TORONTO, ON, December 21, 2020 – Nate Friedman, graduate of Humber’s Comedy: Writing and Performance program, is the recipient of the 2020 Tim Sims Encouragement Award.
Established by Lindsay Leese in memory of Toronto performer-writer-director Tim Sims, the $2,500 award is presented annually to a promising Canadian comedian who is nominated by their faculty.
Known for his family-friendly comedy, Friedman works on the children’s television show Odd Squad Mobile Unit and is the author of three children’s books: Coffee Monster and the Land of Coffee (2020), The Last Hockey Fight (2018) and The Coffee Monster (2015). He is a past recipient of the Joe Kertes Scholarship for Comedy Writing, which was established in honour of the Comedy program’s founding dean, and the David Goodman Comedy Scholarship.
“Nate is exceptionally talented and creates comedy that sends up rather than puts down,” notes Andrew Clark, the co-ordinator of Humber’s Comedy program. “He wants to make everyone laugh and bring them together.”
Through the generosity of the Tim Sims Encouragement Fund at the Ontario Arts Foundation, young comedians have received over $65,000 since 1996. Since 2015, the Fund honours two recipients each year: one from the Humber College Comedy: Writing and Performance program and one from the Second City conservatory program. Recent Humber recipients include Bria Hiebert (2019), Glenys Marshall (2018), and Jordanne Brown (2017).
About Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Humber College is focused on our students’ future. As a global leader in polytechnic education, Humber students receive in-depth theoretical learning and hands-on experience with applied research and extensive industry connections. Humber provides career-focused education to more than 33,000 full-time and 23,000 part-time and continuing education students across three campuses. A comprehensive range of credentials including honours undergraduate degrees, Ontario graduate certificates, diplomas, apprenticeships and certificates, prepare career-ready global citizens to move seamlessly from education to employment. More than 86 per cent of Humber graduates are employed within six months of completing their studies. Visit humber.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
Natalie St. Pierre
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Faculty of Media & Creative Arts
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
416.675.6622 ext. 3363; natalie.st-pierre@humber.ca