Details
Union:
Union or Non union
Area of media:
Short Film
Network:
Paid?:
No
Rates:
$100/ day Honorarium for each role.
Deadline:
Feb 9, 2026
Callbacks:
In person callbacks, one day b/w Feb 19 and Feb 25
Shooting starts:
Mar 7, 2026
Shooting finishes:
Mar 8, 2026
Shooting locations:
Toronto
Cities for response:
Toronto
Comments
Looking for experienced comedic actors (stand up, sketch, improv etc)
Storyline
A struggling comedian trying to make ends meet, chances upon a mysterious comedy night with an alluring cash prize. As the night unfolds he realizes the audience is not what he expects and his own punchline seals his fate in this dark comedy about seeking validation & self-worth.
Roles
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Lead | MAX | Male 30 - 40 Years old |
Description A once-promising Toronto-based stand-up comedian who now scrapes by on small, low-paying gigs. Raised by parents who dismissed comedy as a viable career, he has spent the last 15 years stubbornly trying to prove them and everyone who doubted him wrong. Determined that this is his calling, he chases every opportunity he can find, yet has never received the external validation he yearns for from audiences or peers. His humor is sharp, but his confidence has worn thin after years of indifference, a failed relationship, and a career that never truly took flight. Single for the past seven years, his personal life has stalled alongside his professional one, weighed down by insecurity and instability. Now financially strained and desperate, he accepts even the grungiest comedy events just to stay afloat. Though he hides behind jokes, the truth is simple: Max needs to be seen, needs to be heard, and above all, needs to matter. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | DEAN | Male 20 - 30 Years old |
Description Represents the new generation of comedians: confident, loud, and unafraid to weaponize humor for status. Dean represents the fresh comedians coming in with new energy: overconfident, loud and a chip on the shoulder. Recently thrust into the comedy scene through a streak of small viral hits, he carries himself with an attitude that hasn’t been humbled by failure just yet. But beneath his bravado lies a fragile ego — one desperate to protect the illusion that he’s naturally gifted. A reflection of Max in his nascent comedy career. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | JOSHUA | Male 35 - 45 Years old |
Description Once a celebrated comedian, Joshua now carries himself with the quiet authority of someone who expects to be listened to. He views himself as a leader within the group, projecting calm confidence that can be somewhat intimidating. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | BETH | Female 20 - 30 Years old |
Description An effervescent comedian, full of life, with a spring in her step. In constant pursuit of attention, she has carefully curated a social media image of herself, measuring her worth in views and likes. She keeps an envious eye on peers who achieve viral fame for even the most trivial content. | ||