich44 on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok) about gaining the confidence to audition for sketch comedy, writing about celebrity news, and getting reposted by Lil Nas X to go viral. You can see Emily’s work during Toronto Sketchfest’s Screen Time Edition on Mar 26 at 8:30 pm. She will also be participating…

This week, Josh talks to Rena Taylor (@reenerdog on Instagram) about Joy Provision, the disappointment of theater school, and sad little yankee comedians. Follow Joy Provision on Instagram at @joy.provision. Rena hosts a weekly standup show at Wenona Craft Beer Lodge in Toronto called Wenona Ride’r Die every Thursday night. Tickets are available at…

This week, Josh talks to Evan Forde Barden (Young Douglas) about comedy in Covid, college improv, Fire Marshall Bill, and the comedy scene restarting in New York. Follow Young Douglas on Instagram at @youngdouglascomedy. See Acorns at the Squirrel Theater at Caveat every Monday at 730pm. Check out thesquirrelnyc.com for more on those shows. Sketchu…

This week, Josh talks to Bob Beshere (Trouble with Shapes) about watching Empty Nest, becoming a nerdcore rapper, and evolving as a comedy writer. Check out Trouble with Shapes on Instagram at @tws_comedy and live and in person at the Idiot Box (idiotboxers.com) in Greensboro, NC, on July 17. The next Sketchubator will be July 9: find out more at s…

This week, Josh talks to Emmy Serviss about Suzzy, comedy in Boston, and she introduces to a tv sketch show Josh had never heard of before. You can find Suzzy on Facebook at @suzzyboston. Suzzy is performing in a virtual show with the Jean Paul Bros this Saturday, July 11th at 8pm. Find out more information at theriottheater.com. Don’t forget about…

This week, Josh talks to Dylan Sharp (Dang Dumb) about comedy in Edmonton, the future, and how improv helps him in the real world. You can like Dang Dumb on Facebook at facebook.com/dangdumb and on Instagram at @dangdumbcomedy. The next Sketchubator, our online sketch comedy open mic, will take place on Friday, June 26 at 10pm eastern. All the info…

I had intended to take a pause, like so many other podcasts, to allow for different voices and the bigger issues to be heard. Then, I remembered a chat I had with Briyana Clarel about their work with The Starfruit Project. Let's revisit a bit of that chat and learn more about The Starfruit Project. And remember: Black Lives Matter.…

This week, Josh talks to Kelly Turner about Dang Dumb, improv to sketch, and comedy in Edmonton. You can like Dang Dumb on Facebook at facebook.com/dangdumb and on Instagram at @dangdumbcomedy. Don’t forget about Sketchubator, the sketch comedy incubator we’ve been hosting on Zoom every other week. The next one is May 29th at 10pm eastern/7pm pacif…

This week, Josh talks to Craig Scorgie (@thewowcomedy) about starting a sketch troupe in high school, learning how to write on the fly, and taking the step into producing shows. You can follow Craig’s sketch group, The Wow, all over social media at @thewowcomedy. I’ve also posted two of the shows we talked about during the episode in the blog secti…

This week, Josh talks to Jacquie Baker about The Flat Earth, The Incredible Shrinking Matt and Jacquie, and a whole bunch more. Check out some of my favorite sketches and videos from Jacquie’s comedy life at myfirstsketch.com/blog. You can like the choir Jacquie sings with at facebook.com/AnnaCrusisChoir. For more information about Sketchubator, ou…

This week, Josh talks to John D. Babcock (Sketchworks in Atlanta, GA) about college sketch comedy, working in a remote writer’s room, and getting sued by a big Broadway show. Give Sketchworks a like on Facebook at facebook.com/sketchworkscomedy, where they’re posting a bunch of sketches from their history. And then sketchworkscomedy.com for all the…

This week, guest host Julia Hudson talks to normal host Josh Higham in this "lost episode" about ripping off SNL, learning about comedy in his hometown, and the key of context. Continue listening to My First Sketch, and stay safe out there. I can't wait until we can laugh together again.بقلم My First Sketch

بقلم My First Sketch

بقلم My First Sketch

بقلم My First Sketch