The Velvet Duke (onstage), Velvet Wells (offstage), they/them everywhere
Variety Guest Performer
The Velvet Duke, Canada’s premier spontaneous balladeer, transforms your suggestions into short silly songs
- Basement Burlesque at Swizzles (Jan 17)
- Kitty’s Korner at Swizzles (Feb 19 & Feb 26)
Stand up Comedy
- In The Black at Harold Shenkman Hall (May 8)
Improv Classes and Workshops
Velvet Wells facilitates workshops and classes to build and sustain performance skills. Previously offered workshops and classes
All Request Radio Live On Location
(Sunday, January 11, 1-5pm) Only through Musical Improv Montreal. RSVP available in January
Information about the format at AllRequestImprov.com
Deep Dive: The Heist
(85% Booked — January 2026) For improvisers who want to dig into the heist genre as part of their longform narrative improvisation! (Blog promo)
Spend four Saturdays with Velvet and Jinnie through Wayward Improvised Theatre – RSVP TODAY
Improv Formats
Velvet Wells created, longform improvisational formats
Heist Stakes Puppet Trailer
Debuted at the Gilbert & Friends takeover show of Damn Fine Improv (Nov 2025)
The Penultimatum
A segment of the dramatic, improvised format debuted at the 2025 Ottawa Improv Jamboree. Featuring Claire Biddiscombe
M.C. Emcee Velvet!
Velvet Wells is a calm, commanding master of ceremonies, events, and shows
February 5, 2026 Ottawa Arts Awards at NAC
2025
- December Propeller Dance “Spark!” Community Day at Glebe Community Centre
- November Overflow Brewery’s BDAY BASH Lucky No 7
- October Ottawa Architecture Week “OAW Talks“
- June 2 Bella’s Outdoor Project
- April Propeller Dance’s “So it turns, we bloom”
Wells Written Thoughts (Occasional Blog Updates)
Why Heists?
My first caper was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Admittedly I saw it because…
After years of planning, The Heist is on
In January 2026, over 10 workshop hours, we’re going to put it all together in…
Join Susan Messing and John Lehr this weekend
Alligator Improv & Self Expression (AISE) arranged for Chicago-style improvisational legends Susan Messing and John…
“Velvet’s wonderfully joyful infectious energy stays long after the sessions are done”
Athira Vidyadhar
Velvet Wells (they/them) is the multi-award winning creator of “Ice Cream Justice – The Puppet Musical”; “Heist Stakes Improv”; “All Request Radio Live on Location”; “Ottawa Comedy Cruise Cabaret”; “(Re)Tired Magical Black Man”; “Djinn Joint”; and “Personal Demon Hunter.”
Image: Photo of Velvet and two puppets, all smiling and wearing red; Photo: Melody Maloney Photography
Velvet Wells is a Black, queer, disabled professional devised theatre artist living in Ottawa
Velvet Wells Compliments
“Improv & Beyond” award – Ottawa community at the 2025 Ottawa Improv Jamboree
On Velvet Wells’ Introduction to Improv androgogy (Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah)
Select Testimonials
Amelia Alam (2025)
Velvet was my playwriting mentor a few years ago when I had the opportunity to complete a play for the…
Taylor Vardy (2025)
One thing is for sure — when you attend a Velvet Wells show, you’re guaranteed three things: The Ottawa theatre…
Leichelle (2025)
Through captivating shows and insightful workshops, Velvet fosters a space of creativity and personal growth. I had the privilege of…
The Velvet Duke 