After three long years, Bull Skit Comedy has returned to fighting form — and Jenna Goldade is “really excited to be back.”
“We finally get to announce a season, how great is that?” said Goldade, artistic director of Against the Wall Theatre on Wednesday.
The Red Deer improvisation and sketch comedy group has had some sporadic shows as the pandemic has allowed, but the group also suffered some setbacks. The most recent was a cancellation of the group’s Christmas show because three people out of the cast of five were sick with either the flu or COVID.
But now that everyone’s up to snuff again, Bull Skit is primed to launch Season 15 with a full slate of shows (mostly held at the Scott Block Theatre) from January to July. To be on the safer side, Goldade has reduced audience seating in the theatres to allow for more spacing between people.
The shows starts with The Lab on Jan. 20. This will be a fundraiser featuring young improvisers from Hunting Hills and Lindsay Thurber high schools. The aim is raising money to send the improv teams to the Canadian Improv Games and Wildfire in Edmonton.
“It’s important for us …to give back to this art form and support individuals wishing to develop themselves through play,” said Goldade.
Also on, starting this month, are Maestro shows on Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 25, April 29 and May 26.
In these improv competitions, the audience decides who wins. Then, just as on the TV game show Jeopardy, the winner goes on to try to uphold the title at the next Maestro show. Goldade expects competitors to come from across Alberta.
In the lead up to Valentine’s Day, Bull Skit is holding two Improvised Love Actually shows that will play on rom-com themes on Feb. 10 and 11.
Also next month is the launch of Gays of our Lives on Feb 24. Goldade said LGBTQ+ performers will be the improvisers, riffing on their lives. Another Gays of Our Lives show will be held April 28.
Meanwhile, Bull Skit is planning a Big Lip Energy Sketch show on March 2, 3, 4. The first of these shows will feature a guest appearance from Melody Stang and Kayla Williams of The Dirrty Show. The former Red Deerians are now based in Calgary but will be returning to partner with the Bull Skit crew.
“I’m excited. That’s one of my favourite shows — but it’s also bittersweet,” said Goldade, since it could be the last such event with The Dirrty Show.
The Key of I will be an improvised musical will be created with collaboration with Red Deer’s Ash Mercia and Morgan McKee. It will run April 6-8.
For long-time fans of sketch comedy, the Bull Skit Comedy: Original Sketch Show will be performed on May 4-6. Goldade promises to bring back some favorite characters.
Audiences of all ages can enjoy Calf Skit improvised fairy tales, performed June 10, 17, 24 in the Barrett Park behind Servus Arena, while the Public Market is on. Last year’s Three Little Pigs was a big hit, and Goldade said the group is taking suggestions for this year’s show.
The Bull Skit season will close with the Dark Carnival Fundraiser at Bo’s Bar and Stage on July 8. Goldade said this event was highly successful last summer and she really looks to reprise it.
The Red Deer College theatre grad is very excited to have enough community support to have made it to 15 seasons — something that was never anticipated when she helped start the troupe in 2008.
“We can’t wait to see people back at our shows.” For more information, please visit www.bullskitcomedy.com.
