Comedy Writing & Performance Workshop

6-Week Course | Beginner-Friendly | Culminates in a Live Showcase. Whether you’re a beginner ready to craft your first “tight five” or a seasoned comic looking to refine your material, this 6-week workshop is designed to elevate your comedy. Through weekly sessions, you'll explore essential topics such as joke structure, comedic style, point of view (POV), timing, stage presence, and delivery. Each class includes opportunities to perform your material in a supportive, collaborative environment that encourages experimentation and growth. Beyond writing jokes, this workshop helps strengthen overall communication skills—building confidence, enhancing stage presence, and learning how to authentically connect with an audience using humor as a tool. The course culminates in a live performance at the legendary Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, where students take the stage and share their work with a live audience.

Comedy Jamm Open Mic

It will be a comedy cavalcade as we present the current rising stars in the Detroit Metro area and beyond. You will see a variety of comedians, from beginners trying their hand at comedy (sometimes they are the funniest) to established comics unveiling new material & comedians auditioning to perform at the Comedy Showcase.

Billy Ray Bauer

Billy Ray Bauer has been a frequent guest on The Bob &Tom Show and has also made appearances on Comedy Central and Night Shift and Just for Laughs on Canadian TV. His jokes have been featured in Reader’s Digest and he was named best local comedian by Hour Detroit Magazine.

Josh Adams

Josh Adams’ impressive list of accolades includes victories at BET's Apollo Live Season 2 at the legendary Apollo Theater, Showdown in Motown, Funniest Person in Grand Rapids, Best of the Fest at the Detroit Laugh Comedy Festival, and New York's Devil's Cup Comedy Competition. Josh’s talent has also landed him unexpected but memorable moments on screen, including a hilarious (and accidental) roast of NFL athletes on HBO’s Hard Knocks. He’s a regular on WDET’s What’s So Funny About Detroit?, and his comedy album, Live at the Drop, showcases his undeniable ability to command a room.

Tommy Ryman

Tommy Ryman is an acclaimed comedian and former semifinalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, celebrated for his uniquely offbeat, delightfully awkward style. He stars in the hit Dry Bar Comedy special Activated and has appeared on Nickelodeon’s NickMom Night Out. His album Party Troll reached No. 1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts, and all of his releases continue to receive regular airplay on SiriusXM, Spotify, and iHeartRadio. His newest stand-up special, Smashed Pancake, debuted in 2025 and is available on multiple streaming platforms.

Comedy Nerdz Happy Hour

Come early. Get nerdy. Stay for the show. Comedy Nerdz is a pre-show happy hour for stand-up fans and comedy-curious folks who want to meet the comics before they hit the stage. Hang out in the Laugh Lounge and meet some of the performers from the Comedy Jamm open mic—no panels, no pressure, just comics being delightfully awkward in public. Host Bruce Umpstead & Featured comedians! Details: 🕔 Doors open at 5:30pm (with valid ticket or guest pass) 🍺 $1 off draft beers from 5:30–6:30pm (Laugh Lounge only) 🍿1/2 off popcorn baskets from 5:30-6:30pm (Laugh Lounge only) 🎟 No cover for the happy hour—check in at the box office 🎤 Showroom opens at 6:30pm and the mic goes live at 7:15pm

Jay Stevens

ay Stevens has appeared on FOX, TBN, and TCT Network's Celebrate Live Detroit, and can regularly be heard on SiriusXM's clean comedy channels. He is also the star of the popular Dry Bar Comedy special Life Is Hilarious, which has earned millions of views and introduced his comedy to audiences worldwide.

The Sklar Brothers*Special Engagement*

The Sklar Brothers bring their signature blend of fast-paced, razor-sharp comedy to the stage for an unforgettable night of stand-up. The brothers are also the hosts of the hit podcasts Dumb People Town and View From the Cheap Seats, and remain beloved for their cult-classic ESPN series Cheap Seats, where they hilariously dissected obscure sports broadcasts.

David Dyer

David Dyer’s comedy credits are vast, including having appeared on Dry Bar Comedy and as a regular guest and sometimes guest host on The Bob and Tom Show. He’s contributed to The Zany Report for Bob and Tom, NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and ABC’s Politically Incorrect. In addition, he frequently guest-hosts various local radio shows for Cumulus Broadcasting in Grand Rapids. Dyer’s comedy extends beyond the stage and into the digital world. He’s the creator and host of his podcast Idioms, appeared in a TEDx video, and released his comedy album Uncooked.

Nate Craig *Specal Engagement*

Sal Demilio is a nationally touring comedian known for his big presence, bigger personality, and effortlessly hilarious take on everyday life. Sal has been heard on the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Show, featured regularly on SiriusXM Satellite Radio, appeared at the World Series of Comedy, and co-hosts the popular podcast The Sal and Bob Show. He has performed at premier clubs including Carolines on Broadway, The Comedy Store, and Zanies Chicago, and is a regular at top Michigan venues including the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase and Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle.

Comedy Bingo

Comedy Bingo is a one-of-a-kind stand-up show featuring games, prizes, comedy, and, of course, BINGO! The show features two games happening simultaneously: a traditional bingo game played between comedians’ sets, and a signature Comedy Bingo game where audience members receive cards filled with stand-up comedy stereotypes. As comics incorporate those moments into their performances, you mark your card for a chance to win prizes from local businesses.

Gift Cards

Give the Gift of Laughter! Perfect for birthdays, holidays, date nights, and “just because” No wrapping paper required. Gift Cards can be purchased at the box office or ONLINE!!

CALENDAR