COMBUSTIONfestival starts burning up next week, and we are PUMPED. With drop-in workshops, special performances, Theatresports and more, we’ll be laughing our asses off all week long. Want in on this action? Better snap up a ticket before they’re all gone. 

We got to chat with some of the women performing at the festival next week. Meet RobYn Slade. She improvises with Outside Joke and The DnD Improv Show, and she’s performed at festivals across North America, including the Vancouver International Improv Festival, Edmonton’s Improvaganza, Calgary International Improv Festival and the Montreal Improv Festival.

SDTC: How would you describe yourself and your sense of humour?

RS: I’m an introvert who loves performing. That’s not unique, I know; so many performers are like that. My sense of humour leans heavily towards pathos; I LOVE when something funny turns sweet, or sad, or downright devastating.

What is the funniest thing you’ve seen/heard/experienced in recent memory?

Have you seen that “Is it a dog or is it a blueberry muffin” meme? I saw that again the other day and had a very long laugh at those disgusting blueberry eyeballs.

Where do you get your best material from?

In improv, my best moments always come from a good connection with my scene partner. Anything that gets brought in from outside of that connection almost always falls flat.

What do you love about the Canadian comedy scene? What do you loathe about it?

I love the warmth of our comedy scene, specifically the improv scene. I loathe the distance between us all.

What can we expect from you at COMBUSTIONfestival?

You can expect a smile on my face from the second I hit the stage until I leave Toronto in tears. I get to play with Bad Dog’s Hannah Spear in a duo after EIGHT YEARS APART!

What separates good improv from GREAT improv?

Vulnerability. Good improv is people, on stage, telling stories. Great improv is people, on stage, cracking their ribs open, and inviting others inside to take a look.