COMEDY BIO
A versatile comedienne, Kirsten excels at making people laugh, whether it is improv, sketch, theatre or film. She was invited to perform her solo character comedy at Orlando's premiere CFL Sketch Festival in Sept. 2019, one of eight acts invited from across North America. She also appeared in the virtual 2020 edition.
Kirsten tied (with Julia Sweeney) for L.A.'s "Best Solo Comedy Artist" for THE KIRSTEN VAN RITZEN SHOW, and was a 2014 'M' Award Nominee "Top Comedian". She is an avid improvisor, and co-creator of Victoria's SIN CITY, an acclaimed improv serial nominated for a 2011 'M' Award "Favourite New Production" and 2014 'M' Award "Top Improv/Sketch troupe". Kirsten also created and starred in five seasons of Toronto's SIN CITY Improv Serial and is a founding member of Edmonton’s DIE-NASTY improv soap, both Canadian Comedy Award nominees, all directed by founder Ian Ferguson.
As Artistic Producer of Broad Theatrics, she created and performed in Victoria's FUNNY WOMEN FESTIVAL; and as co- Executive Producer of SHE KILLS ME a 13 episode TV series, filmed in Victoria and broadcast nationally on APTN - she provided a showcase for emerging female comics.
In Toronto, Kirsten hosted (as Louise!) and produced the alternative comedy show LUCILLE'S BALL, and performed at the MARCH OF DAMES comedy festival, the CHICAGO IMPROV FESTIVAL, and more. She has taught improv at a number of post-secondary schools and also offers comedy classes through Broad Theatrics. She was host/producer of the 2015 Merridale Showdown and appears frequently on stages in Victoria and beyond.
A versatile comedienne, Kirsten excels at making people laugh, whether it is improv, sketch, theatre or film. She was invited to perform her solo character comedy at Orlando's premiere CFL Sketch Festival in Sept. 2019, one of eight acts invited from across North America. She also appeared in the virtual 2020 edition.
Kirsten tied (with Julia Sweeney) for L.A.'s "Best Solo Comedy Artist" for THE KIRSTEN VAN RITZEN SHOW, and was a 2014 'M' Award Nominee "Top Comedian". She is an avid improvisor, and co-creator of Victoria's SIN CITY, an acclaimed improv serial nominated for a 2011 'M' Award "Favourite New Production" and 2014 'M' Award "Top Improv/Sketch troupe". Kirsten also created and starred in five seasons of Toronto's SIN CITY Improv Serial and is a founding member of Edmonton’s DIE-NASTY improv soap, both Canadian Comedy Award nominees, all directed by founder Ian Ferguson.
As Artistic Producer of Broad Theatrics, she created and performed in Victoria's FUNNY WOMEN FESTIVAL; and as co- Executive Producer of SHE KILLS ME a 13 episode TV series, filmed in Victoria and broadcast nationally on APTN - she provided a showcase for emerging female comics.
In Toronto, Kirsten hosted (as Louise!) and produced the alternative comedy show LUCILLE'S BALL, and performed at the MARCH OF DAMES comedy festival, the CHICAGO IMPROV FESTIVAL, and more. She has taught improv at a number of post-secondary schools and also offers comedy classes through Broad Theatrics. She was host/producer of the 2015 Merridale Showdown and appears frequently on stages in Victoria and beyond.
IMPROV
Victoria:
SIN CITY CASTAWAYS, SIN CITY VEGAS, SIN CITY SPACE, SIN CITY KINGDOM OF THRONES, SIN CITY BEDLAM-BY-SEA, SIN CITY CARNIES, SIN CITY DIE-NASTY, FRINGE-PROVISE ME! (all Broad Theatrics); IMPROV ON TRIAL
CAVALCADE OF WHIMSY, TWISTED THEATRE: CAGEMATCH, THE SHOWDOWN, PHILLIPS COMEDY NIGHT, SUNDAY NIGHT IMPROV, THEATRESHORTS (all Victoria Event Centre)
Vancouver:
BREAKING NEWS,THE IMPRENTICE, THEATRESPORTS, GIRLS NIGHT OUT, IMPROV EXTREME, SCARED SCRIPTLESS, INSTANT IMPROV - Vancouver Theatresports Mainstage Company;
URBAN IMPROV - The Urban Well
CAGEMATCH Instant Theatre, THE FOXY MORONS ; Rock Paper Scissors; Slixer Entertainment
Toronto:
LIQUID SOAPZ - (lead) CBC-TV improvised sitcom; SIN CITY (5 seasons) at The Second City, Poor Alex Theatre Canadian Comedy Award Nominees
SIN CITY Soapathon - Poor Alex Theatre; SIN CITY Mini-Series - Toronto Fringe Festival NOW Artists to Watch
THE SECOND CITY TORONTO - Mainstage improv guest;
GORILLA THEATRE, BRUCE HUNTER'S WORKSHOP - Tim Sims Playhouse
SHAKESPEAREAN INSULTS Harbourfront Worldstage Theatre Festival
Chicago: CHICAGO IMPROV FESTIVAL mainstage SIN CITY RADIOLAND
Edmonton:
DIE-NASTY Edmonton Fringe 2009, DIE-NASTY SOAPATHON 2010, 2008 - Varscona Theatre
BIG STUPID IMPROV Edmonton Fringe 2009 - Rapid Fire Theatre
DIE-NASTY SOAPATHONS I - III Varscona Theatre;
DIE-NASTY seasons I - V - Union Theatre founding performer/co-producer
BIG STUPID IMPROV PLAYS - Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie
THEATRESPORTS (guest)- Rapid Fire Theatre
Stand up & Character
National: SHE KILLS ME Episode 4 (APTN- TV) ; LAUGH OUT LOUD (CBC Radio)
Victoria: FUNNY WOMEN FESTIVAL, SHE LAUGHS, HO HO HO SHOWS I-IX, FERNWOOD COMEDY NIGHT, THE MERRIDALE SHOWDOWN, YUK'S PRO AM, GEEZ LOUISE, PHILLIPS COMEDY NIGHT,TWELVE GAUGE COMEDY, RATFISH SELECT, SINKO DE MAYO 1 & 2, DIVERSION, Tour de Rock COMEDY FOR CANCER, Buskers Festival COMEDY CABARET, TEMPLE COMEDY, BOOMERANGST, THE AWESOME SHOW, RIPE MANGO SHOW, THE NAUGHTY SHOW, COMEDY SHOWCASE, MUSIC & LAUGHTER FESTIVAL.
Vancouver: Cariboo Comedy, Yuk Yuk's PRO-AM, Zesty's, The Laughing Bean, Urban Well, Lafflines, LAFFORAMA, 24hr COMEDY MARATHON, LUCILLE'S BALL, LAFF RIOT GIRLS; Social Butterfly Events
Toronto: MARCH OF DAMES FESTIVALS, STAND -OFF, The Hub, SO YOU WANNABE A COMEDY?, LAUGHMATCH, LUCILLE'S BALL, LIVIN' LA PITA LOCA
Calgary: COMEDY EXTREME Yuk Yuk's, FUNNYFEST CHALLENGE
Winnipeg: COMEDY AT THE CAVERN
SKETCH VARIETY/CLOWN/PUPPETRY
Victoria: SLAM BAM PUPPET JAM, PUPPET CABARETS, PUPPETS FOR PEACE; clown at Theatre Under the Gun & Burlesque Showdown
Orlando: CFL Sketchfest
Los Angeles: KIRSTEN VAN RITZEN SHOW - Hudson Guild
Chicago: KIRSTEN VAN RITZEN SHOW - Solo Theatre Festival
Edmonton: SPRING THAW I, SPRING THAW II, THE DIARIES OF.. Media Club Sketch Series, First Night Festival - Union Theatre Sterling Award Nominees
Victoria:
SIN CITY CASTAWAYS, SIN CITY VEGAS, SIN CITY SPACE, SIN CITY KINGDOM OF THRONES, SIN CITY BEDLAM-BY-SEA, SIN CITY CARNIES, SIN CITY DIE-NASTY, FRINGE-PROVISE ME! (all Broad Theatrics); IMPROV ON TRIAL
CAVALCADE OF WHIMSY, TWISTED THEATRE: CAGEMATCH, THE SHOWDOWN, PHILLIPS COMEDY NIGHT, SUNDAY NIGHT IMPROV, THEATRESHORTS (all Victoria Event Centre)
Vancouver:
BREAKING NEWS,THE IMPRENTICE, THEATRESPORTS, GIRLS NIGHT OUT, IMPROV EXTREME, SCARED SCRIPTLESS, INSTANT IMPROV - Vancouver Theatresports Mainstage Company;
URBAN IMPROV - The Urban Well
CAGEMATCH Instant Theatre, THE FOXY MORONS ; Rock Paper Scissors; Slixer Entertainment
Toronto:
LIQUID SOAPZ - (lead) CBC-TV improvised sitcom; SIN CITY (5 seasons) at The Second City, Poor Alex Theatre Canadian Comedy Award Nominees
SIN CITY Soapathon - Poor Alex Theatre; SIN CITY Mini-Series - Toronto Fringe Festival NOW Artists to Watch
THE SECOND CITY TORONTO - Mainstage improv guest;
GORILLA THEATRE, BRUCE HUNTER'S WORKSHOP - Tim Sims Playhouse
SHAKESPEAREAN INSULTS Harbourfront Worldstage Theatre Festival
Chicago: CHICAGO IMPROV FESTIVAL mainstage SIN CITY RADIOLAND
Edmonton:
DIE-NASTY Edmonton Fringe 2009, DIE-NASTY SOAPATHON 2010, 2008 - Varscona Theatre
BIG STUPID IMPROV Edmonton Fringe 2009 - Rapid Fire Theatre
DIE-NASTY SOAPATHONS I - III Varscona Theatre;
DIE-NASTY seasons I - V - Union Theatre founding performer/co-producer
BIG STUPID IMPROV PLAYS - Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie
THEATRESPORTS (guest)- Rapid Fire Theatre
Stand up & Character
National: SHE KILLS ME Episode 4 (APTN- TV) ; LAUGH OUT LOUD (CBC Radio)
Victoria: FUNNY WOMEN FESTIVAL, SHE LAUGHS, HO HO HO SHOWS I-IX, FERNWOOD COMEDY NIGHT, THE MERRIDALE SHOWDOWN, YUK'S PRO AM, GEEZ LOUISE, PHILLIPS COMEDY NIGHT,TWELVE GAUGE COMEDY, RATFISH SELECT, SINKO DE MAYO 1 & 2, DIVERSION, Tour de Rock COMEDY FOR CANCER, Buskers Festival COMEDY CABARET, TEMPLE COMEDY, BOOMERANGST, THE AWESOME SHOW, RIPE MANGO SHOW, THE NAUGHTY SHOW, COMEDY SHOWCASE, MUSIC & LAUGHTER FESTIVAL.
Vancouver: Cariboo Comedy, Yuk Yuk's PRO-AM, Zesty's, The Laughing Bean, Urban Well, Lafflines, LAFFORAMA, 24hr COMEDY MARATHON, LUCILLE'S BALL, LAFF RIOT GIRLS; Social Butterfly Events
Toronto: MARCH OF DAMES FESTIVALS, STAND -OFF, The Hub, SO YOU WANNABE A COMEDY?, LAUGHMATCH, LUCILLE'S BALL, LIVIN' LA PITA LOCA
Calgary: COMEDY EXTREME Yuk Yuk's, FUNNYFEST CHALLENGE
Winnipeg: COMEDY AT THE CAVERN
SKETCH VARIETY/CLOWN/PUPPETRY
Victoria: SLAM BAM PUPPET JAM, PUPPET CABARETS, PUPPETS FOR PEACE; clown at Theatre Under the Gun & Burlesque Showdown
Orlando: CFL Sketchfest
Los Angeles: KIRSTEN VAN RITZEN SHOW - Hudson Guild
Chicago: KIRSTEN VAN RITZEN SHOW - Solo Theatre Festival
Edmonton: SPRING THAW I, SPRING THAW II, THE DIARIES OF.. Media Club Sketch Series, First Night Festival - Union Theatre Sterling Award Nominees
