LOcaL: Collaborators
Past and Present
Stand Up Comedian
Israel Avila
Born in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México,Latino/Queer Comic, started comedy in February of 2022 in spanish and switched to English on November same year, opened for one of the Latin kings of comedy Joey Medina. Been on the first bilingual comedy festival September 2023.
Musician
Martin Balgach
Martin Balgach is a singer-songwriter and poet based in Erie, CO. His debut EP will be released later this fall, and his poetry chapbook, Too Much Breath, was published by Main Street Rag. Songs. His poems and writing can be found at www.martinbalgach.com or www.toomuchbreath.com if you can't remember how to spell his last name.
Stand Up Comedian
Christie Buchele
Christie Buchele is an accomplished standup comic from Denver, Colorado. Making a name for herself by sharing the heart-wrenching and hilariously raw realities of being a woman with a disability. Christie has been featured on Viceland’s, Flophouse; Hidden America with Jonah Ray; Laughs on Fox; First Look on NBC.
Comedian and Storyteller
Kate Collardson
Kate Collardson rekindled a love for the stage after a 20 year hiatus while pursuing a career in renewable energy and creating a family. The new journey began with a stand-up comedy slam in February of 2020, just before the world shut down for COVID. After three years of online classes and showcases, Kate is thrilled to be performing in front of a live audience again.
Improvisor & Host
Christy Cork
Christy is a Groundlings trained improviser that loves to bring silliness, emotion, and connection to her comedy and to her audiences. She is currently in the improv duo In Other News and the headlining improv team Welcome to the Dojo. Mostly she is excited to be building the comedy community in Longmont with LOL and loves hosting and performing in the Sunday Comics. By day, she practices psychiatry in her private practice Connections Psychiatry (COConnectionsPsych.com). Her work helps her bring emotion to the stage and levity to her work.
Stand-up Comedian & Host
Ren Q. Dawe
Ren Q. Dawe (he/they) is a trans comedian and genderqueer prankster. Lauded as a highly unsuccessful author, Ren is the organizer of the Colorado Queer Comedy Festival, and has been seen in festivals and comedy clubs from New York to Portland to Alaska. Their jokes have been featured on 9News, NYCTourism, and NPR. You can catch them on their first national tour, the Pretty Witty Gay Comedy Show, throughout 2024!
Musician
JONATHAN duane
I am about an entire philosophy. Songs and singing are a way of communicating ideas, emotions and even mystical moments. We all share the common experience of existence. Whatever your beliefs – we are here together. And that is the greatest gift in my life. I hope my songs take you to a pleasant place with some new ideas, some old feelings and some strong energy to produce a better tomorrow for us all.
Stand-up Comedian
Rebecca Em
Becca is a northern Colorado-based comedian whose personal experiences inform her style of sharp, quick-witted observational humor. When Becca is not performing, she is on the jiu jitsu mats attempting to choke out her opponents or in general being very demure.
Stand-up Comedian
Joshua Emerson
Joshua is a Navajo comedian based in Denver. He is a regular contributor for CityCast Denver, serves on the Denver American Indian Commission and won the 2023 Mayor's Award for Excellence in Arts & Culture. Joshua performs at clubs and festivals all over the country and has been featured in The Denverite, Westword Magazine, Boulder Weekly, and Indian Country Today. The Denver Post raves, "Joshua's jokes blend raunchiness and mudanity, which allows him to straddle both worlds and perspectives." He lives at home with partner, Rachel, and their pets, Lola, Henry, and Joanna.
Improvisor & Host
Ian Gibbs
Ian Gibbs has been performing and teaching Improv Comedy for the last 25 years. He did a 2 year theater program at Circle in the Square in NYC and has trained with Second City NY, The Upright Citizens Brigade and the Groundlings. He has studied improv with Armando Diaz, Joe Bill, Amey Goerlich and many more. He currently lives in Boulder, CO where he performs regularly with The Front DeRanged Improv Comedy Troupe, Welcome to the Dojo and the Chaos Bloom Mainstage Players Denver.
Stand-up Comedian
Hannah Gray
I'm Hannah Gray, a comedic whirlwind shaking up the Denver scene with my charm and sharp wit. A proud Navy veteran, I've graced platforms like the Kill Tony Podcast and shared the stage with comedy icons such as Pauly Shore and Rachel Wolfson. As the sole producer of this year's Front Range Funny Festival, I bring my military grit and a unique perspective to my punchlines, transforming my experiences into relatable humor. My goal is to connect with audiences through laughter, proving that joy knows no limits. Get ready for an unforgettable ride filled with laughs!
Stand-up Comedian
Heather Gray
Meet Heather Gray, a Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist and Bioenergetic Practitioner specializing in supporting clients with chronic and complex illnesses such as Lyme disease, Mold Toxicity and Autoimmune diseases. With over 32 years of personal experience, she understands the struggles of living with these conditions and is dedicated to helping others find relief. As an author, speaker, and stand-up comedian, she wants to inspire, educate and entertain others on their healing path. Her personalized approach as a practitioner, podcast host, and author, has helped countless clients reduce inflammation in the body and brain, improve gut health, and achieve optimal wellness. She helps her clients get to the root cause of their symptoms and helps them take control of their health journey. Heather's approach is not only effective but also empowering. Don't let chronic illness control your life. You can achieve the health and vitality you deserve.
Stand-up Comedian
Gabby Gutierrez-Reed
Gabby Gutierrez-Reed is a comedian, writer, actor, and filmmaker in Denver, Colorado. She’s been in High Plains Comedy Festival, 10,000 Laughs Festival, Limestone Comedy Fest, and Cloudtop Comedy Festival.
Improvisor
Bruce Hanson
I have been performing improv since 2014 with my start in south Chicagoland. When I came to Colorado I started training with Monkey Butler Improv and now I am a coach, house team player, and a board member for the organization.
Poet & Host
Aimee Herman
Gay writer and educator, Aimee Herman is the author of two books of poetry and the novel, "Everything Grows" in addition to being widely published in journals and anthologies including BOMB, cream city review, and "Troubling the Line: Trans and Genderqueer Poetry and Poetics" (Nightboat Books). Aimee currently hosts three literary series in Boulder. They are the founding member of the poetry band, Hydrogen Junkbox. Aimee is turned on by public libraries, garage sales and receiving mail. Find them at aimeeherman.com.
Musician, Ukelele
Justice
My name is Justice (she/her) and I'm the owner of The Mighty Vegans LLC 🩵💛🩷🌱. I've been a musician since I was 10, starting out with lessons from E-Town drummer Christian Teal on hand percussion (bongos and congas). After practicing the trap drum set, I began learning guitar nearly 20 years ago. After 7 years of playing open mics on guitar and vocals, our four piece band Jiggatones enjoyed half a dozen shows at The Dark Horse in Boulder, where we played covers, originals and cartoon theme songs. Learning keyboard and ukelele along the way, I've gravitated to ukelele because of its convenience, mostly practicing while walking my dog 🎶🩷🐶. I grew up in Boulder and graduated from The University of Colorado with a philosophy degree and studio art. Music is my favorite passion, along with cooking and raising my wonderful daughter Jam, who is 14. Together with Jam we have written countless songs. With my twin brother, who is a professional camera man, we have made around a dozen music videos and counting on YouTube. #Justicemarcellus9
Stand Up Comedian, The Matriarchy Presents
Emily Kingsley
Emily is a talented loud mouth sass ball who brings her nerdy band geek charm to warm crowds up and down the front range. She is co-producer of The Matriarchy Presents Laughing Matters, a monthly showcase (first Saturday of every month) featuring mostly mom comedians at Rise Comedy in Denver. When she isn't making the funnies, she is in the thick of raising her two daughters and works for a local school district non-profit that promotes equity, diversity, and learning readiness for all students in the district. Her patriarchal busting humor and her flugelhorn keeps her sane during the non monotonous monotony of motherhood.
Stand Up Comedian
Kimberly Koester
Middle-aged mom and hairstylist who delivers relatable comedy with a Midwestern charm.
Stand Up Comedian & Host
Cara Leoni
Cara Leoni (she/her) is an up-and-coming comedian and an OG queer. A self described rascal, you can find her performing at local bars, comedy clubs and teacher lounges. When Cara is not turning up the laughter you can find her knee deep in a project she’ll never finish or getting roasted by her students.
Stand Up Comedian
Erin Lewis
Erin Lewis, a native of Northern California, discovered her love for laughter and humor at an early age, despite the seemingly "unfortunate" position of being the middle child in her family. However, Erin knows that love and belonging transcends birth order, and she's always had a knack for making people smile. Her comedic journey began in the world of improvisational comedy at the renowned Groundlings Theater, where her quick wit and improvisational talents began to shine. Additionally, she delved into the art of sketch comedy writing at the UCB Theater, further refining her comedic prowess. Today, Erin calls Denver home and performs stand up regularly at Rise Comedy Theater and various venues around Colorado. Whether she's sharing relatable life anecdotes or exploring the quirks of human nature, Erin's comedy is a delightful journey into the lighter side of life.
Musician
Steph Luján
Steph Luján is a local singer songwriter. They write about life, healing, and love.
Comedian
Addie Lynne
Addie Lynne is a Denver based comic who was once described as a pretty lady, but with some masculine features.
Stand-up Comedian
Katie Mason
Katie Mason is a stand up comic, spoken word poet and dream performer. She is also a licensed psychotherapist and once mud-wrestled to get people to vote.
Stand-up Comedian
Big Mike
Southern born, bred, and fed. Former chef who has always loved making people smile more than anything. +
Film Maker, Blackat Video Productions
Katrina Miller
Katrina Miller is a filmmaker and owner of Blackat Video Productions. Creating video for over half of her life, most of her work highlights social issues and tries to address possible pathways out of our darkest societal problems. Her Most recent film, worked on with Landlocked Films titled, “This Is [Not] Who We Are,” compares the progressive and liberal reputation of her community with the actual lives and experiences of African Americans in her area. This film has gone on to receive dozens of awards world wide and is now broadcasting on PBS nationally. Katrina was the 2023 YWCA impact award winner based on the discussions her films have prompted. Katrina feels her life’s purpose is to explore and promote big ideas through art, and this is only the beginning. Flame was a music video Katrina worked on with musician Wellington Bullings. Bullings’ idea for the video was to have only BIPOC artists manage different aspects of production. Blackat Productions was hired to film and edit the video which tells a story of Black empowerment and excellence despite systemic and real barriers that are oppressive to people of color. This is a beautifully vivid and dreamy piece, peppered with symbology in every scene.
Stand Up Comedian, The Matriarchy Presents
Ashley N-G
Ashley is a mom, wife, standup comedian, and accountant. When Ashley isn’t oversharing with audiences across Colorado, she’s raising the coolest toddler she’s ever met. Here are some fun facts about her since she’s too busy to think of a cooler intro: -She is a professional car DJ and drops only the hottest remixes of baby shark -She is romantically attracted to excel spreadsheets -She’s a member of the comedy group, The Matriarchy. Two funny moms dedicated to paving the way for comedy in motherhood! Ashley’s goal is to support those who need it and spread joy and laughter; because life’s too short to take yourself too seriously. Follow her @thenotorious_a_ng
Stand Up Comedy
Philip Ogren
I host a podcast named Sharing Boulder and am an avid housing and transportation activist. I am working for cities in Boulder County that welcome new residents, encourage public transit, walking, and cycling, and create highly socially connected neighborhoods where people of all backgrounds and economic situations can thrive with housing security and rich opportunities for engaging in public life. I regularly perform stand-up comedy at local shows and open mics. I have a PhD in Computer Science and work in a research lab on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Artist, Handprinted Movies
Jessie Rodriguez
I have always thought of making art as a tool to communicate and connect with people. The strange, creative happenings in my head are able to find a home in my art. It is for this reason that I love sharing what I create with others. It is because I am sharing a piece of myself with the world, and it is through this that I am seen. I create animations through a process that I call Handprinted Movies, where I hand carve the images from rubber, creating a stamp, which I use to make prints on paper with ink. I then cut out each piece and move them by hand, photographing each shot to create a stop motion film. One minute of animation is composed of hundreds of photographs. I view my films as a kind of visual language and the elements and techniques I have are my tools. In sequencing my animations, each piece flows into the next as a visual representation of events in a narrative timeline. I employ symbols, color, movement, sequencing and transitions as methods of storytelling. I am a big proponent of D.I.Y aesthetic and technique. My work wouldn’t exist without it. Since everything is done by hand, there is an imperfection to what I make that becomes a part of it. I make what I know, what I can think of, try, combine and discover. The forms that my practice has taken has at times arisen out of conditions. When I have a smaller space I tend to work small and when I have a larger space I can make a mess in, my work might expand. I believe that invention can arise out of limitations and I enjoy finding ways through working with what is in front of and available to me as it often challenges me to forge paths I might not otherwise have considered. My animations express a range of ideas, from very personal experiences exploring grief, loss and trauma to playful absurdism with fantastical creations. In the process of making and bringing my work to life I find transformation, as stories take on a new form through a visual language. I believe there is power and healing in re-framing experiences through art. I invite the viewer into an escape from the ordinary and to find their own interpretations when viewing my work.
Stand Up Comedy
Zoe Rogers
Bio
Stand Up Comedy
Catherine Shea
Catherine Shea, a single working mom, has her own take on motherhood and she wants to tell you all about it! Described as warmly subversive, Catherine performs all over Colorado!
Stand Up Comedy
Pedro Silva
Pedro Silva is a burgeoning comedian and Director of The Liberation Comedy Project and host of the "What's So Funny About...?" podcast. By day, Pedro is the Director of Engagement for the non-profit YOUnify which works in the area of minimizing toxic polarization and fostering individual and community thriving. Prior to these roles, Pedro served as a pastor and civic leader.
Stand-Up Comedian
Mimi Salonen
Mimi has taken everything she knows about disability, chronic illness, transracial adoption, millennial parenting, marriage and grief and found a way to make you laugh—with her. Mostly so she can sleep at night, because obviously she has anxiety too.
Artist, M.J. Star Art
M.J. Star
The only thing I enjoy more than eating Colorado food culture is drawing it. I'm M. J. Star. I moved to Colorado in 2019 and have been drawing digitally for almost 2 decades. In early 2022, I started work as a visual food critic, drawing art that depicts Colorado's rich food and drink culture. I've been traveling the state going to various breweries, wineries, cideries, bars, and restaurants. I try their food and drinks, and transform all of that into art that celebrates Colorado's blossoming local food culture.
Short-Form Improv
Malcolm Teel
Malcolm got into improv last year shortly after moving to Boulder. Ian was one of the first people to teach Malcolm improv, and they quickly developed a Jedi - Apprentice type relationship. As time passed, Malcolm's power of the force - er Improv, developed until he was ready to take his rightful place next to his master, and entertain everyone at Longmont Out Loud
Storyteller, Mother dot Writer
Lisa Trank
Lisa began writing after many years as a performing artist – an actress and singer – and she is thrilled to integrate those years of crafting characters and storytelling. A former recipient of a Rocky Mountain Women’s Institute Fellowship, much of Lisa’s fiction writing focuses on the stories I grew up with as the proud first generation daughter of immigrants. She loves writing from a place of joy and to shine a light on Jewish families and life for all young readers. Although, she does admit to holding a special place in her writer’s heart for the Jewish kids who live in small towns. She was one of those kids and so are her three daughters. Her nonfiction performance essays, including the pieces she will be performing for Longmont Out Loud, are centered on parenting and Jewish lifestyle. Lisa is an active member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She holds a MFA in Writing and Poetics from Naropa University, as well as a B.S.S. in Theater from Northwestern University. She is also a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, a body awareness modality.
Musicians, Acoustic
The Tribonacci Trio
The Tribonacci Trio Band developed due to a unique housing crisis. Evan (left, guitar) found himself homeless and his generous coworker Matt (right, mandolin/violin) invited him to come stay for a month. During this time, they realized their common love for folk and bluegrass music. On a lazy summer Sunday, the Tribonacci Trio began when Karen (middle, vocalist) joined the two boys on their daily jam session and sang the song they had all been listening to nonstop. From this day on the group of friends have been mixing strings and harmonies to create the band they are today.
Poet
Jennifer Weise
In 2006, Jennifer Weise was suddenly and spontaneously inspired to write “Inventory of Love.” In doing so, she became a poet, though she didn’t realize it at the time. Since that first poem, so far close to one hundred have emerged. Jennifer has been called a woman of honesty and integrity who won’t rest until she finds deep truth, for herself and for others. The material of life is the material of her poetry.
Stand Up Comedian and Storyteller
Grace Yao
Grace Yao is a mom and standup comedian. She’s performed around Denver, Montreal and Japan, and has brought her one woman show to a Denver festival about the challenges of growing up with English as a second language. She draws comedy inspiration from her bossy mom, family, life observations and aging.
Stand Up Comedian and Storyteller
Jenn Yee
Jenn Yee is a comedian, storyteller, daughter of Chinese immigrants, and mother. A proud 80503 resident, Jenn found comedy in mid-life and performs along the Front Range on comedy stages small and large, appearing in the casts of Moms Unhinged Comedy, Longmont Out Loud's Sunday Comics, Story Collective Boulder, Listen To Your Mother, and The Matriarchy Presents. This summer Jenn will take her standup on the road and will appear in her first show outside the continental U.S. in Juneau, Alaska. Learn more about performances, writing, and other creative work at jennyee.me.