2025 Bend Comedy Festival Lineup
Kate Berlant
Kate Berlant is an Emmy nominated comedian, actress and writer. She recently concluded her fourth sold-out run of KATE, her one-woman off-Broadway play directed by Bo Burnham, to a rapturous response. Her comedy special Cinnamon in the Wind (directed by Bo Burnham) is now streaming on Hulu. In addition, her A24/Peacock sketch comedy special Would It Kill You to Laugh?, created with her collaborator John Early, was nominated for both a Critic’s Choice and Primetime Emmy award. Kate’s film credits include Kristoffer Borgli’s Dream Scenario, Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling, Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Boots Riley’s Sorry to Bother You. She can be seen on the Amazon series A League of Their Own, starring alongside Abbi Jacobsen and Nick Offerman; her additional television credits include Search Party, The Other Two, Transparent, Fantasmas, and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, as well as her celebrated episode of Netflix’s The Characters. She was named a Just for Laughs "New Face of Comedy" and a Variety "Ten to Watch.”
@kateberlantKate Berlant
Susan Rice
Susan Rice loves to make people laugh. She began her professional comedy career in 1983 and is still making people laugh at 41 years as a professional comedian. Rice moved to LA early in 1986 she worked in many of the national comedy clubs and appeared on Showtime, CBS, and ABC. Moving back to her beloved Portland OR in 1998 Rice found herself performing for more corporate shows. Now in her 70’s, she recently appeared on Don't Tell Comedy and NBC’s America’s Got Talent.
@funnyoldbagSusan Rice
Ehsan Ahmad
Ehsan Ahmad is one of the top rising comedians in the country right now. He has opened up for some of the biggest names in comedy like Tony Hinchcliffe, Bobby Lee, Nick Swardson, and Joe Rogan. Ehsan has cut his teeth at some of the best Comedy Clubs... in the world. He is currently one of the first regulars in Rogan’s comedy club, The Comedy Mothership. And before that, he worked five years at the World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood. He has two very popular Instagram series, Breaking News and Special Report with Jared Nathan. His videos often get over a million views. Come to the show and get ready to connect with a brown guy like you never thought you could.
@ehsanjahmadEhsan Ahmad
Peter Antoniou
"From amazing the judges on America’s Got Talent, to headlining in Las Vegas, to selling out shows in London's West End, Peter Antoniou’s mind reading skills have astounded audiences around the globe. Combining razor-sharp British wit with a stunning ...ability to know exactly what you are thinking, Peter’s shows are interactive and unforgettable. Join him as he reads minds and tickles funny bones, telling jokes and fortunes live onstage. “You are a wizard” - Simon Cowell"
@peterantoniouPeter Antoniou
Skyler Higley
Skyler Higley is a stand-up comedian, writer and actor who comes out of Chicago's legendary comedy scene. His incisive and razor sharp writing earned him a WGA Award while on staff at CONAN, and he is currently a staff writer for ‘The Onion.’ He has ...also contributed to ClickHole and the New Yorker. Skyler was honored as a New Face at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs comedy festival, was named one of New York Comedy Festival's 'Comics To Watch' and has been described by his former boss Conan O'Brien as 'delightfully bizarre and undeniably hilarious.
@skylerhigleySkyler Higley
Jamie Shriner
Jamie Shriner is what would happen if Bo Burnham and Jenna Marbles were cryogenically frozen together in a pair of cat lady glasses. A former theatre kid, current queer, deaf, & mentally ill gig-worker, Jamie uses humorous original songs to discuss h...er hearing loss and mental illness, as well as her struggles with body image, womanhood, and being queer in conservative Indiana where she grew up. Jamie was named Best of the Fest at Big Pine Comedy Festival and is a regular feature at Zanies and Laugh Factory Chicago. The host and producer of Chicago Underground Comedy has opened for the likes of Beth Stelling, Randy Feltface, and Chrissy Chlapecka, and is a former Features Contributor for The Onion.
@jamieshrinersingsJamie Shriner
Matthew Coe
Matthew is a disabled comedian and writer originally from the Bay Area. He likes to joke about his half-a-heart and his 3 open-heart-surgeries that paralyzed his vocal cords. He has performed stand-up in the Laugh After Dark Comedy Festival and Bergamot Comedy Festival. He has also performed at the Comedy Store and the Hollywood Improv.
@matthew_coe__Matthew Coe
Allie Lawrence
Allie Lawrence is a Brooklyn based comedian, voice actor, and writer originally from Denver, Colorado. Her comedic stylings are character driven, observation based, and she’s often noted for her dulcet, lilting tones. Learn more about Allie at allielawrence.net.
@allielolrenceAllie Lawrence
Curtis Cook
"""Curtis Cook is a standup comedian and WGA Award-nominated writer who has puked after a keg stand on a show called Flophouse, traveled through an Ebola checkpoint for a segment on Vice News, appeared on IFC's Portlandia, performed standup on Comedy Central, and been featured on Vulture's annual Comedians You Should & Will Know list. In addition to performing, Curtis has written for the reboot of Crank Yankers, the Imagen Award winning comedy This Fool on Hulu, the NAACP Award winning series Survival of the Thickest on Netflix, the GLAAD nominated American Dad on TBS, and the upcoming show Adults on FX. I can also say that my work has appeared on Fox, but only because one time Tucker Carlson did a whole segment about how much he hates my guts. Jokes on you, White Louis Farrakhan, ‘cause now I get to use the Fox logo when I promote my events! What the fuck else am I supposed to put here? Should I list all the festivals I’ve done that no one gives a shit about? Huh?! The Salt Lake City Comedy Carnivale ringing any bells?! You want me to tell you that I “shared the stage” with comics I once shook hands with at a poorly attended showcase? Or better yet, I could reference every club I’ve worked for while casually leaving out key details, like that The Ohio Funny Farm is actually just a closet under a hotel staircase or how when I say I “frequently appear at The Comedy Store” what I really mean is that I “occasionally do drugs in their bathroom.” Or maybe you want me to be like, “Curtis Cook has opened for legends like Dave Attell” just ‘cause I once spent a week featuring for him while he was doing a run of shows for the express purpose of making enough money to buy his mom a new security system – which I know because when I said, “Hey, man, it’s cool to meet you,” he very kindly replied, “I’m only doing this ‘cause my mom needs a new security system.” Is that what you want, you fuckin’ sickos?! And why does Dave Attell’s mom have so many enemies?! Just come to my goddamn show, okay? Think of it like a standup Instagram reel, but with laughter. By the way, my jokes have gotten millions of views online. That means something to some people, and if you’re one of those people, you disgust me. In fact, why are you even reading this? Are you like, “Oh, if the bio is cute, maybe the live performance will be funny?” That's a ridiculous thing to do. You're being ridiculous. Anyways, please come to my shows!"
@curtiscookcomedyCurtis Cook
Neeraj Srinivasan
Neeraj Srinivasan is a first-generation Indian-American comedian from Boise, ID now based in Chicago, IL. He has performed at venues all over the West Coast such as Helium Comedy Club, Revolution Hall, The Comedy Store, and The Hollywood Improv. Neer...aj has appeared on ABC and IFC in addition to the 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival, Limestone Comedy Festival, and Big Sky Comedy Festival.
@mynipsdontlieNeeraj Srinivasan
Shea Freeman
Shea Freeman is a comic in the LA comedy scene, offering a clever take on his unique upbringing as an “ugly baby” born with Crouton syndrome. He has performed all over country in 2025 at various festivals as well as abroad in Spain and at Boom Chicag...o! in Amsterdam. He was named “Best of Fest” at Laugh After Dark in Vegas and a quarterfinalist in the 2024 World Series of Comedy. 2025 is shaping up to be a breakout year!
@shea.freemanShea Freeman
Johana Coca
JOriginally from Portland and now based in Los Angeles, this Honduran-American comic is passed at the Laugh Factory, has opened for Gary Owen, and recently taped Iliza’s Locals on Prime Video. Her comedy draws heavily from the chaos and charm of her big Honduran family.
@johanalcocayJohana Coca
Whitney Rayner
Whitney Rayner is a Los Angeles-based comedian who performs all over the country. An oversharer by nature, her comedy is witty, irreverent, and hopefully relatable. Her credits include making her therapist laugh, paying her parking tickets on time, and being accepted to the Bend Comedy Festival.
@whitneyraynerWhitney Rayner
Jason Rodriguez
Jason Rodriguez is an Austin, Texas based comedian. He dabbles in quick observations from growing up Hispanic to why coffee gets it own table and water gets a bed. Jason’s clever taste for dumb jokes has led to him opening for such acts as Jordan Jenson, Kyle Kinane, and Michael Colyar. He has been featured at Moontower Comedy festival for the past three years.
@jason_smaytionJason Rodriguez
Rachelle Cochran
Rachelle Cochran is a high-energy, sharp-tongued, and unapologetically queer comedian whose style blends big-hearted silliness with biting observational takes. Think: the quirky lesbian next door—if your neighbor also casually opened for Cameron Espo...sito once. She's performed at Sketchfest, the All Jane Comedy Festival, and even earned a glowing review from her Doordash driver, who dubbed her 'not too bad' after Portland’s Funniest competition
@itsrachellecochranRachelle Cochran
Ellis Jones
Ellis Jones is an LA based comedian who co-produces the Off the Couch show in Culver City and is currently studying with the Groundlings. His comedy has been featured at Bergamot Comedy Festival, The Comedy Store, and Top Secret Comedy Club in London
@ellisjonescomedyEllis Jones
Shain Brenden
Shain Brenden is originally from a small town outside of Memphis, Tennessee called Millington. He is the second most notable person from Millington right after Justin Timberlake.
@shainbrendenShain Brenden
Edward Bell
Edward Bell is a nationally touring stand up comedian originally from rural eastern Iowa. His debut album, Residual Income, hit #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts, was named best comedy album of 2024 by the Denver Westword, and can be heard on SiriusXM. ...He has been regularly featured at comedy festivals across the country such as the High Plains Comedy Festival, Limestone Comedy Festival, and the Milwaukee Comedy Festival. Edward currently resides in Denver, CO. He’s enjoying the "high altitude".
@edwardbellcomedyEdward Bell
Jan Davidson
Los Angeles based comedian hyphen actor hyphen writer hyphen mother hyphen nice lady. Appeared on: Last Comic Standing • The Late Late Show w/ Craig Ferguson • nickmom Night Out • Nickelodeon’s Funniest Mom in America 3 • The View. Children are grown and attend the finest junior colleges money can buy.
@jandavidsonisokayJan Davidson
Jordan Cerminara
Stand-up comic, collage artist, and co-creator of The Art Critique Comedy Show {comedians analyze & auction thrift store art} Jordan Cerminara is a Portland-based entertainer appearing at clubs and independent venues across North America. From one-li...ners to carefully crafted story bits, he brings an animated, high-energy style to the stage with clever wordplay, the pipes of a karaoke legend, and a gamut of goofy voices. His debut comedy album, Cuttin It Up, hit #1 on the Amazon and Apple iTunes comedy charts.
@handcutcomedyJordan Cerminara
Jasmine Rogers
Boise’s 2025 Comic of the Year Jasmine "Jaz" Rogers is a comedian and artist originally from the Parking Lot of America (Phoenix, AZ). After finding success on her YouTube channel of 10 years, "Jazmataz", Jasmine brought her comedy to the stage in 2021. She has since headlined across the Pacific Northwest with her theatre kid energy and rapping skills that would knock your silly socks off. Described as "Casey Rocket and Taylor Tomlinson's love child", Jasmine has been seen on Don't Tell Comedy, the Treefort Comedy Festival, and dancing around local shows between Bend and Portland. She hopes you like her, even though she drives a Kia Soul.
@_jazmatazJasmine Rogers
Hayley Ellman
Hayley Ellman is a Jewish, Lesbian comedian out of Atlanta, GA. The Atlanta Journal Constitution once referred to her comedy as "cerebral and sardonic." She charms audiences with her balance of sincere, satirical, and silly jokes as well as stories. ...She’s 2022 Queer of the Year at the P3 Comedy Fest and headlined in 2023, resident comedian at Laughing Skull in 2024, and a featured comedian at CloudTop Comedy Fest, Tree Fort, and Red Clay Comedy Fest. She is a Guinness World Record Holder for being part of the longest comedy show. If you haven’t seen her perform around the Southeast US then you’re most likely to have seen her on TruTv: being pranked by a magician on the Carbonaro Effect as, embarrassingly, her episode is one of their favorite reruns.
@hayleyellmanHayley Ellman
Cody Michael
Originally a goofy, mixed-race kid from rural Iowa, Cody Michael is now a goofy, mixed-race comedian based in Bend, Oregon. Cody has performed across Oregon and beyond but has been a staple in the Bend comedy scene since 2019, headlining throughout t...own as well as featuring for Pablo Francisco, Kyle Kinane, Matt Braunger, and more. He has also appeared in local film and stage productions, most recently bleeding out in The Midnight Ride of Johnathan Luna and flying a spaceship in Lights No Camera Action: Star Wars Live! Using creative and candid storytelling, Cody shares his unique perspectives on everything from manliness to movie titles, bringing levity to complex topics and gravity to silly ones.
@codyisfunnyCody Michael
Mark Thomson
Mark Thomson is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, and writer. His distinctive voice was recognized early on – for several years as a regular improviser at Chicago's famous iO Theater and since then in stand-up performances at highly regarded indie... theaters across the US and Canada. He is currently based in Vancouver. He has written original pilots and screenplays and can be seen on NBC’s Chicago Fire. In 2025 his stand-up will be featured on CBC and OutTV.
Mark Thomson
Eric Rubin
Eric Rubin´s live-looped, character driven musical comedy has appeared at SF Sketchfest, Sac Comedy Festival, SF Fringe, San Francisco Improv Festival, "Speechless Live", "Mortified", Ruckus and Rumpus Revival, and at other theaters and festivals throughout the US and abroad. He is also a kids therapist and has performed a bilingual show at libraries and schools throughout the Bay Area. He leaps seamlessly between characters and musical genres keeping audiences asking: "what the *$)#@$% was that? I dunno but I'm into it."
@the_eric_rubinEric Rubin
Skylar King
Skylar King looks 14, but she’s actually an up-and-coming standup comedian who got her period like a long time ago. She has been called, “endearingly anxious” and is eager to pull you into her humiliating memories and humbling realizations. Skylar has performed in Don't Tell Comedy shows, opened for comedy legends Susan Rice and Matt Braunger, and guest-starred on the sketch comedy show American High.
@skylarkingcomedy