Our Beautiful Featured Performers
Note: Order based on speed run times for Rainbow Road on Mario Kart 64 and credit score.
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Juan Arellano, originally from Chicago, honed his comedic skills in Indianapolis and has become a notable figure in the world of comedy. He achieved recognition as a top 9 finalist in the 2023 Indiana's Funniest comedy competition and has established himself as a respected opener for prominent Latino comedians like Richard Villa, Led Varela, Martin Amini, and Ken Flores.
In addition to his stand-up success, Arellano is a host and producer, managing two Indianapolis comedy shows – "El Tomatadero" and "Protocol" at Hotel Tango Distillery – providing platforms for both regional and national comedians.
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Jacqui Marpa is a Filipino-American comic based in Michigan and has been a fixture in the Mitten state’s comedy scene. Towering at 5 feet, this five-footer’s act is reminiscent of the experience that comes with eating Sour Patch Kids– first she grabs your attention with biting honesty, then relieves the tension with playful quips.
While Jacqui’s sunny disposition gives the impression that her jokes are wholesome in nature, she naughtily uses dark humor and sprinkles in some unexpected analogies to make light of her experiences navigating through life. A naturalized citizen, Jacqui also engages in cheeky social commentary when sharing her farcical observations of her adopted country and its mores.
Jacqui is a co-producer of Mac’s Monday Comedy night in Lansing, Michigan, and has been a featured performer at comedy festivals like Gilda’s Laughfest and Stoopfest, and comedy clubs such as Dr. Grins Comedy Club and Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle. She also has shared the stage with national touring headliners Beth Stelling and Dave Attell in the past.
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Sammy Mowrey is a comic, writer and friend to some originally from Albuquerque New Mexico, now living in LA.
They’ve been seen on Max and Adult Swim as well as featured in Vice and The Atlantic.
Sammy once got banned from Twitter for impersonating JK Rowling. Tweeting things like “Snape is trans but not in the way you’d expect!”
They also run Femmes the Rules which has been featured at SF Sketchfest and Rip City Comedy Fest.
Most importantly, though, Sammy is in love with you.
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Rebecca Robinson is a stand-up comedian and writer currently based in Brooklyn, New York.
Rebecca was crowned winner of the 2018 Aspen Laugh Festival. She is an honorary member of the Female Comedians of Hawaii. She has toured all over the country and performed at many festivals including Flyover Comedy Festival.
Famously, she hates thin milkshakes and social inequality
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Kristin Lytie is a stand up comedian living in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She cut her teeth in the Chicago comedy scene and was even named a “Comic to See” by the Chicago Tribune. Kristin is a regular at Wisconsin comedy shows and travels the country to perform between union meetings. She was named "Comic of the Week" on the popular podcast, The Jackie and Laurie show. Kristin has opened for Eddie Pepitone, Bobcat Goldthwait, Kyle Kinane and Laurie Kilmartin to name a few. Kristin has performed in the Altercation Comedy Festival (Austin, TX), Limestone Comedy Festival (Bloomington, IN), the long running Milwaukee Comedy Festival and many more.
An eternal optimist, she has worked in progressive politics for the past fifteen years as a community and union organizer. That passion has brought her back to Green Bay, Wisconsin. Her comedy is a product of her core beliefs of justice, equality and DIY ethics. She also hosts Bloody Mary, a podcast about horror movies. Guests range from comics to professors to organizers- all talking about their favorite horror movies!
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Sam Rager is a comedian with a disarmingly dark perspective that's been captivating audiences for over a decade. She's been a headliner at both the inaugural Detroit Women of Comedy Festival and the Stand U.P. Festival. Recognized as a rising star in Detroit's comedy scene by 101.9 WDET and featured in Hour Magazine, Sam's comedic talent shines through. You can catch her debut album, "Trigger Warning," on SiriusXM, delivering a hilarious and unforgettable performance.
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Mitchell Potts is a comedian that is based out of Chicago, IL. Using a combination of self-deprecating humor and clever one-liners, Mitchell has charmed audience across the Midwest.
He has been accepted as a featured performer for the Limestone, Milwaukee and Cape Fear comedy festivals and has also appeared on the nationally syndicated radio show Bob & Tom.
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Elle Orlando is a standup comedian, writer, podcaster, and blonde girl. Elle grew up in the mean streets of the Chicago suburbs but started her comedy career in NYC. Elle is passed at New York Comedy Club and can be seen playing at clubs such as The Stand, BKLYN Comedy club, The Tiny Cupboard, Union Hall, Broadway Comedy Club, and more all over the city. She was been featured at Milwaukee Comedy Festival 2022, SLO Comedy Festival 2023. Elle has been featured on the Bonfire on Sirius XM with Dan Soder and Big Jay Oakerson and has featured for Jared Freid, Dan Levy, Greg Stone, and Michael Yo. Check out her new podcast “Elle Diablo The Podcast” coming out at the end of September!
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Derek Sheen is a cuddly mess of insecurities and a gifted, one-of-a-kind storyteller. His ability to mine humor from the dark, humid corners of the human condition has made him a cult favorite of comedy nerds around the globe.
Despite a lack of television or film credits, he has amassed a pretty loyal fan base touring with comedy legends (name-drop alert!) Brian Posehn, Patton Oswalt and Janeane Garofalo.
Derek Sheen has released four critically acclaimed albums on Minneapolis based Stand Up! Records, with Grammy Winning producer Dan Schlissel.
All four albums are available for streaming on Spotify and Apple Music right now!
"DEREK SHEEN IS A GODDAMN DELIGHT! SO FUNNY AND SMART IT MAKES ME MAD."
- Brian Posehn
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A comedian from the heart of Indiana with a long strange trip of a story. Growing up being ignored by a biker father and loved by a hippie mother, a young Jake set out to find himself.
After years of drug abuse and excessive drinking, a church opened up their doors to help set this drifter on a better course. Soon after the drugs and booze were gone, a life of preaching began. After a few years, the drifter inside started clawing his way out again and the search for his true self set this now father of three out of the church and into the clubs.
Staying away from heavy topics and just telling stories of years gone by and his three feral children, Jake has been on Peacock TV and has worked with comedians such as Dusty Slay, AJ Wilkerson and is currently on tour with Jason Mewes from Jay and Silent Bob. From coast to coast, Jake has one goal in mind...Laugh and Be Blessed. 🙏
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Cam O’Connor has a lot of fun performing standup comedy. He kinda just tells his story with nothing to hide. He seems to enjoy sharing.
Cam also enjoys producing comedy shows in his beloved Indianapolis.He’s a pretty nice guy, but you can sense a darkness in him. : )
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Dwight's debut comedy special, "Who's The Master" debuted on YouTube on July of 2023. His self-produced album "Sip and Pass" reached #1 on the iTunes comedy charts, making it his second release to do so.
In that same year, he was listed as Indiana’s selection for Thrillist’s 50 Best Undiscovered Comics in the country. Dwight’s comedy has been featured on Kevin Hart’s LOL on Sirius XM and on the Bob and Tom show for which he is also a writer.
He is a co-director of the Limestone Comedy Festival and the creator and host of the web series BrewTube Comedy. Be sure to check out his podcast Mat and Dwight Just might wherever music is available.
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Often described as raunchy, irreverent, and a disappointment by her mother, Ella Horwedel has been an energetic force in the Michigan comedy scene for the past five years.
She has performed at clubs all over the country, where she explores the difficulties of being a 24-year-old woman through bawdy stories and intimate self-reflection.
She has opened for Eddie Pepitone, Yamaneika Saunders, Jordan Jensen, and Beth Stelling, and was a featured performer at Laughfest, Blue Whale Comedy Festival, Altercation Comedy Festival, and Skankfest South. She will be a featured performer at Laughing Skull Comedy Festival this fall. She is currently the producer for Don't Tell Comedy Ann Arbor and a producer for Tree Town Comedy Festival.
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Alyx Libby is an actor-turned-comic who currently resides in Atlanta and tours throughout the US.
You’ve seen her onstage at The Laughing Skull Lounge, Sidesplitters Comedy Club and RoleCall Theatre, where she also produces A-List Comedy. She’s been on Limestone Comedy Festival (featured performer 2023), The 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival (featured performer 2022), Red Clay Comedy Festival (host 2018, 2022) and West End Comedy Fest (featured performer 2022, host 2023).
Her TV credits include Showtime, BET and Oxygen.
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Jordan Scott Huggins is a comic, and writer in Raleigh, North Carolina.
As a comic he's featured in the Limestone and Cape Fear Comedy Festivals. He's written for a number of shows including The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, and Younger.
Yes, he is missing his two front teeth. His debut comedy album “Beefy” debuted at #1 on iTunes and Amazon.
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Mark Chalifoux is a nationally touring comedian who has told jokes on FOX and IFC and can be heard regularly on SiriusXM.
His comedy album has been streamed millions of times on Pandora and his new Dry Bar special already has more than 1 million views.
He’s written for ESPN, CBS and he’s one of the voices behind social media phenomenon “The Dad."
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A staple to the Indy comedyverse and beyond, Sara is a viral sensation who backs it up live and in person on the stage! We are hyped to have Sara on the fest and you’ll have plenty of chances to see her. Follow @sarapoptarts and find her celebrating with us LF WKND, Sept 28-Oct 1st!
Bio: Sara is funny and awkwardly fierce. She is edgy and hits topics on relationships and growing up in the country. She’s a viral sensation on social media as sarapoptarts.
Outside of comedy she enjoys cats, smelling candles and dipping sauces. She is widely irresponsible and tells her stories of bad decisions she has made.
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Victoria Vincent is a rising star in the Chicago Comedy Scene. The Columbus, Ohio native is a comedian and healthcare worker.
She is one of the Just for Laughs New Faces of Comedy 2022 and just recorded her Don't Tell Comedy Feature Set. She has performed all over the country including The Comedy Store, Comedy On State, Zanies and The Laugh Factory.
Victoria Vincent has opened for Maria Bamford, Kyle Kinane, Cameron Esposito, Hannah Berner, Bobcat Goldthwait, many more and was featured in the Chicago Reader.
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Adam Gilbert is happy to see you.
The Indiana native cut his teeth in the midwest alternative comedy circuit, opening for touring comics such as Doug Stanhope, Robert Kelly, Todd Barry, and Brian Posehn. Adam recently moved to New York after being announced as a New Face at the Just For Laughs Festival in 2022.
He was then featured on the Chrissy Chaos podcast and recently opened for Chris Distefano at the Chicago Theatre.
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Jeff Stonic is a dairyland-raised, Denver-based standup comedian, poet, and person that makes stuff with cameras. He can also light his farts on fire but retired the act because he kept ruining his nice jeans. For more, visit www.jeffstonic.com.
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Alex Bozinovic began his stand-up comedy career in 2014, in Detroit, MI. He quickly became a staple in the Detroit indie stand-up comedy scene.
Alex has opened for nationally touring comedians Chris Gethard, Eddie Pepitone, Jen Kirkman, Corrine Fisher, Joe Mande, Stavros Halkias, Shane Torres and DeAnne Smith. He has also appeared in Limestone Comedy Festival, Let's Fest, Gilda's Laughfest, Middle Ground Comedy Festival, Fountain City Comedy Festival, and The Midwest Queer Comedy Festival. In 2021, Alex was featured in The Hour Magazine as one of 6 stand-outs in the Detroit Comedy Scene.
Alex is also a co-founder of The Independent Comedy Club in Hamtramck, MI.
Alex co-created The Burt Selleck Podcast with his friend and fellow comic, John Mahar. It is a comedic show about never letting your co-host get a leg up on you. Alex also plays Thomas Luge on The TRUTHcast, a parody conspiracy theory podcast he created with Mike Bobbitt. If two podcasts wasn't enough, Alex started The Lunchpilled Podcast with fellow Detroit comedian Brett Mercer where they share a half satirical and half genuine opinion on the modern day workplace. Alex is a standup comedian who can be seen on stages all over the Midwest and beyond.
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@abearcomedian
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In 2022 Patrick Murray was the second funniest person in the 16th largest city of 3rd largest country in the world. He also has gout.
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Tyson Cox loves comedy, plain and simple. Chasing this dream he’s slept in his cramped car and flown on… cramped airplanes. But in his travels he’s made memories, fans, and friends. This joy can be felt when he performs and it has lead him to get the chance to do things he only dreamed of when growing up on a farm.
He’s performed all over this country at many great clubs, casinos, bars, basements, open fields, and army bases. He’s shared the stage with a few celebrities sure but he's also got to perform with and impress his personal favorites, and a few scoundrels. [You know who you are]
He also uses his powers for good, he gives back by putting on a monthly comedy show benefitting the Indianapolis Humane Society.
If you’re a fan of the underdog or chasing a dream then you should probably catch his next show. Or not, I’m not your dad.
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Gwen Sunkel is an Indianapolis comedian, emcee, and character actor. She performs regularly at Helium Comedy Club and The White Rabbit Cabaret where she is a cast member with An Evening With The Authors*.
You’ve seen her at Cincinnati Brew Ha-Ha, Yuckfest, and Limestone Comedy Festival and on the Vice TV Series ‘Hunters.’ Her album ‘No More Tears’ debuted at #1 on the Apple Music and Amazon charts.
Gwen is also contributing writer for AWF Magazine and her comedy has been seen on Buzzfeed and EBaum’s World. She is a producer of Middle Ground Comedy Festival and has co-hosted a series of benefit shows that have raised over $15,000 for reproductive health organizations in the Midwest.
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David Brooks is a comedian from Indianapolis, IN who got his start in comedy at Second City in Chicago, IL. After improv, he started stand up comedy in Indianapolis, and hasn’t looked back since.
Brooks was the winner of the 2022 "Funniest Person in Indiana" contest held at Helium Comedy Club. He's performed at comedy clubs across the country, including the world famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles. David has also been featured in nationwide comedy festivals such as Let’s Fest, Cincy Brew HaHa, Crossroads Comedy Festival and Super Dope Festival.
He has opened up for the likes of DL Hughley and Kyle Kinane, Anthony Jeselnik and anyone who's seen him perform agrees that his future in comedy is BRIGHT. His unique past and storytelling ability, mixed with his versatile performance style has made him a rising comedian in the Midwest.
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Willie Griswold is an Indianapolis comedian and a cast member of the Bob and Tom Show who started performing in Chicago while studying at the Second City Conservatory. Griswold has opened for nationally touring comedians like Greg Hahn and Josh Arnold. He loves comedy, chicken wings, the Pacers and the Colts.
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Jeanie started her career at the tender age of five when she quickly learned that as the youngest of eight children she needed a hook if she ever wanted to be fed, bathed, or have her existence acknowledged in any way. Failing miserably at tap dancing, Irish dancing, gymnastics, and academics, she carved out her comedy niche with kick-ass knock-knock jokes and soon rose to fame at the family dinner table with such classics as: “knock-knock.” “knock-knock.” “knock-knock! Open the door! You left me outside again!”
Since her kitchen table debut, Jeanie has entertained audiences at colleges, casinos, and corporate events, and is a regular at venues such as Zanies Comedy Clubs, The Laugh Factory, and The Comedy Bar. She was highlighted in Chicago Parents’ Magazine’s Four of Chicago’s Funniest: Stand Up Parents, and was featured on Team CoCo’s House All Star Showcase, and Nick Jr.’s Moms’ Night Out debut stand up special.
Jeanie has set herself apart with her quick observations and no-apology take on teaching, parenthood, and American culture. Her sharp wit draws on her experiences growing up on the South side of Chicago and 20 years as a public school teacher to deliver comedy that reaches audiences of all walks of life.
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Louis is childish at heart “edgy and not entirely well thought out” jokes, & stories will have an audience's laughing to their surprise at some darker topics, cutting like a butter knife with an edge.
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John Gasper is a Stand Up comic based in Chicago.
John performs all over the country and has opened for Beth Stelling, Greg Fitzsimmons and many other comics more successful than him.
His comedic style is “good comedy that is good and makes you haha lolz.” John also writes for The Onion. John wrote this.
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Joshua is a Dine’ (Navajo) comedian, writer, and actor based in Denver, Colorado.
He is the Co-Chair of the Denver American Indian Commission, the Jumbotron Host for the Colorado Mammoth, and a founding member of the award-winning comedy troupe and production company, DeadRoom Comedy.
Joshua has performed comedy all over the country including Comedy Works, Ball Arena, and Red Rocks Amphitheater. Joshua has been featured in multiple outlets including Boulder Weekly, WestWord, and the Denver Post
Joshua works at the Denver Zoo and lives at home with his partner, Rachel and his dog, Lola.
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Andrew Yang is a comedian from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Voted “Best Comedian in Washtenaw County” in 2022 by Current Magazine, Andrew runs shows at a punk rock venue in the Blind Pig and is a producer of the Tree Town Comedy Festival.
Onstage, Andrew charms audiences with his energetic personality and engrossing stories mostly at his own expense. He has been fortunate enough to work with a few of his comedy heroes including Beth Stelling, Jackie Kashian, and one time had lunch with Maria Bamford.
Andrew has performed at the Motor City Comedy Festival, Traverse City Comedy Festival, and clubs all over the Midwest. When he’s not on stage he’s probably on Uber Eats trying to decide what to eat later.
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Hannah Belmont is a comedian and producer from the suburbs of Chicago. She is one of about six Jews from her incredibly Christian hometown and she will make sure that you know that. She has performed at Zanies, the Laugh Factory, the Comedy Bar, the Comedy Vault, Hilarities, the Lincoln Lodge, Second City, and many more clubs around the Midwest. She has opened for Mekki Leeper, Bobby Collins, Richard Villa, Bill Squire, Sean Donnelly, and Raul Sanchez. She has performed in several festivals, including Rubber City Comedy Festival, Cleveland Comedy Festival, Ingenuity Fest, and Sixth City Comedy Festival. She is also the head of the Oberlin College Stand Up Comedy Coalition, where she books and produces shows at the college. Hannah is very happy to be here!
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A stand-up comedian, writer and performer currently based in New York City, Ben Katzner has performed across the country and has participated in numerous comedy festivals including: the Limestone Comedy Festival, the Comedy Exposition in Chicago, Hell Yes Fest in New Orleans, the Harlem Comedy Festival and the Orlando Indie Comedy Festival.
Katzner’s debut graphic novel, "Hello, My Name is Poop", was published by Wonderbound books in 2021. More of Katzner’s written work can be found in places like Insider, USA Today and Buzzfeed.
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Lucas Waterfill is a seriously brilliant comedian. He is able to make big points about society, while being sure to make it plain that he doesn't have the answers either. He doesn't hide his mistakes, and he has a great vocabulary at his disposal to help describe them.
He's won several contests and been in several festivals. He's opened for several famous people, making their job more difficult, as the audience falls in love with Lucas every time.
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Caitlin Checkeroski is originally from Michigan and now performs stand-up at the Laugh Factory and all over Chicago.Recently, she got to share the stage with Aparna Nancherla at the prestigious 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival.
She has participated in the Orlando Indie Comedy Festival (2017), Crom Comedy Festival (2017), Asheville Comedy Festival (2019) and Memphis Comedy Festival (2019). She is currently managed by her dog, Oscar.
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Sohile Ali is an Afghan-American stand-up comedian from Bloomington, Indiana. He is a regular at Helium Comedy Club in Indianapolis, The Brick Room Comedy Club in Noblesville, Indiana, and performs at several other venues across the Midwest. Sohile has been fortunate to work with talented comedians such as KC Shornima, Andrew Rudick, and Bassem Youssef.
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Emily Davis is a sweetheart, queer, and comic out of Bloomington and Indianapolis, Indiana.Emily was previously voted the Funniest Person In Bloomington, and has been featured at Limestone Comedy Festival, Middle Ground Comedy Festival, and Yuck Fest. Emily has been seen performing on Vice Network and generally just all over the Midwest.
You can listen to her podcast Secret Opinion anywhere you can hear podcasts.