KIRSTEN VAN RITZEN
  Kirsten Van Ritzen
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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 2019, one of eight acts invited from across North America and 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 acting schools and offers comedy classes through Broad Theatrics.  She was host/producer of the 2015 Merridale Showdown season (along with Erikk Isfeld) and appears frequently on stages in Victoria and beyond.
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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: Host/Producer: FUNNY WOMEN FESTIVAL,  GEEZ LOUISE series, 10 HO HO HO SHOWS +24 student Comedy Showcases; 
MERRIDALE SHOWDOWN (2015 season); Guest comic: SHE LAUGHS, FERNWOOD COMEDY NIGHT,  YUK YUK'S PRO AM, PHILLIPS COMEDY NIGHT, RATFISH SELECT, DIVERSION, Tour de Rock COMEDY FOR CANCER,  Buskers Festival COMEDY CABARET, TEMPLE COMEDY,  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