Contests / Festivals

Audiences be damned! The best way to determine the funniest people is through CONTESTS! Here's a rundown on some of the comedy competitions you can find in the DC/Baltimore area, as well as links to any festivals.

Drafthouse Comedy Challenge.
This event ran in May and June of 2008 at the Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse, and it featured 24 comedians competing for a $1,500 cash prize. Six comedians compete each Wednesday in May, with two advancing each week; then the semifinals and finals are in June (the grand finale is Friday, June 20). You can get more info over at the Drafthouse site.

D.C.'s Funniest College (sponsored by the D.C. Improv).
After a series of preliminaries on the area's campuses, one or two representatives from each participating school goes on to compete in the final showcase (usually in April). One winner takes the trophy home for their school and earns a few other performance opportunities. For more information e-mail allyson@dcimprov.com.

  • 2008: Johns Hopkins University (represented by Nathan Min)
  • 2007: George Mason University (represented by Taylor Edgar)
  • 2006: Howard University
  • 2005: Georgetown University
  • 2004: Georgetown University

EJ'S LANDING (fourth Saturday of every month).
"So you think you are funny" comedy contest -- comics get 6 minutes, winner determined by audience vote. Cash prize for first place, possible runner up prizes. $5 door charge. Show to be recorded for broadcast on Local point tv (at least on 1/26). To get more information, e-mail Kaleidoscopecomedy (at) yahoo.com or call 301-518-9145. Address: 8601 Baltimore Ave., College Park, MD 20740 (in the College Park Inn)

DC SHOWCASE (monthly, with annual finals).
Once a month, seven or eight comedians compete in a showcase at the DC Improv (shows are always on a Tuesday). Judges pick one winner, and after eight or so winners have been gathered, they all come back for a "finals" showcase with fabulous prizes for the big winner. (In past years, performance opportunities.) E-mail info@dcimprov.com for more information.

  • 2008 champ: Hampton
  • 2007 champ: Mike Way
  • 2006 champ: Jon Mumma
  • 2005 champ: Jeremy Schacter
  • 2004 champ: Randolph T
  • 2003 champ: Dave George

FUNNIEST PERSON IN BALTIMORE (every summer).
The Comedy Factory has been host to this contest for the last few years. It starts in summer with a series of 10 or so first round showcases (usually Wednesdays); three winners from each go on to the semifinals, and then one finals showcase (in the fall) determines the winner. The big prize in past years has been $2,500.

FUNNIEST FED (spring 2007).
Organized by Naomi Johnson and staged at the Arlington Drafthouse, this contest ran for six weeks. You gotta have a sense of humor to work for the government ... find out more at funniestfed.com.

DC COMEDY FESTIVAL (summer).
The 4th annual festival will be held in August 2008. Each year the number of comics and industry involved has grown ... plus this year they're highlighting a few political acts. Should be a hell of a time. In the past the festival has been spread over three days and several venues around the DC area; it includes stand-up, improv and sketch comedy and in addition to the performances for the public it has included comedy classes during the day. You can get full info on festival proceedings at dccomedyfest.com.

BALTIMORE COMEDY FEST (early spring).
This is a series of shows over one weekend, mostly featuring local comics, to benefit autism awareness. 2008 dates: April 4-6. You can get the full details at the festival site.

MID-ATLANTIC COMEDY SMORGASBORD (summer).
This is two weekends of shows put on by the Maryland Ensemble Theatre (31 W. Patrick Street, Frederick, Md.) Here's how they describe it: "The 2nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Comedy Smorgasbord is being brought to you by The Maryland Ensemble Theater in the heart of downtown Frederick, Maryland. This festival, staying true to its name, will feature a variety of comedy from: stand-ups, character monologists, musical & long-form improvisation, short-form improv ... and sketch similar to the style of SNL." The show dates for 2007 are July 20/21 and 27/28. MySpace page.

READING ROOM: On occasion we get humor pieces from comedians -- you can find them all archived in our Reading Room.