Best Breakout Artist is awarded to a live format artist - stand-up, improviser, sketch performer, etc. - who has had a breakout year. Artists may submit themselves or be submitted by a third party. However, one can only be submitted to this category twice in their lifetime and may only be nominated once in their lifetime. To qualify, the performer must have performed a minimum of 12 shows of a minimum of 30 consecutive minutes or more in the previous calendar year. A minimum of 8 sets must have been performed in Canada. All qualifying performances must have been performed in a venue that holds a minimum of 30 legal seats.

Best Taped Live Performance is awarded to an individual or ensemble whose live performance has been taped and originally broadcast on Canadian television during the previous broadcast year (May 1 of last year to April 30 of this year).

Best Male Stand-Up is awarded to a male stand-up comedian who has performed 12 shows of a minimum of 30 consecutive minutes or more in the previous calendar year. A minimum of 8 sets must have been performed in Canada. All qualifying performances must have been performed in a venue that holds a minimum of 30 legal seats.

Best Female Stand-Up is awarded to a female stand-up comedian who has performed 12 shows of a minimum of 30 consecutive minutes or more in the previous calendar year. A minimum of 8 sets must have been performed in Canada. All qualifying performances must have been performed in a venue that holds a minimum of 30 legal seats.

Best Sketch Troupe is awarded to a sketch troupe of at least 2 members that have performed a minimum of 12 performances of original material of a minimum 30 consecutive minutes in the previous calendar year, each time billed under the same troupe name. A minimum of 8 qualifying performances must have been performed in Canada. All qualifying performances must have been in a venue that holds a minimum of 30 legal seats. If part of a theatre company, troupes must be billed in a way that denotes the troupe itself rather than the company producing the show.

Best Improv Troupe is awarded to an improv troupe of at least 2 members that have performed a minimum of 12 performances of a minimum 30 consecutive minutes in the previous calendar year each time billed under the same troupe name. A minimum of 8 qualifying performances must have been performed in Canada. All qualifying performances must have been in a venue that holds a minimum of 30 legal seats. If part of a theatre company, troupes must be billed in a way that denotes the cast itself rather than the company producing the show.

Best Male Improviser is awarded to a male improviser who has performed a minimum number of 12 shows of a minimum 30 consecutive minutes in the previous calendar year. A minimum of 8 qualifying performances must have been performed in Canada. All qualifying performances must have been performed in a venue that holds a minimum of 30 legal seats.

Best Female Improviser is awarded to a female improviser who has performed a minimum number of 12 shows of a minimum 30 consecutive minutes in the previous calendar year. A minimum of 8 qualifying performances must have been performed in Canada. All qualifying performances must have been performed in a venue that holds a minimum of 30 legal seats.

Best Comedic Play, Revue or Series is awarded to an original play, revue or series produced during the previous calendar year. The comedic play, revue or series must have been performed by a cast of at least 2 artists at least 5 times of a minimum of 30 consecutive minutes in the previous calendar year. Each qualifying performance must use the same script, running order, or format, or a continuing story with a majority of recurring characters. All qualifying performances must have been performed in Canada in a venue that holds a minimum of 30 legal seats.

Best One Person Show is awarded to an original play performed by a single performer at least 5 times of a minimum of 30 consecutive minutes in the previous calendar year. Each qualifying performances must use the same script and billed under the same title. All qualifying performances must have been performed in Canada in a venue that holds a minimum of 30 legal seats.