Besides fine founding members like Pat Thornton, Gary Rideout Jr., Tal Zimerman, Bob Kerr and Holly Prazoff, the Sketchersons have produced plenty of other first-rate comics. The current cast includes promising talents like Jon Blair, Ian MacIntyre and Brendan Halloran, but here are a bunch of alumni you’ve probably already heard about.
Nikki Payne
One of the best stand-ups around – she recently won the Canadian Comedy Award for comedy person of the year – Payne honed her sketch skills with the company, which obviously helped when it came time to do TV’s The Nikki Payne Show.
Susan King
Jason DeRosse
The current Second City Mainstage company member isn’t afraid of big, ballsy choices, something he obviously learned with the Sketchersons.
Gilson Lubin
Lubin continues to be a great stand-up comic, but the collaborative nature of sketch probably came in handy for his writing and on-air segments for MTV Canada.
Inessa Frantowski
This founding member of the troupe went on to become one of the most memorable recent performers on the Second City mainstage, unafraid to use her natural physical ability to get a laugh.
Carly Heffernan
An invaluable member of the current Second City mainstage, Heffernan is expert at playing high-status buffoons like jaded TV execs or cocky Toronto cops.