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

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.

Adam Degi

Adam Degi has been a staple at LaughFest for over a decade, both as a performer and producer, and has taken the stage at major festivals including the Boston Comedy Festival, Asheville Comedy Festival, Comedy 10K, and the Traverse City Comedy Festival, Adam won the Funniest Person in Grand Rapids Competition and was featured on the cover of Revue Magazine.

Nick Harvey

Nick Harvey has been featured on Dry Bar Comedy, including his special Divine Timing. Originally from Jackson, Tennessee, Harvey has built a reputation as a rising comic with a sharp perspective and fearless honesty. A military veteran, Nick brings a unique life experience to the stage and has been featured on platforms including Roku’s LAMO, MeMeTV, and Funny Not Famous, performing for audiences across the country.

John Heffron *Special Engagement*

As seen on Netflix and Amazon Prime, John Heffron has appeared on The Tonight Show, Chelsea Lately, The Late Late Show, HBO, FX, VH1, A&E, and CMT. He rose to national prominence after winning Season 2 of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and has since gone on to release multiple comedy albums and specials, including Middle Class Funny and Notes From a Blender. Heffron has also appeared in the Netflix special Brad Paisley’s Comedy Rodeo, starred in the sketch comedy series The Tony Rock Project, and performs regularly on television, podcasts, and stages across the country.

Irene Tu *Special Engagement*

Irene Tu is a Los Angeles-based stand-up comedian, actor, and writer who honed her chops in San Francisco. Her debut comedy album We’re Done Now premiered at #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts, earning praise from Paste Magazine for her “quick wit, relaxed stage presence, and hilariously off-the-wall observations.” She was selected as one of Netflix Is A Joke Festival’s “Introducing” comics, and her 2024 show was named one of the funniest of the year by the Los Angeles Times. Irene has appeared on After Midnight, Hulu, Comedy Central, and CBS’s Comics Unleashed, with her stand-up also featured at Netflix Is A Joke and Don’t Tell Comedy.

Brian Scolaro

Brian Scolaro has performed stand-up on Conan, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Gotham Comedy Live, Comics Unleashed, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, among many others. He has released three stand-up specials: his Dry Bar special Trouble, his Amazon special I Don’t Know Who I Am Either, and his half-hour Comedy Central Presents: Brian Scolaro. Brian is also the creator of four comedy albums available on all platforms and the author of the hilarious book How to Punch a Monkey, available on Amazon.

Keith Lenart

Keith Lenart has made appearances in Last Comic Standing, the Las Vegas Comedy Festival, NBC’s So You Think You’re Funny, and Comcast’s Comedy Spotlight. He has also been in feature films, such as American Wedding, Billy Crystal’s 61, and Vamps alongside Sigourney Weaver and Richard Lewis. Check out his hilarious comedy album, Jokes for Money.

Drew Thomas

Drew Thomas is best known for his standout appearances on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Gotham Comedy Live, where his sharp wit and effortless delivery have made him a favorite with audiences nationwide. Born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in the Bronx, Drew has built a reputation as a polished, high-energy headliner, even earning the title of Best Comedian in Atlanta. He has also appeared on Laughs on Fox, Pure Flix Comedy All‑Stars, and most recently released his Dry Bar Comedy Special.

Jimmy Pardo*Special Engagement*

With hundreds of television appearances under his belt, including unforgettable spots on The Tonight Show, Conan, The Late Late Show, and his special on Comedy Central, Jimmy’s name is synonymous with top-tier comedy. His résumé also includes appearances on Last Comic Standing, The Surreal Life, Becker, That 70’s Show, and countless others. And let’s not forget his iconic hosting stints on National Lampoon’s Funny Money on GSN, AMC’s Movies at Our House, and VH1’s Love Lounge. He has done it all, and brilliantly so.

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.

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!!

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