Crystal Burney
A&E Reporter
On a solo vacation to the Bahamas, Humber comedy teacher Christel Bartelse came up with the premise for her second one-women show, ONEymoon.
“I just needed to get away and my boyfriend made a joke about me going on a ‘oneymoon’,” she said.
The idea stuck and she’s taking it on the road starting this June in London, before heading to the Toronto Fringe Festival in July.
Bartelse said the show focuses around the main character getting married to herself and going on a honeymoon.
“The show flips between flashbacks of the wedding and me being on my honeymoon sharing stories.”
Her first solo show, Chaotica, had a successful festival tour, including a sold-out run at the Edmonton Fringe Festival in 2008.
Diana Kolpak of Whetstone productions met Bartelse during a clown course.
“Christel is a complete professional,” Kolpak said. “She works hard and throws herself into everything she does, facing her fears head on.”
Bartelse began dancing at a young age and moved into theatre in high school.
“Performing’s just always been in me, I love being onstage,” Bartelse said.
Bartelse studied acting at George Brown College and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory Program and the Randolph Academy in Toronto — where she met her comedy partner, Christina Sicoli, in improv class.
After leaving Randolph, the two formed the Burnt Marshmellows and created and performed in five shows together.
“That’s how I fell into comedy,” she said. “I always wanted to do dramatic theatre and love Shakespeare, but I’ve fallen into comedy and I can’t get out of it.”
Last year, she began teaching physical comedy at Humber after being a substitute for several years.
“I love teaching. I try to give them stuff that I know about the business. I want to see them progress,” said Bartelse.
Comedy program director Andrew Clark said each new teacher brings something different and Bartelse is no exception.
“As a working performer, she’s giving the students a terrific foundation in clown and physical comedy.”