~ History

After directing the first five seasons, three Soapathons, and one Fringe mini-series, Ian  and founding cast member Kirsten Van Ritzen moved to Toronto and created SIN CITY THE LIVE IMPROVISED SOAP OPERA with an all-star cast of Second City Alumna. It became a cult hit and media darling, selling out nearly every performance of a five season run,  Soapathon and Fringe Miniseries. It was taped as as CBC-TV special LIQUID SOAPZ, and the troupe headlined the prestigious Chicago Improv Festival. 

Ian and Kirsten moved to Victoria and created a new SIN CITY troupe - with Victoria`s best improvisors - in early 2011, when season one SIN CITY:DIE-NASTY opened. 

Ian is best known as the co-author (with brother Will Ferguson) of the best-selling humour book HOW TO BE A CANADIAN. Ian is also the author of VILLAGE OF THE SMALL HOUSES, a novel that won the 2004 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. Ian has been a featured reader and speaker at numerous book events. 

Ian trained as an actor at the University of Alberta and later obtained an MFA in Directing from York University.  Ian began his career as a playwright and theatre director and was the Artistic Director of Edmonton’s Union Theatre. Ian created the original DIE-NASTY format, along with a company of amazing improvisors and actors, and was the director for the first five seasons. 

In Victoria, Ian has directed LITTLE WOMEN and ANIMAL FARM for Kaleidoscope Theatre, acted in HANA'S SUITCASE and TWELFTH NIGHT, and directed at several of Kaleidoscope’s annual YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVALs. Ian creates television with Less Bland Productions, and has a number of writing projects in the works.  www.ianferguson.s5.com

Kirsten is a professional actor who has received acclaim for performances across Canada and the U.S. in theatre, comedy, television and radio. In Victoria, she acted in the dramas THAT FACE (Langham Court) and  HANA’S SUITCASE (Kaleidoscope), sang in SMASH A PLATE! and several GOTTA GETTA GIMMICK Chorus/Line Cabarets. Previous Victoria theatre credits include ANIMAL FARM, LITTLE WOMEN, and TWELFTH NIGHT (Kaleidoscope).

Kirsten performed her solo play ALL MY DAY JOBS at the 2011 Victoria Fringe;  the script was recently published in the anthology ONE FOR THE ROAD (Signature Editions). She has  published her first novel THE COMEDY DIVA DIARIES.

Kirsten regularly performs in comedy shows such as PHILLIPS COMEDY NIGHT. She is Executive Producer of the APTN-TV comedy series SHE KILLS ME produced with Less Bland Productions, which taped 13 episodes in Feb. 2013. She teaches acting at PACIFIC FILM AND NEW MEDIA ACADEMY.    http://www.kirstenvanritzen.com