Kevin McDonald is coming to Ottawa for The Improv Embassy’s Birthday Show on Saturday and Sunday June 9–10. The weekend show is part of the improv company’s 4th anniversary, when they showcase a night of standup, sketch, and improv comedy.

If you are not familiar with the Improv Embassy, it’s a place downtown that’s developing lots of improv and sketch comedy. They teach classes that cater to everyone, from someone looking for a little fun to people that are becoming professional performers. Every spring, they also run the Ottawa Improv Festival in town.

With the help of Kevin McDonald, they will be running a special two day workshop from the veteran comic about his process for coming up with joke ideas and turning them into a new sketch through improvisational rehearsal. The bonus is that each student will be performing their sketch at the show on the evening of Sunday June 10, right along with Kevin!

Ahead of the show, I was able to chat with Kevin about what he’s up to these days and what he likes about improv and standup comedy. Listen to our interview in the player below.

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Kevin McDonald is best known for being a founding member of Kids in the Hall, alongside his friend Dave Foley. What began at The Second City and ended up on CBC Television, brought us such memorable characters as King of Empty Promises, Sir Simon Milligan, and Jerry Sizzler. Kevin’s work on the show helped introduce sketch comedy to mainstream audiences on CBC, CBS, HBO, and Comedy Central.

He’s also appeared in many movies and television shows like Boy Meets Girl, Agent Pleakley, the Lilo & Stitch franchise, Epic Movie, The Martin Short Show, Ellen, That 70’s Show, Seinfeld, Friends, NewsRadio, MADtv, Arrested Development and Corner Gas. Younger people may also know him from his work on Angry Beavers, Catscratch, and Clerks: The Animated Series.

His illustrious career has garnered him nominations for ten Gemini Awards and three Emmy Awards.

The Improv Embassy’s 4th Birthday Show is happening at Brigid’s Well (310 St. Patrick) on Sunday June 10. Tickets cost $15 online. Visit improvembassy.com for information or to register for Kevin McDonald’s sketch writing comedy class.