Watching 1. Zainab Johnson
When you are one of thirteen children you’ve got to stand out – or stand up – to get attention. After her dreams of becoming a WNBA player were cut short by a tragic accident, Zainab found her way to the stage – and now she is about to break out from the pack again. Her smart and edgy storytelling is informed by her experiences growing up in Harlem in an African-American Muslim family.
2. Raul Sanchez
Raul was born in Mexico, crossed the border with his family, and was raised in Texas. After serving three tours of duty on the front lines of Afghanistan and Iraq for the US Army, Raul sought the comfort of comedy to help with his PTSD. He truly sees the comedy in tragedy and his act highlights the lighter side of everyday life and war.
3. Daniel Webb
Daniel is a fifth-generation Texan. Growing up in the nineties in Hurst, Texas as a gay boy who didn’t fit in had its challenges. Daniel’s unique take on being an empowered gay man in the heart of Texas is as powerful as it is funny.
4. Rocky Dale Davis
There is more than meets the eye with Alabama native Rocky Dale Davis. Raised by a single mom who worked tirelessly to keep food on the table, Rocky is often misjudged as your typical Southern white boy. However, Rocky’s progressive outlook in his material takes turns you wouldn’t expect. Rocky is sure not to alienate liberals or conservatives as no one in the audience is safe when he takes the stage.
5. Mia Jackson
Named Atlanta’s best stand up comedian in 2017, Mia Jackson has caught the eye of comedy legends like Dave Chappelle and Amy Schumer. She is the country girl next door you want to be best friends with as she delivers hilariously snarky jokes about highly relatable subjects.
6. Rob Christensen
Rob Christensen is a former PCP dealer turned Air Force vet turned comedian from Brooklyn. His tough guy exterior is turned inside out as he embraces his softer side on stage with hilariously absurd one-liners and his startling admission that he uses moisturizer.
7. Becky Braunstein
Becky Braunstein is literally one in a million. As an Alaskan Jew, she has hilarious stories of just how bizarre it is to live in the Last Frontier while still trying to observe the Sabbath. A battle with cancer prompted her to try stand up comedy. Now a survivor, she lives in Portland where she is taking the mainland by storm.
8. Mohanad Elishieky
Mohanad Elishieky is living the American dream. He recently fled his war torn homeland of Lybia and is pursuing a career in comedy. As an immigrant from a no-fly country, his keen observations about American life are razor sharp and unforgettably funny. While many comedians perform for the love of the spotlight, Mohanad is performing for survival, because he knows he can’t go back home.
9. Paris Sashay
A self-described “survivor,” Paris Sashay is thriving on the comedy scene. A DC area native, she started her career 6 years ago with the help of her loving and supportive family. She is fearless both on stage and off, garnering laughs with stories about her family, her recent coming out, and her struggles as kid.
10. Shane Mauss
Like any real Midwesterner, Shane Mauss is riddled with depression and was never supposed to talk about it…until now. Shane takes a deep, yet comedic look at traditionally taboo subjects like suicide, depression, and drug use. But much like his personal life, he balances out his act with other topics like crossfit and science.
11. Jessa Reed
Jessa Reed is anything but shy. This former meth-head approaches her audiences with pure candor as she recounts some truly unbelievable stories from her past.
12. Scout Durwood
As comedy continues to expand its boundaries to include a broader variety of voices, Scout Durwood is shining in the spotlight. Scout knows what it’s like to be the outsider and has created a place for herself onstage with an act unlike any other. She seamlessly blends original songs, absurd dance, and provocative stand up comedy into one hilarious performance.
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