GLENS FALLS – Make Me Laugh is looking for the funniest amateur comedian in the Capital District, and with the final round approaching, the search is almost over. The finals for Make Me Laugh: Albany will take place Saturday, November 14 at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
This month, the competition received countless online submissions, held auditions at local colleges and hosted a preliminary round at Parting Glass Pub in Saratoga Springs. The best of the best were given stage time at Albany Comedy Works on November 5, which included special guest Jaye McBride, who appeared on America’s Got Talent and at the Boston Comedy Festival.
“We are endlessly impressed with the talent we have found so far,” said event producer and comedian Dan Frigolette. “I cannot wait to see what these contestants bring to the final round.”
The performers who have been selected for the finals are: Tania Lewis, Nicholas Yost, Jenny Young, David Shine, Darren Discenzo, Usama Saddique, Jennie Sutton, Chris Barnes, Josh Wright, James King, Iris Brody, Johan Hernandez, Nick Leydorf and Katie Kimacek.
For the finals, contestants will be given a three minute opening round to perform, and then the best four will be asked to come back up and perform a six minute round. The one overall winner of the contest will be given paid performances all throughout the northeast, free head shots, free business cards, a free website, their picture in multiple newspapers and appearances in two upcoming comedy festivals. The winner will also be performing in Comedy’s Best Kept Secret Tour on November 20 and December 11 at The Parting Glass Pub, as well as at The Haunt in Ithaca on November 21.
Judges for the finals include: 2014 Make Me Laugh Albany winner Erik Anker, Glens Falls Civic Center producer Alyssa Aufiero, entertainment editor for Saratoga TODAY Newspaper Rebecca Davis, publisher of The Saratogian Robert O'Leary, performer from Mop and Bucket Theater Company Amy Nolte, and comedian featured on The Artie Lange Show, Wendy Williams Show, and Boardwalk Empire and producer of Make Me Laugh across the country, Dan Frigolette.
"Make Me Laugh prides itself on finding some of the most important industry decision makers in each city to judge the comedic talent. Providing local celebrities and future comedy bookers, we hope this further sweetens the pot for prospective comedians to submit." said Frigolette.
Last year's winner Erik Anker performed in 65 shows in 2015, which included a 42 day road trip from New York City to Anchorage, Alaska that encompassed 19 cities and over 40 shows. Anker will also be closing out the show with a performance after the finals.
Tickets to the finals at Glens Falls Civic Center are $12, which can be purchased at the door or online. For more information or to buy tickets, visit laughUSA.org.
