
Featured Acts
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Aaron is a standup comic born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. After barely graduating from Notre Dame in 2014, Aaron moved to Nashville and started doing standup. Since then, he's become a regular at Zanies Comedy Club and has performed in venues/clubs all over the Southeast. In 2018, Aaron competed in the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in Atlanta and helped break the Guinness World Record for Longest stand-up comedy show.
Like our 16th president, Abraham is all about exploring problems. Unlike our 16th president, Abraham does pretty well in a theater and problem solves through the Deconstruction form, where an audience suggestion inspires a core two-person relationship and where that relationship fuels point of view, commentary and shenanigans from the rest of the team.
When the emotion gets too much to speak...we sing! Singing is an expression of joy and these guys are crazy full of joy. Words and lyrics made up on the spot in fun short-form games, outrageous rap battles, and Charlotte's only completely improvised musical long form.
Blank Slate is a curious mix of mammals who use long-form improv and narrative to transport an audience to another place; preferably a funnier one.
Blayr Nias, seen on FOX's Laughs and Funny or Die's Oddball Comedy Festival, as a contributor on WCCB's News Rising for Couch Chat, as well as the producer of the Almost Famous Comedy Show. She has opened for comedic heavyweights like Gilbert Gottfried, Marc Maron and Katt Williams.
Keli Semelsberger is the founder and director of the Charlotte Comedy Theater, Charlotte's originating improv theater. She trained in Chicago at iO and Annoyance and has been demonstrating that training in Charlotte for almost 20 years. Jack Davis is a senior cast member at the Charlotte Comedy Theater, where he's been performing for almost 10 years. He has been on several house teams and performed in festivals across the country. Together, Keli and Jack bring their inner darkness to light in their original show, Bow-Ties and Bitterness.
The semi-proud father of two children, he gives audiences his brutally honest - yet always hilarious - take on parenting, different generations and other absurdities of daily life. Always bringing his energetic and diverse humor and random expression on the stage.
Is a comedic veteran of the Charlotte comedy scene since 2007 in both improv and Stand Up Comedy.
Have performed with several Improv Troupes throughout the Greater Charlotte Area. His off the cuff
approach to improv has only helped as he also continues to ply his talents in specialty shows such as
Funny on the Fly.
Vanity Fair named Brian Regan “the funniest stand-up alive,” and Entertainment Weekly called him “your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian.” Having built his 30-plus year career on the strength of his material alone, Brian’s non-stop theater tour continuously fills the most beautiful venues across North America, visiting close to 100 cities each year.
Brian premiered his seventh hour of comedy, the Netflix special, “Brian Regan: ” Nunchucks and Flamethrower”,” on November 21, 2017. This is the first special in a two-special deal with Netflix, joining Brian with Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld and others in multi-special deals with the leader in worldwide streaming. Brian’s second Netflix special is planned for release in 2019.
Taking a leap into the acting world, director Peter Farrelly personally cast Brian in his new TV series, “Loudermilk”, on The Audience Network. “Loudermilk” premiered to rave reviews on October 17, 2017, with Brian earning accolades in the role of “Mugsy,” a recovering addict who is estranged from his family.
Brian appeared at Carnegie Hall on November 11, 2017 following years of performances in New York City’s finest theaters including Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, The Beacon Theater and Radio City Music Hall. Brian’s tour has included regular visits to Denver’s legendary 8,600-seat Red Rocks Amphitheater and the 12,500-seat Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City.
In 2015, Brian made history with his stand-up special, “Brian Regan: Live from Radio City Music Hall,” as the first live broadcast of a stand-up special in Comedy Central’s history.
A regular on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Brian is the rare guest who the show invites on for two segments: a performance segment and a segment on the couch to chat with Jimmy. Previously, Brian was a regular guest on The Late Show with David Letterman, making 28 appearances on the hit CBS show.
Brothers Grimmprov is an improv collaboration between the two brothers who actually wrote the fairy tales you all know and love. For years they have been in hiding and let others take the credit for their work but now they've decided to perform their stories for the public.
The greatest tragedy is not death but life without purpose. Comedian Burpie found his purpose in 2009 when he started doing stand up comedy but got his major break in 2012 when selected as a finalist for Kevin Hart’s miller lite comedy search. His fast paced, energetic, in your face style of comedy has him listed as one of the funniest comedians on the rise which in turn has lead to headlining comedy clubs across the country.
A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Cabell is a comic who reminds you of your mother’s strange friend or dysfunctional advice columnist. Dead end jobs, bad dates, aging, and the single scene are just some of the topics covered in a set that feels like part therapy session, part manifesto. Voted ‘Most Likely To Fall Off A Bar Stool Looking For A Life Partner’ by her peers, she is a Triad favorite performing in clubs and venues across the South.
Chaz, Chester and Chadwick Cardigan are the only members of the very exclusive and very hard to get into Cardigan Club. They travel from stage to stage, interviewing audience members and using the information given to them to reimagine what that persons life might have been like in the hopes that the interviewed audience member has what it takes to be part of (dramatic pause) The Cardigan Club!
Sharp-tongued and hilarious. Intelligent and profane. Silly and provocative. Honest and off-kilter. Carlos Valencia, whose comedy has been described by comedy legend Patton Oswalt as "gorgeous level of hilarious wrong", is a comedy insurgent intent on subverting phony mainstream sensibilities and exposing cultural hypocrisies with an arsenal of unapologetic observations and laugh-out-loud irreverence.
We all have a connection to the idea of “home” — whether it be positive or otherwise. CATCh, along with the Charlotte Storytellers, invites you to take your shoes off* and sit a while, as we celebrate (and laugh at) personal stories and improv inspired by “home.”
Charlotte Comedy Theater
Charlotte Comedy Theater is an ensemble of highly skilled comedic performers who improvise scenes and games based on audience suggestions. Versed in both long and short form improvisation, our ensemble creates high energy, audience interactive comedy that will leave you laughing for days.
Chris Monds is originally from the Dunn, NC. He started performing stand-up in June of 2016, and he has opened for several Comic View and Def Comedy Jam alumni. In February of 2018, he became co-host of the PoppaDon Podcast out of Charlotte, NC. His observational style of comedy has captivated audiences and has allowed him to perform comedy up and down the east coast.
Coco Fresh is performing on Saturday night as part of Facebreaker.
Coco Fresh is a New Jack Female on the comedy scene from Charlotte, NC. A Comedy Zone Comedy School Alumni, Former Host of Club Vibrations Saturday Night Live Broadcast on Charlotte's Old School 105.3FM, and entertainment reporter of ESPN980 The Morning Man Cave, The Hollywood Scoreboard. This little lady’s stories of her childhood nightmares to strip club memoirs will tickle your funny bone enough to have completed an ab exercise. She is no stranger to television and has appeared as a dancer on BET's Born to Dance, 106 and Park, MTV's The Wade Robson Project, and CMT's The Ultimate Coyote. She is also a former danced for the WNBA and NBA.
Cook County Social Club is a distinguished group of upstanding gentlemen who specialize in improvised and sketched comedy.
Members' credits include: Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central, the Onion, Second City, Upright Citizen's Brigade, iO Theatre, and the Improvised Shakespeare Company, among others. They have been featured in festivals all over the country like the Chicago Improv Festival, Moontower Comedy Festival, TBS's Just For Laughs, and Piccolo Spoleto
This manly group of five also teaches classes, performs comedy of the written variety, and makes themselves available for travel to locations far and wide for performances of the comedic sort.
Performs Thursday and Friday night.
Based in Charlotte, NC, Crystalle took a comedy class several years ago to overcome a fear of microphones, onset by a debilitating experience on a Middle School talent show that left her running off stage, crying for her mommy. Although she no longer fears microphones, she still confidently cries for her mommy after every show. #therapy
She produces a comedy tour (The 22 Tour) dedicated to leverage the healing power of laughter to put an end to the 22 (daily) military suicides. The tour showcases all veteran comedians and is nationwide.
She has also participated in the SheDevil Comedy Festival in NYC and the NC Comedy Festival. She's opened for many well-established comedians and won quite a few comedy competitions - but none of that makes her funny...so you be the judge (but be gentle).
Clyde Austin aka "Cuzzin' Clyde" is a comedian from Charlotte, NC who talks about his struggles in life, being a father of all girls and relationships. He is sure to capture the crowd with his unique delivery and style of storytelling.
Derek Blackmon regularly opens for John Heffron, Josh Blue, Bill Burr, Chris Franjola & Bob Saget. His radio appearances include Chicago’s Mancow In The Morning & Woody and Wilcox. His jokes have been published in Playboy magazine & The Charlotte Observer.
Don Garrett is from Richmond, VA. He's opened up for Marvin Hunter and Jon Reep. Don is also the co-host of the PoppaDon Podcast.
Darren “DS” Sanders is known as “THE MAN OF MANY FACES” because his facial expressions are as descriptive as his words. Very interactive with his audiences, never be surprised if you or someone in your party becomes part of the show. But don’t worry, it’s always in good taste!
This comedy veteran is very diverse and is the right comic for any audience, having worked groups as broad as fifth graders to the Congressional Black Caucus. His style is upbeat and fast paced so be ready to go on a non-stop laugh ride.
Mr. Sanders travels regularly to military bases entertaining the troops. “Performing for our fighting men and women is one of my greatest sources of pride and I also feel it is my duty”. He has worked many of the finest comedy clubs, along with some the largest universities and colleges in the country. He also regularly works the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in Nassau Bahamas, which is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world today. If you enjoy cruising the seven seas don’t be surprised if he’s the featured the featured comic aboard your fun ship “DS is one of Carnival Cruise Line’s highest rated comedians.
Darren’s credits include five seasons of BET’S Comic View, Comedy Central’s Laugh Riots and NBC’s Charlotte Today.
He has also worked with many of the industry’s biggest names such as Chris Rock, James Gregory, Mike Epps, Monique, Rodney Carrington, Cedric the Entertainer, and Rickey Smiley and travels regularly with the Queen of Comedy SOMMORE.
Eik Eikenberry is a former therapist currently based in Charlotte, NC. His unusual experiences have crowds laughing with him and at him. He's worked with comedy legends such as Gilbert Gottfried and Sinbad.
Evan is energetic yet lazy, analytical yet relatable, absurd yet witty, exaggerated yet precise, surreal yet
accessible, laidback yet engaging, passionate yet tired, but most importantly Evan is in love with cats
making people laugh!!!
Evan is overweight
What is a "Flaggerdoot" anyway? We probably won't answer that in our show, but we will have a fun time with whatever other strange word you shout at us. Flaggerdoot performs a fast-paced show that may or may not include a jackalope.
HOA is the husband/wife duo of Clifton and Dana Hall. After interviewing a couple from the audience the two improvisors use details and information taken from the interview to create funny, sharp and sometimes even really sweet scenes.
Formed in January 2017 by Justin McNeil and Andrew Gleason, HS2 is a monoscene duo. With a focus on grounded characters and relationship, the duo aims to keep it real, keep it funny, and to keep from breaking.
ImprompTue is a Charlotte based improv variety showcase put on by a group of highly energetic innovative thinkers who come together and blend their individual skills to entertain the crowd. This showcase incorporates debating segments, improvisational games, situational skits, and performance challenges with voluntary audience cooperation and participation. This gives our crowd a chance to be competitive, relate minds, and be completely random in a lively non judge-mental setting for adults/kids of all ages and backgrounds.
Created in the Queen City, local improv comedy troupe, Improv Charlotte have been performing family-friendly, short form and long form improv for 12 years with the mission to serve their community through comedy. All profits earned from their shows go directly to local Charlotte charities. Thanks to the generous audiences whom attend performances, Improv Charlotte feels privileged to have donated tens of thousands of dollars over the years to their neighbors in need throughout the Charlotte area. Thank you for helping make a difference!
Quick witted hilarious humor from start to finish. Very few have seen J Bliss and not come away as a fan. He is known as the "crowd favorite" and has been voted NC's funniest person, see his show and find out why.
I am the hornet's nest pounder of all that is holy with me matrimony. Someone who writes important things haphazardly after day drinking all day. An unconditional lover of all things art, t***, and soul on thy beautiful wife. If you see her around, please do not ask for her approval of this bio; I'd rather just tell her to do so.
But in all seriousness, shhhhhhhhhh.
Jake Manning is a pro wrestler, show producer, podcaster and a stand up comedian. After doing comedic pro wrestling for over a decade Jake decide to start doing stand up comedy. To this day he still hasn’t figured out which hurts more bombing on stage or taking a superplex off the top rope. Jake also host as successful comedy/pro wrestling podcast entitled, How Did This Get Booked?!?
James R. Hustle brings you a Unique outlook on life from a perspective not seen by Many. Guaranteed to have you "Hustling" back to see him next time he's in Town
Janeane has had many memorable and critically acclaimed roles in film and television since bursting on the scene in 1992. She's appeared in films such as "The Truth About Cats and Dogs," "Wet Hot American Summer," "Ratatouille" and "Reality Bites." She was a cast member of the Emmy award winning "Ben Stiller Show," as well as the comedy classic "The Larry Sanders Show," and had recurring roles on "24" and "The West Wing." She appeared in Bravo's first scripted series "Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce" and can be seen in the Netflix series "Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp." Along with "Little Boxes," Janeane will appear in several feature films in 2016, including "Blue Angel" and "Speech and Debate."
In addition to acting in film and television, Janeane is an outspoken activist and tours the country as a stand-up comedian. She was instrumental in the successful launching of the first liberal radio network, Air America Radio, where she hosted her own talk show, "The Majority Report." A lightning rod for controversy, Janeane's well-informed opinions and unflinching honesty have inspired laughs as well as striking a chord with the left, right and everyone in between. She is a noted peace activist.
Jason Allen King is a comedian, actor, writer and award-winning filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. With one-of-a-kind life experiences and a passion for performing, King takes audiences to new heights. You can find him touring the country playing a variety of clubs and venues. He has opened for renowned comedians such as John Reep, Christopher Titus, Colin Quinn, and Dave Attell. An official selection of the Burbank Comedy Festival, King was voted Best Of The Fest. He also writes and stars in the popular web series “George & Monty” on FunnyOrDie.com, which was invited to screen at the L.A. Comedy Shorts Festival.
Jay Pharoah is an actor and stand-up comedian. With six seasons as a cast member of NBC's “Saturday Night Live,” Pharoah is best known for his wide array of uncanny celebrity impressions, including President Barack Obama, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Stephen A. Smith, Kanye West and Chris Tucker, as well as his recurring character of school principal Daniel Frye.
JAY most recently played the lead role of “Floyd Mooney” on the Showtime series WHITE FAMOUS. Tom Kapinos wrote and executive produced alongside Jamie Foxx. In film, JAY will next be seen in Steven Soderbergh’s upcoming film UNSANE opposite Claire Foy and Juno Temple. He just wrapped shooting the Lionsgate comedy #TWOMINUTESOFFAME, playing the lead role of Deandre. Last year, he could be heard voicing a role in the Illumination/Universal animated movie SING alongside Matthew McConaughey, Scarlett Johansson and Reese Witherspoon.
Previously, JAY played fun supporting roles in the Lionsgate/CBS Films comedy GET A JOB, opposite Miles Teller and Anna Kendrick, Chris Rock’s film TOP FIVE for Paramount, Universal’s RIDE ALONG opposite Kevin Hart and Ice Cube, the independent film INTRAMURAL and FOX Searchlight’s LOLA VERSUS opposite Greta Gerwig. JAY is known for his spot on impressions on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, and he has voiced various roles on the animated series FAMILY GUY, BOJACK HORSEMAN, LEGENDS OF CHAMBERLAIN HEIGHTS, ROBOT CHICKEN, and the upcoming SUPERMANSION. In standup, JAY’s debut 1HR special premiered on Showtime last year, and he headlines comedy clubs across the country throughout the year.
Jesse Jones has been doing stand-up comedy for the last eight years. His high-energy style and honest story telling allows crowds to connect with him on a personal level whether they want to or not. He has been seen on MTV, Laughs on Fox, reviewed by the New York Times and seen on the web series Fitness Fail with the 3V network.
Join us for this hilarious 90-minute stand-up comedy show featuring Charlotte’s Favorite Comedian,* Johnny Millwater.
Also performing are comics who make Johnny howl with laughter: Todd Riley,
Ed Mabrey, Butch Hockersmith, Ed Fox, Jonathan Williams, Tara Brown, Jordan Centry and Johnny Millwater.
* Johnny has a daughter named Charlotte.
The Jon Twitcherman Sketch Program is the world's only live-streaming sketch comedy show on Twitch. Every month we perform live comedy that varies from the absurd to political to the even more absurd. Featuring members from the New York City-based sketch comedy group Murderfist, we have been performing comedy for over a decade now, and can't wait to make our Charlotte debut!
Jordan Centry began doing stand up comedy in Winston Salem, NC. Now living in Charlotte, Jordan is a regular performer at The Comedy Zone. In addition, Jordan has hosted multiple comedy shows in the Metrolina area, such as Funny on Tap at Southern Range Brewing and The Open Mic at The Comedy Zone.
Julie J spent 25 years on a farm and regularly confuses pediatrician with veterinarian, luckily her daughter doesn't seem to mind. She's been performing comedy for several years in Charlotte NC and was featured in two shows at the 2017 Boston Women in Comedy Festival.
Julio Hennessey brings a different type of funny. Eclectic, ol’school, educated – ignorance is great way to describe my sets. The Hennessey experience highlights current events and real-life situations. The comedic edge that I exhibit, ranges from clean church comedy to real ratchet raunchiness. I’m simply creating my own lane of exaggerated humor to entertain in a multifaceted society.
Have you ever watched a reality dating show that made you go, “What is HAPPENING right now?” Kissmet is an all-female team dedicated to making you ask that same question, through unforgettable characters, storylines, and episodes of its fictional dating show Snatched Up.
“The Land Mermaids take a single suggestion and start with a split screen opening that spreads with big bold characters to end in the Goon River”
Lauren Ansley has been making others laugh from the comedy stage since Spring 2017. Her slight southern accent is only overshadowed by her infectious smile and abnormal height of 5’13. She performed at the Cola Comedy Con (2017) and the Cape Fear Comedy Festival (2018) and is thrilled to be a part of the Queen City Comedy festival.
Lauren Faber is a feral comedian who was raised in a basement by the 90’s comedy specials of Ellen Degeneres, Paula Poundstone and Elvira Kurt. (Yes, she sees the connection now.) She's been compared favorably to a golden retriever and unfavorably (the heckler thought) to PBS. She's very excited to tell you terrible things.
Leigh Gannon was surprised as all heck to wake up one morning as a sexagenarian. While that may sound like a fun mashup between a sexpot and a vegetarian ~ of which she is both ~ it isn’t. To deal with her shock, Leigh turned to standup. When not delivering deadpan observations about her predicament, she enjoys the collaboration of film making, improv comedy, and book club drinking.
Mettlesome Tourco brings the best improv comedians from the award winning, creative collective to new audiences. Durham based Mettlesome has been impressing and entertaining since it’s founding in 2015. With sketch, improv and storytelling, the company has aimed at defining a new Southern voice for comedy. These hilarious performers are at the top of their game ready to do just that and create a never before scene show that’ll be talked about over and over again.
Mimi Benfield, also known as the "Gay Of Sunshine," is the funniest/only lesbian comedian in Charlotte, NC. She first graced the stage in 2012 and has been performing all over the US since. She's shared miss with comedy greats such as Margaret Cho, Chris Kattan, Carlos Mencia, & Jen Kirkman. She proudly produces a weekly mic in Charlotte at Crown Station aptly named, "Nonconsensual Comedy."
This three-prov long form improv team performs prides itself on their eclectic story telling, where they air out their dirty secrets and personal truths. This team not only performs once a month at A.O.S., but they've performed at Tampa Improv Festival, Cape Fear Improv Festival, and the historic Capri Theatre in Gaffney.
Mom’s adhesive has been known to cause serious side effects such as: fits of hysterical laughter, tummy cramps from said hysterical fits, and an insatiable urge to eat glue.
Nicci Hoo is a Brooklyn born, Queens bred comedienne, writer and innovator. Raised by a single mother who always spoke her mind, it was inevitable that she would adopt the same habits.
Nicci has been doing comedy for over a decade and has been killing audiences with her raw and unadulterated humor. Dubbing herself the “Queen of Realness,” Nicci doesn’t hesitate to give her opinion or observations exactly the way she sees it. “Sometimes people don’t want to hear it, but they may have been thinking it, so it’s my job to interpret it and put it out there,” says Nicci.
Never at a loss for words, Nicci keeps the laughter coming and the audience entertained with her quick wit and in-your-face comedy. Nicci has worked with some of the veterans in the comedy game and has featured for major headliners all over the country.
Currently residing in Charlotte, North Carolina, when she’s not on the road doing comedy, she is continuously writing new material for herself and other comedians across the country.