Sketchfest Strikes Back!

Don't sit down with a diaper on.

That is one key lesson I learned recently during my favorite week of the year, the Alberta Sketchfest. If the name didn't hint towards it, Sketchfest is a three day festival featuring sketch comedy and "fringe"-style performances right in my hometown of Red Deer, Alberta. We had acts come in from as far away as Winnipeg and Los Angeles. My improv/sketch troupe Veal Skit also represented for the second year in a row.

Sketchfest 2.0!

Last year, for the debut of 'Fest, it was also a bit of a debut for Veal Skit. Three months prior, we had just produced our first sketch comedy show. We were able to use some of our best sketches in the festival, and we did just fine, but I think I speak for all of us in saying that we were "just happy to be there". The talent on display from the other groups was fantastic, and just being a part of such a show was it's own reward.

This year's version was going to be very different, not just for Veal Skit, but for me. If last year was our debut, this one would be our coming out party. Throughout the previous season, we had produced three sketch revues that we took a lot of pride in. We sort of knew what we were doing now, and we had the confidence to do it bigger and better than before. Our whole cast was able to show the packed house just how much we'd improved, and it felt awesome.

 I know for me personally, I had a ton of growth as a writer and performer, and have moved through at least some of my insecurities of being able to work on the level of the talent around me. For a large part of my first two seasons, I constantly had to keep convincing myself that I belonged. When promoting our shows, I'd often say "Come! There'll be tons of great, funny people there, and I'll be there too!". I didn't feel like I was pulling my weight with the others in my own group sometimes, let alone being at a festival with some of the best acts in Western Canada and beyond. I was always afraid that I was just being dragged along behind other, more talented people.

Throughout all that though, I never stopped working hard to improve myself. I wanted to be a more useful member of my company, and be relied upon to deliver whatever my group needs from me. With the help of some great workshops that Jenna (our director) organized, and the support of the troupe and my family, I'm feeling like I CAN be that now. At least more often. With one exciting new addition to Sketchfest, I was about to test exactly how much I'd improved!

DK Reinemer was our guest from LA, and he wanted to try something crazy. Called "Collabojamma", it was a group comprised of some of the participants of the festival, working together for the first time. I didn't want to miss the chance to be a part of it, so I signed up. Basically, on the Friday of the festival, DK explained his company's creative process, and we utilized it to come up with some sketch premises. The following morning we wrote them. Eight hours later, we put on twenty minutes of hilarious sketches that didn't even exist the day before. Mind. Blown.

The Collabojamma Set List

The best part of this whole thing was that with the compressed timeline, you didn't have time to question yourself, or change your mind about something last minute, because it was ALL last minute. You had to dive in, give every step of the process your best work, and trust that it would be enough. There was no other option. I realize looking back that a year ago, I would never have survived this. Well, I wouldn't have DIED, but I wouldn't have brought much to the table, and the others would have had to pick up my slack. But I really felt like I delivered, and added to this amazing thing we created together. I'm so grateful for the chance to tackle something so challenging with such a great, supportive group! 

Team Collabojamma. I'm the weirdo in the back. DK is Mr. Solo Cup.

Yeah, I learned a lot about adult diapers, but I learned more than just that. Bring on Bull Skit Season Nine. I'm ready.

-Cupid Cop