John Hastings

Hello COCA Selection Committee,

My name is John Hastings, I am a Toronto-based comedian and I perform under the umbrella of Yuk Yuks and Funny Business Inc.

Some of the highlights of my career thus far include:
? Regular “Juror” on the 2010/2011 Season of Muchmusic’s highly successful series “Video On Trial”
? I was the winner of the 2010 Irwin Barker Award at Canadian Homegrown Comedy Competition as part of the 2010 Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal
? I was nominated for a 2010 Canadian Comedy Award in the category of best new-comer
? I was named as one of the 5 comedians to watch by the Comedy Network
? One of the first Comedians signed to Canada’s first and only Stand-up Comedy Record Label: Comedy Records. I was also featured on their debut release “Comedy Records Presents”
? I have been a finalist for the 2009 and 2010 XM Canada’s “Next Top Comedian in Canada Competition”

Some of the critical acclaim and media attention I have received includes:
• “John's story telling ranks him up there with the best young comics in the country” from the Jake Labow at the Comedy Network, (August 2010)
• “A Newcomer who talks like an old pro!” from Eric Toth at the Toronto Star, (October 2010)
• “Pale, Ginger Haired and a Solid Stand Up Comedian” from Bill Brownstein at the Montreal Gazette (July 2010)
• “Pale, Ginger Haired and a Solid Stand Up Comedian” and “Funny, Actually” by Bill Brownstein at the Montreal Gazette. (June 2009)
• “Abrasive Gold” by the Montreal Hour (June 2009)
• “Damn Funny ” by Tristan Brand the editor of the alternative art blog indyish.com, (March 2009)

My style is personal, sarcastic and observational with a large injection of improvisation. Each performance feels like an original and spontaneous moment of comedy customized for the audience I am performing for. I can perform clean comedy or more edgy material. Below you will find a video link to my stand-up comedy reel, a reference letter package and my resume.

Thank you for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards, John Hastings

Stand Up Comedy Performance Clip: http://vimeo.com/16849703
Website: www.johnhastingscomedy.com

John Hastings Comedy Resume
108 Oxford, Toronto Ontario M5T 1P3
(H) (416) 839-4446 Email:johnhaymish@hotmail.com
Height- 6’3” Hair- Dirty Blonde Eyes- Blue

Stand Up Comedian
Show Role Company/director
Just For Laughs 2010 Featured Act Just for Laughs/Zoe Randall
Algonquin College Frosh Week Featured Act Algonquin College Student Group
Carlton University Political Show Featured Act CSA
Funny Perverted Variety Hour Featured Act Theatre Ste Catherine/Eric Amber
CFB Petawawa Troop Send Off Host (N/A)
Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Caberets Host & Middle Act (List of Clubs can be provided)
Comedy Works Montreal Host & Middle Act Jimbo Skomorowski/Eman Hussein
Comedy Nest Montreal Host & Middle Act Silver Butler
Too Much Show Host/Middle&Headliner Comedy Loft/G.H. Braithwaite
Watch Mojo (Internet T.V.) Staff Comedian Watch Mojo.com/Various
(Various Corporate Shows) Host & Middle Act Funny Business Inc.

Radio & Television
Show Role Company/Director
Watch Mojo (Internet T.V.) On Air Personality Watch Mojo.com/Various
Aaron,Tasso & Suzanne (Radio)Voice Actor/Writer 92.5 Q/Corus/Aaron Rand
Ad Inc (TV pilot) Dan Film Nit/ Mattew P.Wocks

Improv
Show Role Company/Director
Second City Conservatory Performer S.C.T.C/ Paul Constable
Touch my Sterotype Performer/Host Unit 102/Chantel Renee
Improv Fight Club Performer/Host Green Room/R. Matthew Turner
TSC Sunday Night Improv Performer Theatre Ste Catherine/Eric Amber
Canadian Improv Games Host/Performer/Trainer Canadian Improv Games
Project Project Featured Solo Performer Project Project/Julie Dumais

Writing
Show Role Company/Director
Aaron,Tasso & Suzanne (Radio)Segment Producer/Writer 92.5 The Q/Corus/Aaron Rand
Interactive Evil (Podcast) Writer Interactive Evil productions
Comedy: The Musical (Radio) Writer CJLO
Watch Mojo (Internet T.V.) Segment Writer Watch Mojo.com/Various

Education
Graduate, Major in Theatre at Concordia University
Second City Conservatory C