If I’m going to make writing regularly a goal for 2019, which I am, I should kick it off right with an epically long Year in Review post. I wrote one in 2016 and 2017. I might as well keep the tradition alive.

Before kicking off here, it might be important to note that my lighthouse word for 2018 was “PREPARE” – it helped me in my ongoing battle against procrastination and helped keep me more organized with repetitive events that require a set amount of planning each time (ie: producing comedy shows.)

Also to note, all year I kept worrying 2018 couldn’t possibly live up to its predecessor. I went back to Europe in 2017 for the Vimy Centennial, and figured nothing could possibly compare to my time in England and France. Well, it wasn’t Europe, but it turns out I was able to fill the time.

So here is a list of what I consider to be accomplishments in 2018, in a somewhat chronological order, but not quite:

• I finished filming my first web-series pilot.
• I finished the first draft of my original sitcom pilot.
• I taught my first Level B class, as an improv instructor at The Second City Training Centre. (And many Level As.)
• I started running regular improv drop-in workshops in Niagara.
• I continued to produce Guess Who’s Coming to Improv? a show that has, for the past 4 years, continued to bring together performers outside the classroom and away from their troupes to help us connect and grow, and to allow us the opportunity to play with our heroes.
• I continued to produce POPAGANDA to give students of the Second City Training Centre an opportunity to see their teachers do what they do best, without even having to leave the building.
• My brother Nick and I recorded our 50th episode of The Constant Struggle Podcast.
• My sketch troupe The Utilidors performed in our 2nd Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival and our show sold out the small theatre space.
• I got to play in 3 rounds of the Worlds Biggest Improv Tournament with my good friend Ashley Seaman as Jessica Fletcher’s Unexpected Arousal.
• I took a road trip to Chicago with my best buddy Dina Senior to see the feminist comedy sensation She the People (before I knew they were bringing it to Toronto.)

• I submitted a comedy writing packet to a TV show.
• Niagara Improv became Improv Niagara. We filled out our ranks and and launched our first regular show; the competitive Improv Fallout. It now runs monthly on Friday nights downtown St. Catharines.

• Myself and the Fantastic Funny Femmes ran two Improv & Mental Health workshops for women in Toronto and Niagara, respectively.
• I officially resigned from my administrative job.
• I filmed a series of public health videos for the Niagara Region with Improv Niagara.
• I was physically in the same room as Rick Moranis.
• Improv Niagara were featured in a video with the Mayor of Niagara Falls, inviting Ellen Degeneres to visit the city.
• I was accepted into the Harold Studio program at Bad Dog.
• I performed at the Del Close Marathon for its last ever year in NYC with Linda and Mark from Chakra Khan.

 

• … where I also witnessed the UCB4.

• I signed with an agent and through her, booked actual paid work.
• I got new headshots taken.
• I had the pleasure of emceeing Jess & Illy’s wedding.
• I had the pleasure of working as a stage manager for the wildly successful, hilarious and award-winning Fringe production Generally Hospital.
• I had a great run with my Assembly longform improv troupe Marlon Rando.
• The Utilidors performed at the NYC Sketchfest; our 2nd international performance.
• I performed in the Big City Improv Festival again this year, with 3 wonderful projects, including Improv Niagara, which also performed in the River Arts Festival in Dunnville, ON.
• My softball team won the Toronto Comedy Softball League championship!

• Life-wise, (not work-wise) I welcomed a niece to the family. I did very little to accomplish this goal except sit in a waiting room and get yelled at by nurses and prior to that throw a pretty nifty Baby Shower.

Looking forward to 2019 with as fresh a face as this little cutie pie’s.

Happy New Year!