derbáil

toronto dublin-BASED
improvisor .
sketch comedy writer .
Educator .

Derbáil is a Dublin-based comedian known for her sharp wit, whacky characters, and dark humour. An alum of The Second City, Derbáil stumbled into comedy as a way of dealing with her "dead mom stuff" and brings a unique creative perspective to her writing and the stage. Whether performing sketch comedy, improv or stand-up, she captivates audiences with her wild characters, physical choices and relatable material that delves deep into the whimsical mind of a neurodivergent comedian with OCD. Having honed her craft on stages and festivals across North America and Australia, she’s returned to the homeland to make her mark.

specialties

  • Derbáil has performed as a regular cast member in acclaimed Toronto shows such as "Party Hard, Hard Party" at Comedy Bar and "Beer, Beer" at SoCap Comedy. She has also been a member and host of The Second City's House Team show "Coached Ensembles" and the ITS House Team "Cringe Factor." Additionally, Derbáil has worked as an actor and character improviser for Secret City Adventures' award-winning immersive experiences, including "Murdoch Mysteries" and the Casa Loma Series.

    Her extensive training and performance experience include work with The Second City, Comedy Bar Toronto, Bad Dog Theatre Company, Improv Theatre Sydney, UCB, and Keith Johnstone.

  • Over the past few years, Derbáil has written, produced, and performed sketch comedy across North America. Her notable work includes her sketch troupe, Grown & Sexy, which presented their revue show "The Seven Habits of Highly Defective People" at The Second City Toronto and enjoyed a sold-out run of "A Sketchy Night" at Toronto Sketch Fest 2023.

    An alumnus of The Second City, Derbáil specializes in premise-prov, a dynamic form of longform improvisation where scenes and sketches are created on the spot before being transcribed. As a neurodivergent artist, this stage-to-page approach has been essential in transforming her comedic process and overcoming the challenges of writing with Dyslexia.

  • Derbáil, known for her openness, often shares the quirks of her daily life with her audience, finding humour in her unique habits. Embracing her improvisational instincts, she frequently engages in one-on-one interactions with audience members, sometimes incorporating them into her lively onstage narratives.

  • Derbáil teaches and coaches improv and sketch comedy, with a focus on longform improv, physical theatre and premise-prov. Drawing from her own experience of how improv can enhance creative writing skills, especially for neurodivergent individuals, she is dedicated to offering workshops that explore these techniques and strategies.