The LaughFest 2016 line up has been announced!
LaughFest is the nation’s only 10-day festival of laughter located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 2016 marks the festival’s 6th year! LaughFest draws from all over, with participants and audience members coming from 35 different states plus Canada and the United Kingdom LaughFest features over 280 free and ticketed events on more than 54 festival stages. In 2015, LaughFest nearly 900 performers including 763 participants in free community showcases LaughFest features all things seriously funny, from stand-up comedy, film, and improv to music, dance, and workshops…and everything in between! All proceeds from LaughFest benefit the free cancer, grief, and emotional health support programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.
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2016 Gilda's LaughFest Artist Bios
Chris D'Elia
Chris D’Elia
Sunday, March 13
Fountain Street Church
Rated R…Really!
• Chris D’Elia can be seen starring as Danny on NBC’s hit comedy series Undateable as well as in his
Netflix special Incorrigible.
• He is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after young comedians and actors in the comedy
world, with Variety naming him one of its “Top 10 Comics to Watch.”
• D’Elia quickly became a regular at the Hollywood comedy clubs where he performs multiple times a
week.
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Bridget Everett
Bridget Everett
Saturday, March 12
Wealthy Theatre
For Mature Audiences
• Bridget Everett has been called “the most exciting performer in New York City” on the cover of the
Village Voice , and “raw and riotous” by The New York Times .
• Her film and television credits include Inside AmySchumer, Girls, Sex and the City, Trainwreck and
the upcoming Netflix series Lady Dynamite.
• Everett and her band, The Tender Moments, perform regularly to sold-out crowds across the
country, recently released their album Pound It, and have a live concert special called Gynecological
Wonder.
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Ron Funches
Ron Funches
Friday, March 11 & Saturday, March 12
Pyramid Scheme
Rated R…Really!
• Ron Funches is a very funny stand up comedian with a unique delivery and lovable demeanor.
• His television appearances include recurring roles on Comedy Central’s Kroll Show and Disney’s
Crash and Bernstein.
• You can also catch Ron in his series regular role on NBC’s Undateable and in the 2015 Will
Farrell/Kevin Hart film Get Hard.
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The Grawlix
The Grawlix
Friday, March 18 & Saturday, March 19
Pyramid Scheme
Rated R…Really!
• The Grawlix consists of Adam Cayton-Holland, Ben Roy and Andrew Orvedahl. After performing
together for a few years, the trio officially formed The Grawlix.
• They produced a pilot for Amazon called Those Who Can’t, about three inept Denver high school
teachers, which was picked up by TruTV with an expected air date in early 2016.
• The Grawlix made Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” list.
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Kathy Griffin
Kathy Griffin
Monday, March 14
DeVos Performance Hall
Rated R…Really!
• Two-time Emmy and Grammy award-winning comedian Kathy Griffin is a towering figure on
television, on tour and in publishing.
• Kathy made history with her 6th consecutive Grammy nomination and first win for Best
Comedy Album (Kathy Griffin: Calm Down Gurrl ), joining Whoopi Goldberg and Lily
Tomlin as the only other female comedians to ever win Grammy awards for Best Comedy
Album.
• In 2013 Kathy was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for writing and starring in an
unprecedented 20 televised stand-up specials – more than any comedian in history.
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Anjelah Johnson
Anjelah Johnson
Friday, March 11
Fountain Street Church
Clean Adult Laughs
• Anjelah became an internet sensation with her viral video “Nail Salon” which led to many stand-up
and performance opportunities.
• She has guest starred on shows such as The Shield, Ugly Betty, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and others
all while traveling with her stand up comedy.
• Her second one-hour special, The Homecoming Show, aired on NUVOtv in July of 2013 and is
currently available on DVD.
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Bert Kreischer
Bert Kreischer
Friday, March 18 & Saturday, March 19
Long Road Distillers
Rated R…Really!
• Bert is the host of the Travel Channel’s Trip Flip, an upcoming new season of the hit Bert the
Conqueror, and previously hosted Hurt Bert.
• He is a regular guest on The Joe Rogan Experience and The Rachael Ray Show and has appeared
on Late Night with David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Live.
• His one-hour special, Comfortably Dumb, appeared on Comedy Central and he has written a book
called Life of the Party, Stories of a Perpetual Man-Child.
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Drew Lynch
Drew Lynch
Thursday, March 17
Wealthy Theatre
Clean Adult Laughs
• Drew Lynch moved to Los Angeles with aspirations of becoming a fully articulate film actor. Then
something completely unpredictable happened. During a softball game, Drew got hit with the ball
causing damage to his vocal cords which left him with a stutter.
• Inspired by comedians Bo Burnham, Louis C.K., and his friend Samuel J. Comroe, Drew brings to life
the social hardships of dealing with a newly-found speech impediment.
• Drew was a Golden Buzzer Winner and the 1st runner up on America’s Got Talent Season 10 in
2015.
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Sebastian Maniscalco
Sebastian Maniscalco
Thursday, March 17
Fountain Street Church
Clean Adult Laughs
• In Sebastian’s brand new Showtime stand-up special, Aren’t You Embarrassed?, the sophisticated
comedian with the chiseled cheekbones gives us a hilarious reality check of the world we all find
ourselves living in.
• The 2014 American Comedy Award nominee for Best Club Comedian has established an avid fan
following via national late night television appearances on The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson,
Lopez Tonight, Conan and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
• He is currently writing a pilot for NBC alongside Austen Earl and Greg Garcia.
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Heather McDonald
Heather McDonald
Friday, March 18
The Waldron Public House
Rated R…Really!
• Heather McDonald is one of the most in-demand and multi-faceted comedians today, who not only
juggles a career as a nationally touring stand-up, actress, and accomplished writer, but is also a
devoted wife and mother…when the rest of her family isn’t driving her up the wall.
• She just debuted her first Showtime special I Don’t Mean To Brag, which achieved record ratings
on the network and is currently streaming on Netflix.
• She gained a throng of loyal fans as a staff writer and for her regular roundtable appearances on
E!’s top rated show Chelsea Lately.
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Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers
Saturday, March 12
DeVos Place
Gilda’s Club Signature Event
Clean Adult Laughs
• Seth Meyers is an Emmy Award-winning writer and current host of Late Night with Seth Meyers .
• He was recently named one of the 2014 TIME 100, Time magazine’s 100 most influential people
and recently hosted the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards.
• Meyers began his TV career with Saturday Night Live in 2001, where he was a cast member for
thirteen seasons. He acted as head writer for nine seasons and “Weekend Update” anchor for eight
seasons.
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Jim Norton
Jim Norton
Saturday, March 12
Fountain Street Church
For Mature Audiences
• American comedian, radio personality, bestselling author and actor, Jim Norton is the co-host of
The Opie with Jim Norton Show on Sirius XM Radio and currently has 3 one-hour comedy specials
available on Hulu.
• He has regularly guest-starred on The Tonight Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, Louie ,
and Inside Amy Schumer.
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Marlon Wayans & DeRay Davis wsg Finesse Mitchell
Marlon Wayans & DeRay Davis with special guest Finesse Mitchell
Sunday, March 13
DeVos Performance Hall
Rated R…Really!
• Marlon Wayans is an actor, producer, comedian, writer and film director.
• He is commonly recognized for his role as ‘Marcus Copeland’ in Columbia Pictures’ 2004 hit
comedy White Chicks, opposite Shawn Wayans, Jamie King and Terry Crews.
Wayans
• He can next be seen starring in the comedy spoof Fifty Shades of Black which he also wrote and is
executive-producing. The film, directed by Michael Tiddes and co-starring Mike Epps and Kali Hawk,
opens January 29, 2016.
• DeRay Davis is quickly killing Hollywood with his hilarious humor and persona. His film credits
include Jumping the Broom, Semi-Pro, Old Dogs, Scary Movie 4, Barbershop 1&2 and 21 Jump
Street .
• He won the Comedy Central Laugh Riots Competition and was a standout on the Cedric the
Entertainer Tour and at the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival.
Davis
• Finesse Mitchell was a member of the 2013 Shaq All-Star Comedy Jam tour. He further shined on
the Shaq All-Star one-hour comedy special taped in Atlanta, GA which aired on Showtime.
• He is the host of Beat The Champions, a new FOX network competition special that offers
amateurs the chance of a lifetime – to challenge the world’s premiere athletes for cash prizes.
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Roy Wood Jr.
Roy Wood Jr
Saturday, March 19
Wealthy Theatre
Rated R…Really!
• Roy Wood Jr. is a correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and has been described as
the show’s “breakout star” and “the best part of The Daily Show’s premiere.”
• Wood was a regular on the TBS hit comedy, Sullivan & Son, guest-starring as the likable sidekick
and best friend of bar owner Steve Byrne.
• He has recorded three nationally-released prank call CDs and released his comedy CD Things I
Think, I Think in 2013.
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Clean Comedy Showcase
SHOWCASE I
Clean Comedy Showcase – Thursday, March 10 through Saturday, March 12 – The BOB
Each showcase will feature four comedians who have been pre-selected for their unique ability to bring clean laughs. Audience voting will occur at both Showcases I and II and the top vote-getter throughout the weekend will receive the 2016 Gilda’s LaughFest “Audience Favorite” Clean Comedy Award.
SHOWCASE I
Aaron Aryanpur: Recently making his national TV debut on FOX’s Laughs and a frequently requested comedian and headliner in his own right, Aaron was also a Semifinalist in both Comedy Central’s Up Next Talent Search and NBC’s Stand Up for
Diversity.
Kellen Erskine: Kellen was featured on season 7 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent and has been a finalist of both the San Francisco International Comedy Competition and the Great American Comedy Festival. This past year he performed at the prestigious Bridgetown Comedy Festival in Portland, Oregon.
Erin Foley: Erin is a regular cast member on TruTV’s How To Be A Grown Up and Lifetime’s Mixologist and a Movie! Her successful comedic podcast Sports Without Balls was recently added to the All Things Comedy network, receiving critical
acclaim.
Moody McCarthy: Besides being in constant demand in the country’s best clubs including Caroline’s Comedy Club and The World Famous Comic Strip, Moody has appeared on many television shows including ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live , NBC’s Last Comic Standing and CBS’ The Late Show with David Letterman.
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SHOWCASE II
SHOWCASE II
Quinn Dahle: With appearances on The Tonight Show, Showtime, Comedy Central, Lopez Tonight and Carson Daly, Quinn is a smart and witty stand-up comic with impeccable timing and gut-busting facial expressions. His comedy appeals to all age groups and ethnicities and he loves to talk about them all.
Debra DiGiovanni: Debra has been awarded the Canadian Comedy Award for “Best Female Comic” for the third time in 5 years. Her comedy has a sharp edge while maintaining a playful, happy air. And her persona is one of the best developed of any comic working today.
Joe Larson: Joe started comedy at an early age and has always had a knack for making light of any situation. He was nominated “Best Up-And-Coming Comedian” at the NYC MAC Awards, and was a finalist in both the prestigious Johnny Carson Great American Comedy Festival and the well-respected Boston Comedy Festival.
Paul Varghese: Paul has been seen on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Showtime’s Russell Peters Presents, and Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham. He opened for Dave Chappelle in his mini-tour through Texas in 2012 and has an album on iTunes called Pauland Oates.
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Best of the Midwest Competition
Come see some of the hottest Midwest comedians
Best of the Midwest Competition
Wednesday, March 16 – The BOB
underwritten by Wolverine Worldwide
Rated R…Really!
Come see some of the hottest Midwest comedians around competing for a $2500 cash prize!
Sydney Adeniyi: Sydney is a Nigerian-American comedian from Belleville, IL, who startles audience’s funny bone with satirical and curious material with a touch of mischief. He was featured at Laugh Your Asheville Off comedy festival and won “The Best of The Best” Chicago comedy contest.
Chris Bowers: Chris is a regular guest host on the nationally syndicated radio program The Bob & Tom Show. His comedy challenges conventional wisdom and forces audiences to look at the world from his own skewed perspective. He’s part life coach, part cruise director, and part marriage counselor.
Kate Brindle: Originally from Dexter, Michigan, Kate moved to New York City to study acting at New York University. Since then, she’s been entertaining audiences at venues across the nation, such as Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, Dr. Grin’s Comedy Club…and every bowling alley, basement, and dive in between.
Jim Flannigan: Hailing from Chicago, Jim’s quick wit and smart humor have made him a favorite at colleges, comedy clubs and corporate events alike. Jim has spent the last few years opening for many of the biggest names in comedy, as well as being selected as a finalist in the 2015 World Series of Comedy.
Rob Jenkins: Rob uses his laidback delivery and sharp wit to make keen observations about work, relationships, and everyday life. He recently recorded and released his first comedy album Achievement Unlocked – available on iTunes, Amazon, and Xbox Music.
Chris Knutson: Chris is best known for being one half of the critically acclaimed musical comedy group Valley Meadows. In 2012, laughspin.com nominated Valley Meadows for “The Readers Choice Award for Best Musical Comedy Act,” sharing this distinction with acts such as Weird Al Yankovic and Tenacious D.
Paul Strickland: Paul has won numerous awards including the 2012 “Best Solo Performance” award from Freeline Media and the 2013 Linda Bowen “Pick of the Fringe” award from the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. His albums Levels of Difficulty and Adolescence of Adulthood are played every day on Sirius / XM Satellite Radio.
Russ Williamson: New Jersey native Russ moved to Chicago in 2005 to pursue a career in comedy. During that time he’s played Chicago’s biggest rooms and has worked with comedy’s biggest names. You can currently see him in the NBC show Chicago Fire.
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Gun Lake Casino Presents: National Stand-up Comedy Showcase
SHOWCASE I
Gun Lake Casino Presents
National Stand-up Comedy Showcase – Friday, March 18 & Saturday, March 19 – The BOB
Rated R…Really!
See a showcase of some of the best comedic talent from all across the country!
Ahmed Bharoocha: Ahmed is a stand-up comedian, actor, and member of the sketch comedy group, Dead Kevin. Ahmed and the other two members of Dead Kevin, Ryan O’Flanagan and Jack Robichaud, star in, write, shoot and edit the shorts themselves and release a new short every week.
Jesse Joyce: Jesse is currently a regular guest on @midnight with Chris Hardwick on Comedy Central. As a writer, he has
worked on the last 10 Comedy Central Roasts – from Flavor Flav to Justin Bieber. As a touring stand up, he’s performed in 15 countries on four continents from Saudi Arabia to Malaysia.
Michelle Wolf: Michelle is a NY-based writer and stand-up comedian and one of the fastest rising comedic talents in the city. She currently works as a writing supervisor on Late Night with Seth Meyers , where she also made her late night television debut as a comic in July 2014.
Jenny Zigrino: With the sweetness of the Midwest and the iron balls of the East Coast, Jenny is a comedian who packs a punch of truly original humor. She made her late night debut on Conan O’Brien and took took 2nd place on the TBS show Funniest Wins, hosted by Marlon Wayans.
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SHOWCASE II
Showcase II
Annie Lederman: Annie is a talented comedian known for her hilarious regular panel appearances on Chelsea Lately and as a cast member of MTV’s Girl Code. She recently appeared on Comedy Central’s @midnight with Chris Hardwick, was featured on The Soup Investigates, and performed on the first season of Adam Devine’s House Party.
John Roy: John has a podcast, Don’t Ever Change, where he interviews funny people like Dan Harmon and Kumail Nanjiani about their high school years. He has two albums, Dressed For Recess, on RBC Records, and Alexander Hamilton, on AST Records.
Seaton Smith: In Late 2014, Seaton made his television debut as “Motif” on FOX’s Mulaney. Soon after, in 2015, he had a breakout performance on Late Night with Seth Meyers. He later appeared on Inside Amy Schumer and the fifth season of HBO’s Girls. He is a regular on Comedy Central’s Nightly Show.
Caleb Synan: Caleb has made appearances on CONAN, NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and The Bob and Tom Show. His deceptively smart blend of Southern charm and razor sharp wit has also made him a festival favorite, with appearances at Montreal’s Just For Laughs, Laugh Your Asheville Off, and The Charleston Comedy Festival.
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Other Seriously Funny Shows
March 12th - 19th
Dirty Show – Saturday, March 12 – Pyramid Scheme
Rated R…Really!
• Do you like your comedy inoffensive, free of swear words, and something you could take your
grandmother to? Well, this isn’t the show for you!
• This is the 4th Annual Dirty Show, and we plan on bringing you some hilarious jokes with a side of filth. It
will be raucous, over the top, and mind blowing! When it is all over your sides will be hurting from laughing
and you will walk away with a whole new vocabulary of words you can’t use at church!
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Don’t We Boys – Saturday, March 19 – Dog Story Theater
Rated R…Really!
• The Don’t We Boys is a critically-acclaimed, fast-paced sketch comedy show in the same vein as MTV’s
Human Giant and Comedy Central’s Key & Peele.
• It’s like The Second City on steroids!
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LaughFest’s Best – Friday, March 11 & Saturday, March 19 – Pyramid Scheme
Rated R…Really!
• So many shows, so little time! Check out LaughFest’s Best to get a little sampling of comedians from
across the festival. Local, regional, and national comics take the stage for this secret lineup of seriously
funny folks… you just never know who is going to stop by!
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Pop Scholars – Friday, March 11 & Friday, March 18 – Wealthy Theatre
Clean Adult Laughs
• Pop Scholars is a 4-man, Grand Rapids-based, fast-paced improv team. They’ve been doing
improvisational comedy for over 5 years in Grand Rapids but have performed all over Michigan, Ohio,
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