Ophira Calof is a multi-award winning disabled writer, performer and consultant who works to “crip the script,” centring disability knowledge and experience. Their credits include TallBoyz (CBC), Kids In The Hall (Amazon Prime), sketch comedy revue Generally Hospital (Canadian Comedy Award Nominee) and their solo show Literally Titanium, which has been featured in both academic and performance spaces as a case study in accessible production. They are currently story editing for an unannounced CBC comedy series.
Ophira is also the creative director for the Accessible Writers’ Lab, a national initiative presented by AMI, RAFFTO and sponsored by the Canada Media Fund, to experiment with what an accessible tv writers’ room might involve. Ophira was also the accessibility process lead for AccessCBC, and the curatorial committee lead for the 2022 ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto. They have taught workshops internationally on storytelling, writing, music, accessibility and disability narratives, and created the courses Sketch Comedy with Ophira Calof and Crip Storytelling, a series in partnership with Centre of Independent Living Toronto and the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre.
Ophira graduated from Second City’s Writing and Sketch Conservatory programs and the Buddies in Bad Times Theatre Emerging Creator’s Unit. They were featured in the Second City 2018 Toronto Diversity Fellowship Showcase, are the 2018 recipient of the Tim Sims Encouragement Award and received the 2021 Cahoots Theatre Promising Pen Prize. They are currently a TV writing fellow for the 2022 RespectAbility Lab for Entertainment Professionals with Disabilities.