Toronto, November 19, 2018 – Ophira Calof is the 2018 recipient of the $2,500 Tim Sims Encouragement Award, awarded to a Conservatory Program graduate at the Second City Training Program. Ophira was presented the award Saturday, November 17th at Second City’s “A Year in Revue – Conservatory Showcase”. The Tim Sims Encouragement Award honours a promising Canadian comedic performer who is in the early stages of their career.
Currently based in Toronto, Ophira Calof is a writer, performer, and producer who focuses on creating work that explores concepts of illness and disability through art. She is a producer and co-creator of the award-winning sketch revue Generally Hospital, co-founder of All Access Sketch Show, and a graduate of Second City’s Writing and Sketch Conservatory programs. She also has an extensive background in opera performance and recently released her single Still Standing.
“Ophira has such a positive attitude that she can find humour where most see difficulty,” said Kevin Frank, Artistic Director, Second City Training Centre & Education. “Her commitment to grow as a comedic artist, as well as her efforts to create places for others with mobility challenges to study and perform, makes her a perfect recipient of the 2018 Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award.”
The Tim Sims Encouragement Fund was founded by Lindsay Leese and established in 1995 in the spirit and memory of Tim Sims, a well-known comedic performer, writer, director, and charity fund-raiser from Toronto. From 1996-2014, the Fund awarded prize money totaling $65,000 to young comedians in the early stages of their careers at the annual Cream of Comedy award show at Second City. Beginning in 2015, the $2,500 award is given annually to a graduate of the Comedy Writing and Performance program at the Humber College, School of Creative and Performing Arts and to a Conservatory Program Graduate at the Second City Training Program.
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Alan Walker |
Established in 1991, the Ontario Arts Foundation (OAF) is passionately committed to building long-term support for the arts in Ontario. In 2017-2018, the OAF paid over $3.35 million in endowment income and $260,000 in awards and scholarships.
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