GENDER? I HARDLY KNOW THEM
Founded in 2018, Gender? I Hardly Know Them is a joyfully provocative queer sketch troupe, founded by Elena (or Eli) Belyea and Sydney Campbell. Drawing from their experiences of growing up gay, hot, and short in Edmonton, LGBTQ+ comedians Syd and Eli are out to queer the world, one denim punchline at a time.
Past Projects
Writing and performing a sold-out, held-over run of our self-titled live show at the Edmonton Fringe in 2019.
Filming a web series proof of concept with funding from Telus’ Storyhive (now available on Telus Optik TV).
Creating two months-worth of sketches on TikTok and Instagram, thanks to $5,000 in funding from the Canada Council’s Digital Originals program.
Writing and performing an online sketch show (httpeepee) on Zoom in summer 2020 with over 500 viewers.
A national tour of our live show in 2022 (with stops at the rEvolver Festival in Vancouver, Sunset Theatre in Wells, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto, and Downstage in Calgary), thanks to a Circulation and Touring Grant from the Canada Council.
Writing, performing, showrunning, and producing three episodes of a web series (now in post-production), with support from the Canada Council’s Digital Originals grant, and the Edmonton Arts Council.
Past Live Shows
Tiny Bear Jaws + Rapid Fire Theatre Present
HTTPEEPEE
A Queer Online Sketch Show (on Zoom)
July 14-19, 2020
Take my Wifi, please! Syd and Elena of queer sketch duo “Gender? I Hardly Know Them” channel their debilitating loneliness into httpeepee, 55 minutes of non-stop laughs, coming at you live from their very own houses! Put an end to your FOMO and get ready to ROFLMAO, ya DILFs!
ARTISTIC TEAM
Written and performed by Elena Eli Belyea and Sydney Campbell
Directed and dramaturged by Rob Baker
Assistant directed and dramaturged by Caleigh Crow
Design consultation and dramaturgical support by Elise Jason
Tech consultation, sound design, and dramaturgical support by Tori Morrison
Special thanks to Geoffrey, Kole, Sue, David, Andrea, Theo, and Lindsay
"An ingenious low-fi delight… Alternately thoughtful, pointed, and joyous and almost uniformly hilarious … a celebration of and a testament to queer creativity, adaptability, and resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.” - Parton and Pearl
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Tiny Bear Jaws + Rapid Fire Theatre Present
GENDER? I HARDLY KNOW THEM
at the 2019 Edmonton Fringe Festival (August 2019)
"Nanette" meets "Baroness Von Sketch" in this queer comedy show, created by award-winning playwright and performer Elena Eli Belyea and Rapid-fire/Dang Dumb director and performer Sydney Campbell. Dad jokes, first dates and catcalls collide in this joyfully provocative premiere that will leave you breathless, whatever your pronouns.
ARTISTIC TEAM
Written and performed by Elena Eli Belyea and Sydney Campbell
Featuring Just Moe
Directed and additional writing by Paul Blinov
Sound Design by Tori Morrison
Stage Managed by Rochelle Laplante
Poster Designed by Meags Fitzgerald
Promo Photo by Nico Humby
“☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ – See this show.” – Edmonton Journal
“☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ - The whole social construct of gender is kind of a joke to begin with, but sketch comedians Elena Eli Belyea and Sydney Campbell dive deep.” – Daze Magazine
“A charismatic, pronoun-cognizant duo straight from Edmonton… insight and outreach blended with crazy satire and situational comedy.“ – Sesay Arts Magazine
“Valuable assets to the comedy scene.” – Istvan Dugalin
“The duo [Belyea and Campbell] are practiced comedians and present a barrage of sketches that are frequently funny, often hilarious, and edged with an incisive cleverness.” - Mel Priestley
Past archival and promotional photos by Mike Tan and Nico Humby.
Watch some of the sketches below: