Kirsten Van Ritzen

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Welcome!

Welcome to the Official website for Kirsten Van Ritzen, a professional actor and comedienne. Kirsten has performed across Canada and the US. She is also a writer, director, teacher and producer.  

These pages list a whole lot of stuff about her career, mostly written in the third person.   

RECENT NEWS

Welcome and Happy New Year!

December was a busy month.  I performed in three spectacular episodes of the hit improv show SIN CITY:CARNIES,  and at Phillips Comedy Night, hosted the HO HO HO Show (it was a smash!), hosted Asmira's Bellydance Recital (!!) and two corporate gigs, and was the featured guest on a cable talk show INSIDE OUT. (the link is on the Video page, as well as a trailer for SUNDAY'S CHILD, an indie horror flick I filmed 2 years ago!) 

January will be busy as Term 2 begins at the Pacific Film and New Media Academy, where I am the Co-ordinator of the Acting for Screen program; SIN CITY returns on January 17 for 14 more hilarious weekly episodes (watch for the feature article in YAM Magazine) - Victoria Fringe Festival applications are due - and I start teaching a new session of standup comedy!  Oh yes, and it is also my birthday on the 24th. Making me an Aquarius, and possibly, a cougar. 

Wishing you lots of laughter in 2012! xo K  

 

Kirsten Van Ritzen as "Ava the Snake Lady"

SIN CITY: CARNIES

JANUARY PERFORMANCES

SIN CITY:CARNIES  is set in the Dust Bowl of 1931 and follows the loves, lives and foibles of a troupe of travelling Carnies. Hilarious improvised theatre with a continuing narrative. Kirsten produces and stars alongside Victoria's funniest improvisors.  8pm  Tuesday nights Jan. 17, 24, 31st at the Victoria Event Centre  Tix $15/12 at the door or $12/10 in advance at http://www.ticketrocket.org/  Save with a Carny Punch Card and pick up a  souvenir Carnie Tshirt for only $20! http://www.sincityimprov.com/

PHILLIPS COMEDY NIGHT - Kirsten is a regular performer at this monthly comedy variety show hosted by Wes Borg. Victoria Event Centre 8pm Sun. Jan. 8 - $10 

STANDUP COMEDY WORKSHOP - this 7 week course begins on Monday Jan. 23. See the Workshop page for more details!  

 

Praise

 "Van Ritzen conjures up comparisons to such female comic icons as Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett... with a dash of Gilda Radner tossed in."

"totally hilarious!”

"think Carol Burnett with sex appeal.”

“an outstanding performance”

“dances and sings up a storm”

“a voice that would have sent Ethel Merman considering a career change”

“vamps with the best of them”

“as though Marlene Dietrich had come back to life”

“Van Ritzen can improvise a compelling scene with nothing but a broomstick”

“an effervescent performance”

“extraordinary comic repartee”

"impeccable timing"

"wealth of talent"

"dazzling to watch"

“Kirsten Van Ritzen is superb”

 

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