Hamilton comedian, musician and performer, Devin Bateson Credit: Photo provided by Devin Bateson
With an advanced diploma in Broadcasting — Radio, TV & Film from Niagara College; a diploma in Animation from Mohawk College; and a Graduate Certificate in Comic Script Writing from Humber College, Devin Bateson loves creating and performing.
Devin Bateson in Men Love Horsies: The Musical Credit: Devin Bateson
Devin is a comedian, musician and performer known for his genre-blurring solo shows combining music, storytelling, chaotic charm and heartfelt absurdity that helped him clean up at this summer’s Hamilton Fringe Festival. Devin’s solo-sketch show was voted Best in Series: Indie Venues, Best in Fest and Critics’ Pick for his brilliant production, Men Love Horsies: The Musical.
Not surprisingly, Devin made a huge splash with his first Fringe solo-sketch show, The Midshipman's Handbook, at Hamilton Fringe (2023) as well as Toronto Sketchfest (2024). Devin was also nominated for an Emerging Artist Award from Hamilton Arts Awards (2015).
Devin is a SiriusXM Comedy featured artist that has opened for cult icons like JACKASS and David Liebe Hart (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!) carving out a singular style uniting equal parts clever, weird and sincerely silly.
Ring leader Devin Bateson from his last year as a figure skater Credit: Devin Bateson
Devin and I discuss growing up in Hamilton and what it was like being the only boy in his figure skating class where he played Robin Hood as well as a ring leader to the girls who played horses.
We also delve into his experiences on SMOOTH COMEDY and his Hamilton Fringe (2023) solo show The Midshipman’s Handbook, before turning to his original music that can be heard on the TV show, This Is The Thing, and purchased as limited edition hand-made cassette tapes which he has been known to mail to fans across the US, the UK and Japan.
Devin’s comics have appeared in The Gutter, The Oatbag, and Because Design Matters Magazine. He has taught film and comedy at local schools through the Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH) and Factory Media Centre and shares why these are vital artist outlets.
Devin also shares two projects he created that engaged the public and encouraged creativity. Voices of Dundas Oral History Project, the 2015 program created for the Dundas Museum & Archives, recorded the lived experiences of Dundas, ON, residents. And, for folks who may not know, Dundas amalgamated into Hamilton on January 1, 2001, but retained its historic charm and small town vibe. Devin also implemented the Makery (Maker Space) where folks were encouraged to unleash their creativity. The Makery was located within Niagara-On-The-Lake Public Library.
With a quick costume change, Devin Bateson becomes the villain, Henry Ford, in Men Love Horsies: The Musical Credit: Devin Bateson
With a seemingly insatiable amount of creative energy and ideas, Devin tells Small Change listeners what they can look forward to and where to find him next.
Find Devin Bateson here:
Website Instagram Facebook Movies Music and on Spotify, Apple and Tidal Comics
Devin will be starring with Justin Shaw in The Spirit of Christmas: A Nook & Cranny Mystery! at the Staircase Theatre with performances on Friday, December 12, 8pm and Saturday, December 13, 4pm. Get tickets here.
Devin appears in Smooth Comedy at the Staircase Theatre on the last Friday of each month from 8 to 10 pm. $20.
The Vibe Hamilton provides a weekly list of events in Hamilton and Fringe Festival reviews each July.
Thanks to everyone who read today’s article and listened to my podcast. With your financial support, a little Nicoll can make a lot of change.
You can also find my work on Public Parking, herizons, rabble.ca and my Wix site. Follow me on Instagram, X @doreennicoll61, Bluesky @nicollneedschange and Facebook.
Music: Real Estate by UNIVERSFIELD is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License. freemusicarchive.org.
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