Humber’s Comedy: Writing and Performance diploma program helps you develop your craft while gaining an understanding of the commercial side of the industry. Our faculty is comprised of skilled, award-winning professionals who are active in the comedy industry. You’ll learn stand-up, improvisation, scriptwriting, sketch comedy and other aspects of the craft. In addition, the program’s strong alumni network supports you through reunion shows, business opportunities and continued coaching. The program features many mainstage class shows, weekly Humber student shows at Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club and an organized end-of-year showcase for students. Upon graduation, you will have the tools you need to embark on an exciting career in one of North America’s fastest growing industries: comedy.
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
Produce a variety of comedic materials including sketches, screenplays, sitcoms and variety shows.
Prepare and perform stand-up comedy routines.
Discover their comedic voices and create materials that stem from these voices.
Study both dramatic and comedic performance techniques, and apply those techniques to their own work.
Prepare written humorous materials for magazines and newspapers as well as for radio broadcasts.
Practice individual and ensemble comedic performances both in the classroom and in comedy centres.
Apply the technical requirements of all genres of comedic writing.
Respond to improvisation demands and create characters quickly on stage.
Evaluate the business of comedy and develop career strategies and contacts.
Learn from well-known North American comedic writers and performers and network with those individuals.
Develop team-building and communication skills and engage in exercises that encourage self-understanding, peer respect and professional behaviours.
Kids In the Hall's Kevin McDonald spent a week with our 2nd-year Comedy Students, helping them perfect their sketches and writing for the Monday Night Comedy Bar Show.
We are proud to partner with one of Toronto's premier comedy venues, Yuk Yuk's.
Students also get access to top level comedians from across Canada and the US in our PrimeTime speaker series, featuring guests such as Bruce McCulloch and Kevin McDonald of Kids in the Hall, Maria Bamford and Tom Green.
An accomplished, award-winning member of Canada's theatre and film/TV scenes, Melody's work as performer, writer and director is recognized coast to coast to coast at such prestigious institutions as the Stratford Festival, Tarragon Theatre, and Second City (Toronto and Chicago). Melody is also a voice actor on seasons one and two of Treehouse TV's Agent Binky and the award-winning Ketterkenny, among other commercial work. Selected TV: Slings & Arrows, Michael Tuesdays and Thursdays, in addition to originating many roles in Canadian theatre (with over ten Dora nominations and one win). Melody's play Miss Caledonia has toured extensively across Canada and the UK, and will enjoy productions at two other major Canadian theatres for the 2021/22 season. For more information visit melodyjohnson.ca.
Christel Bartelse is a multi disciplinary artist based in Toronto. As an actor, storyteller, writer, producer, clown, teacher and comedian, she is mostly known for her six solo shows which she created, wrote, performed and produced and they have toured across Canada, the US and the UK. She is the creator of the Podcast All KIDding Aside, and cohost/coproducer of Chris and Christel’s Collection, a multi disciplinary variety cabaret. She is also the Co-Producer and Co-Host of the monthly storytelling show But That's Another Story, with Briane Nasimok. She is highly regarded in the Storytelling Community. Christel is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory Program, the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, has studied with numerous teachers from around the Globe in dance, improv, physical comedy, theatrical clown) and is a 4 time Canadian Comedy Award Nominee. She has been a faculty at Humber College for over ten years teaching physical comedy. She's also a highly regarded guest instructor in numerous schools around the GTA. She strives to create physical based shows with a universal message. She thrives on teaching students self expression, creativity, movement and physicality and giving them the tools to create their own work. She's terrible at updating her website but in case- www.christelbartelse.com
Andrew Clark is an award-winning author and humourist. He writes the weekly Road Sage column for The Globe and Mail. He is the co-ordinator of the Humber College Comedy program in Toronto.
He has won a gold award and been nominated several times for his writing at the National Magazine Awards, and was nominated for a Governor General’s Literary Award in the English-language non-fiction category for his most recent book, A Keen Soldier: The Execution of Second World War Private Harold Pringle. In the 1990s, he became Canada’s first full-time comedy critic and his first book, Stand and Deliver: Inside Canadian Comedy, remains the standard for writing critically about comedy. As a freelance journalist, he has written for publications including The Globe and Mail, The Walrus, McSweeney's, Maclean’s and The New York Times Magazine.
Robin began her career improvising, writing and performing sketch comedy at Second City Theatre in Toronto. Since then she has written and performed on television’s SCTV and SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, she most recently appeared for three seasons on FX’s MAN SEEKING WOMAN, and as Wendy from the Blouse Barn on SCHITT’S CREEK.
Her Film work includes the classic Harold Ramis comedy GROUNDHOG DAY.
Robin continues to write with, perform and co-produce the all-woman SKETCH comedy troupe WOMEN FULLY CLOTHED. Since 2004, WFC have successfully toured Canada, the US and the Edinburgh Fringe festival to sold out houses and rave reviews.
She recently completed a Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Nonfiction at King’s College in Halifax. She hopes to complete her memoir; My Funny Life and Improvising Through It, by Spring 2021.
Her awards include, a Star on Canada’s Walk of Fame for her work on SCTV, and Emmy nomination for writing on Saturday Night Live and the David Broadfoot Comic Genius Award.
Larry Horowitz spent 47 years performing stand-up comedy all around the world. For the last 20 years he has doubled as a full-time professor in the Humber College Comedy Program. Larry rode his career into film & countless television shows; he is the author of three books and has also completed six major motion picture scripts winning standing in numerous film festivals. Currently, Larry is executive producer on CUP OF CHEER, a movie for release in 2021.
Larry teaches all aspects of stand-up comedy: Composition, performances, business and ethics. Being one of the founding performers/investors of The Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club chain, Larry has arranged an ongoing weekly show there exclusively for his Humber comedy students giving them live stage time at
Lisa Merchant is an award-winning improvisor. She has performed and taught improvisation nationally and internationally for 30-plus years. She is a senior faculty member with The Second City Training Centre and The Second City Works division, and an ongoing program director with York University Osgoode Law Professional Development. She created, produced and performed March of Dames, a weeklong all-female comedy festival that ran for 10 years.
She is a multiple nominee and winner of four Canadian Comedy Awards, three for Best Female Improvisor. Lisa was a cast member of the Gemini-nominated Joe Blow Show. When not improvising, she shows up on various television programming, Murdoch Mysteries, American Gods, Degrassi XV, Train 48... In addition to performing numerous improv shows around Toronto and across Canada, she performs monthly in the award-winning Monkey Toast, the live improvised talk show, now in its 19th year.
She delivered improv-focused workshops to some of the Canadian Olympic Team hopefuls for the London 2012 Summer Games as well as Sochi 2014 Winter Games.
“Taking improv with Lisa Merchant was a game changer for me. It not only helped me be a better communicator, it made me a better person. I learned fundamental ideas that I still apply to this day. Over ten years after taking that original class, I invited Lisa to come and speak to the 2012 Canadian Olympic team to give them a competitive advantage. Such is the value of what she has to teach.”
- Mark Tewksbury, Olympic Champion and 2012 Canadian Olympic Team Chef de Mission
Award Highlights
Comedy is an art and a business, one at which many Canadians excel. You may join their illustrious ranks with opportunities to work in stand-up comedy, sitcom/film performance, production, broadcasting, advertising and voiceovers, sketch comedy, and writing. Humber comedy graduates have found work on stage at Yuk Yuk’s, Second City and Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival; on major television networks such as Comedy Central, CBC and CTV; and in many major television commercials. Other grads have branched into advertising, journalism, public relations and related fields.
Creative Writing - Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Poetry
Credential: Ontario Graduate Certificate
Length: 2 semesters
Television Writing and Producing
Credential: Ontario Graduate Certificate
Length: 2 semesters
Watch the video to see how the Humber’s Comedy: Writing and Performance diploma program helps you hone your craft while gaining an understanding of the commercial side of the industry.
Grad Feature: Cassandra DePetrillo
Wed, April 07, 2021
Cassandra DePetrillo has been working in the film and television industry since she graduated from the Film and Television Production program in 2011.
Grad Feature: Anne Logan
Wed, April 07, 2021
Anne Logan graduated from the Creative Book Publishing program in 2008 and has been involved in the Canadian book industry for the past 12 years.
No news at this time.
Fall Scholarships
Humber
Mon, August 08, 2022 to Sun, September 18, 2022
We are happy to share that the Fall scholarships will launch on August 8th and will close on September 18th.
Senior Dean Update: Media & Creative Arts Anti-Racism Action Plan
Fri, October 15, 2021
In June 2020, I committed the FMCA to seven action items to address the attitudes, behaviours and structures that act as barriers for students from Indigenous and equity-deserving communities.
No news at this time.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
Applicants must meet all the requirements below in order to meet minimum program eligibility. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission. Admission decisions will be available via MyHumber, or by email and mail. Admission decisions will not be released by phone.
To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:
or
or
An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.
An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.
An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.
An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.
An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.
An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.
Applicants will perform a short theatrical monologue.
Applicants will perform two minutes of original standup comedy. There are no restrictions on topics or language.
Applicants can submit a comic writing sample. The writing sample may be a sketch (2-5 pages), scene (2-5 pages) or short story (400-1000 words).
All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.
Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a WES or ICAS evaluation.
Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please enter your location or choose detect my location to see the requirements for your country below.
Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).
Fees are subject to change.
Fees by Semester
Domestic Fees International FeesSemester 1 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $2,329.94 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $300.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $3,158.56 |
Semester 2 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $2,329.94 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $300.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $3,158.56 |
Semester 3 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $2,329.94 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $300.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $3,158.56 |
Semester 4 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $2,329.94 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $300.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $3,158.56 |
Semester 1 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $7,368.38 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $300.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $8,197.00 |
Semester 2 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $7,368.38 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $300.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $8,197.00 |
Semester 3 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $7,368.38 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $300.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $8,197.00 |
Semester 4 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $7,368.38 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $300.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $8,197.00 |
*Plus Mandatory Health Insurance fee once per academic year: Fall start - $420 Winter start - $280 Summer start - $140
Find out more about scholarships and bursaries that you may be eligible for, visit Student Scholarships. International students can visit International Student Scholarships.
Bursaries are available for Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs primarily based on financial need, visit Humber Bursaries.
Find out more information about external scholarships and bursaries, visit External Awards.
Humber offers a variety of bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students, visit Indigenous Student Awards.
Humber Pathways include:
Phone: 416-675-5000
Email: enquiry@humber.ca
Sign-up for more info on Humber, including programs, special events and more!
Andrew Clark, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 79031
andrew.clark@humber.ca
Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program. To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber's program pages or ontariocolleges.ca.
If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.
Additional information will be made available to students from their program before the beginning of the Winter term. Courses with in-person requirements will likely also have online components. The delivery mode of some courses is still being determined. Humber may need to change plans for in-person learning, subject to government and public health directives and/or additional health and safety considerations.
You can find a complete list of programs with downloads including program and course details at Current Student Resources
Students in programs marked as online/in-person will have a combination of those two types of delivery. Additional information will be made available to students from their program in the first week of June. Courses with in-person requirements will likely also have online components. The delivery mode of some courses is still being determined. Humber may need to change plans for in-person learning, subject to government and public health directives and/or additional health and safety considerations.