Kirsten Van Ritzen

Kirsten Van Ritzen is acclaimed as an inventive and versatile actress. Best known for her work in the theatre, she has performed a wide-range of roles in comedies, dramas and musicals. She was nominated for an Ovation Award Outstanding Performance Female for "Alleycats the Musical" starring Lea Delaria. She is a playwright and has written and performed several one-woman shows. "The Kirsten Van Ritzen Show" toured several cities, including Chicago and Los Angeles, where she was recognized as Best Solo Performance L.A. Theatre. Her solo comedy about misery "All My Day Jobs" is published in "One for the Road" (Signature Editions). She is the author of a humor novel "The Comedy Diva Diaries". A gifted improviser and founding member of Edmonton's legendary "Die-Nasty the Live Improvised Soap Opera", Kirsten, along with with founding director Ian Ferguson, went on to co-create and star in "Sin City the Live Improv Serial" with Second City Alumna for five hit seasons in Toronto, with a special appearance at the Chicago Improv Festival - and another five seasons in Victoria, B.C. These troupes were nominated for Canadian Comedy Awards and M Awards Top Improv/Sketch Show and Favourite New Production. Kirsten performs frequently as a comedienne. Her stand-up can be heard on CBC Radio's "Laugh Out Loud". As 'party gal Louise' she hosted the alternative comedy shows "Lucille's Ball' (Toronto) and "Geez Louise" (Victoria). Numerous comedy credits include Funny Women Festival, Pacific Northwest Puppet Festival, Buskers Festival Comedy Cabaret, March of Dames and more.