Theatre

The 6th Annual Grindstone Comedy Festival comes out swinging with Kenny vs Spenny, Jon Dore, Robby Hoffman & more at four Edmonton venues 
Catch a curated lineup of Stand-Up, Improv and Sketch from across Canada at Grindstone’s 6th Annual Comedy Festival, plus comedy competitions, workshops, parties and more.

Performances from July 2-6 at The Grindstone Theatre, the Howl & Roar Outdoor Stage (100st 81Ave), Maki Maki, and The Orange Hub Theatre.

Tickets starting at $15 at www.grindstonecomedyfest.com 

Shaking it Up: Improvising Shakespeare 

Shakespeare is hilarious. His plays are packed with sharp wit, clever wordplay, and some of the best sex jokes in history. He made poetry sound natural, which is why he’s still the most famous playwright in the world.

If you do improv, you’re going to run into Shakespeare scenes—a lot. This workshop is all about making them fun, easy, and believable. You’ll learn how to decode the language, find the rhythm, and bring out the comedy, so your Shakespearean improv scenes feel effortless and engaging.

Taught by Mat Mailandt, a trained theatre actor and professional comedian (Hamlet: Improvised (2012), Macbeth: Improvised (2025), Second City Faculty, this two-hour session will break down Shakespeare’s tricks and give you practical tools to confidently play in his style.

​Come ready to shake things up, experiment, and have fun with the Bard!

• Dates: June 4, 2025 from 7 - 9 pm 

• Location:  Grindstone Studio (9562 82 Ave NW) 

• Instructor: Mat Mailandt 

• Prerequisite:  Intermediate or Advanced Improvisers 

• Showcase:  There is no showcase for this class 

• Cost:  $150 (there is no early bird for this workshop) 

Dates: Jun 25, 2025 - Jul 30, 2025
Total of 6 sessions
Starts Jun 25
Cost: $381.60
Location: Orange Hub Black Box Theatre (10045 156 St, NW Edmonton)

Learn the fundamentals of improv in a fun and supportive environment. Students will build a strong foundation of self-acceptance, spontaneity, and playfulness as they learn to make up scenes on the spot. This class will focus on the basics of improv and how to get started as a performer. Join long-practicing improviser and teacher Cayley McConaghy for an engaging and high-energy experience.

www.grindstonetheatre.ca/service-page/improv-101b

Dates: Jun 23, 2025 - Jul 28, 2025
Total of 6 sessions
Starts Jun 23
$381.60
Orange Hub Black Box Theatre (10045 156 St, NW Edmonton)

This class is designed to get you feeling confident and comfortable being on stage, expressing yourself, and collaborating with other actors. It has the essential tools you need to start working on text, responding creatively to impulse, and sharing the action with the audience. Your instructor will create an engaging and supportive environment for you to strut your stuff! The class culminates in a public showcase.

www.grindstonetheatre.ca/service-page/improv-101a

Dates: Jun 26, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025
Total of 6 sessions
Starts Jun 26
Cost: $477
Location: Orange Hub Black Box Theatre (10045 156 St, NW Edmonton)

In this class, you’ll learn the basic structure of a short joke, how it works, and how you can write your own. Next, you’ll learn how that very same structure is applied to long-form jokes and comedic storytelling. This class is a good blend of the theoretical (how to write for stand-up), and the practical (how to perform it).

www.grindstonetheatre.ca/service-page/stand-up-101b

Dates: Aug 5, 2025 - Aug 8, 2025
Total of 4 sessions
Starts Aug 5
Location: Grindstone Studio (9562 82 Ave NW)

Master the art of physical comedy—where the falls are planned, but the laughs are always unexpected in our brand new Crash Course Comedy camp!

Physical comedy techniques and body awareness will bring your performance to a whole new level! Students will grow their confidence and performance skills through play with slapstick, voice and movement, and character development.

Join Diane Webb, educator, performer, and all-around funny person, in a dynamic class designed to unleash your inner comedian! In this camp, you'll explore the fundamentals of physical comedy, from slapstick humor and improv to stage combat and stand-up. 

Get ready to work your funny bone as you dive into various comedic styles, honing your skills in a supportive and energetic environment. Throughout the course, you'll collaborate with fellow students and create your own hilarious material, culminating in a final performance that showcases your unique comedic voice. 

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just starting out, this class promises laughter, learning, and a whole lot of fun. 

www.grindstonetheatre.ca/service-page/comedy-crash-course-camp 

Dates: Aug 5, 2025 - Aug 8, 2025
Total of 4 sessions
Starts Aug 5
Location: Grindstone Studio (9562 82 Ave NW)

Master the art of physical comedy—where the falls are planned, but the laughs are always unexpected in our brand new Crash Course Comedy camp!

Physical comedy techniques and body awareness will bring your performance to a whole new level! Students will grow their confidence and performance skills through play with slapstick, voice and movement, and character development.

Join Diane Webb, educator, performer, and all-around funny person, in a dynamic class designed to unleash your inner comedian! In this camp, you'll explore the fundamentals of physical comedy, from slapstick humor and improv to stage combat and stand-up. 

Get ready to work your funny bone as you dive into various comedic styles, honing your skills in a supportive and energetic environment. Throughout the course, you'll collaborate with fellow students and create your own hilarious material, culminating in a final performance that showcases your unique comedic voice. 

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just starting out, this class promises laughter, learning, and a whole lot of fun. 

www.grindstonetheatre.ca/service-page/comedy-crash-course-camp 

Dates: Jul 7, 2025 - Jul 11, 2025
Total of 5 sessions
Starts Jul 7th
Location: Grindstone Studio (9562 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6C 1B9)

Is your child curious about performing? Then this is the camp for them! This one week camp uses the elements of drama to explore the different types of theatre performances. This camp will help your child find their voice, learn how to move comfortably in their body, perform in front of others and work as a team to create and tell their very own story.

1A www.grindstonetheatre.ca/service-page/drama-discovery-1a-camp-su25

2A https://www.grindstonetheatre.ca/service-page/drama-discovery-2a-camp-su25-1