Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Christian Escoto began performing comedy after his high school graduation. Since then, he regularly performs around the DC area and the Baltimore region. Using his quick wit and stage persona, Christian entertains the audience with jokes and stories about growing up in DC area as a Filipino-American. He has performed multiple times at the DC Improv, the Howard Theater and has opened for the national touring improv troupe the Groundlings. Christian won Comedy Kumite 34.2 (summer 2022) at the DC Improv.

Instagram: @cgescoto

Born in Washington DC, Benny Nwokeabia is half Nigerian half Ethiopian but grew up overseas in Geneva, Switzerland. He has performed in NYC and DC as well as internationally in Switzerland, Mexico and Canada (Zoo Fest, Just for Laughs). He has opened for acts such as Matt Rife, Martin Amini, Nate Jackson, Mark Christopher Lawrence and Felonious Munk. Benny won Comedy Kumite 39.2 (June 2023) in the DC Improv lounge.

Instagram: @realbennyy

Dana Lollar, aka D. Lo, hails from Baltimore MD. Always a jokester, DLo stumbled into the comedy world, in Nov 2015, after a leg injury had her out of work. After countless open mics, she began to rise in the Baltimore comedy scene as a force to be reckoned with. Known for her quick wit and comebacks, she is definitely a spitfire on the mic. In her short comedy career she has won more than 15 competitions, been a finalist in Magoobys New Comedian of the Year Competition, headlined various shows in Baltimore, DC, Delaware, Ohio, NYC, Las Vegas, and Jamaica. She is the unanimous winner of Comedy Wars DMV and has been a finalist in Kevin Hart's "Hart of the City" on Comedy Central. Most recently she was a feature act in the 2019 Black Girl Giggles Festival, 2019 Baltimore Comedy Festival and the 2019 DC Comedy Festival. Known as the "roast queen" of Baltimore, and a improv master, she's sure to leave a lasting impression. D. Lo won Comedy Kumite 35.2 (fall 2022) at the DC Improv.

Instagram: @redcuplo

Dee Ahmed is a stand up comedian from Arlington, VA. A natural goofball, he's molded his unique comedic voice that’s insightful, affable, and hilarious. He has quickly become a regular at shows all over the DC area, from open mics in dive bars to comedy festivals, including The 202 Comedy Festival, Charm City Festival, Pittsburgh Comedy Festival, Cinderblock Festival, and What a Joke: A National Comedy Festival. Dee won Comedy Kumite 34.1 (summer 2022) at the DC Improv.

Instagram: @deewasjoking

Jamal Russell is a D.C. based comedian who has been doing comedy for six years. Jamal has performed at the Ice House in L.A., Caroline's on Broadway, the Milwaukee comedy festival, the Motor City comedy festival and the Boston comedy festival. Jamal won Comedy Kumite 32 (winter 2022) at the DC Improv, and he was a finalist at Comedy Kumite XL (summer 2023).

Instagram: @laughwithjamal

Stacey Axler has been performing regularly since 2021, at shows and clubs throughout DC and Maryland. She has performed in comedy festivals such as the North Carolina Comedy Festival, Solocom in NYC and the Sixth City Comedy Festival. Stacey also hosts a monthly standup show.

Instagram: @staxonstax124

Hailing from North Carolina, Anthony D. Oakes is a District of Columbia resident who is taking the comedy scene by storm. A natural comedian, featured in Washington Blade, Anthony has hit the ground running. His clean, yet edgy, Southern, intellectual, witty humor will have you reeling with laughter.

Instagram: @anthony_oakes_comedian

Joey Friedman began performing at her parent’s dinner table in Monsey, NY. As a cancer survivor, she has nothing to fear and delivers jokes with an unshakable frankness. She produces shows in the Washington, DC, area.

Instagram: @joeythelady

Kandace Saunders made her comedic debut in 2006 during a comedy competition at the DC Improv. Although, she didn’t win, she didn’t get booed, and people laughed. So for Kandace, that was enough to pursue a career in standup comedy. Kandace’s sarcasm, and quick wit, coupled with her ability to turn life into “extremely laughable situations", has allowed her to become one of today’s fastest rising comedians. Kandace has also served in the Army National Guard.

Instagram: @kandydoesntkare

Kevin Seefried is a comedian and writer who splits his time between Washington, D.C. and Brooklyn, NY. He has performed in more than 20 states and the District of Columbia, including appearances at numerous festivals including the Brooklyn, Boston, and Blue Whale Comedy Festivals. Kevin won Comedy Kumite 37.2 (winter 2023) at the DC Improv.

Instagram: @kevinseefried

Matt Brown (official website) is a rising comedian from Baltimore, Maryland, who has a way of warming the crowd with his quick wit and warm, pretty boy demeanor. Matt adds raw, colorful hues to dark scenarios and relatable situations, turning upset into something laughable every time. He has a way of warming the crowd with twists and turns, leaving them on their toes for a delivery of hilarious anecdotes and analogies. Matt has worked alongside some great comics such as Louis CK, Dave Attell, Tom Segura, Big Jay Oakerson, Godfrey, and many more. Matt won Comedy Kumite 19.1 (spring 2019) at the DC Improv.

Instagram: @mattbcomedy

Justin “Justo” Brooks is a professional comedian and writer. His witty, energetic, and thought-provoking comedy is definitely a must see. In 2020 he won first place in 3 comedy competitions including Magooby’s New Comedian of the Year. In 2021 Justo won a spot at the famous Laugh Factory by winning 1st place in the club’s open mic competition. He has also opened and hosted shows for Tony Woods, Tony Rock, Erik Rivera, Rodney Perry, Dominique, and other comics seen on Netflix, HBO, and Comedy Central. Justo won Comedy Kumite 39.1 (June 2023) in the DC Improv lounge.

Instagram: @justo.comedian

Jared Stern (official website) has been making complete strangers laugh at him for twenty years and counting. During his career he has performed with the likes of Mike Birbiglia, Judah Friedlander, Richard Lewis, Ismo, John Witherspoon, Jon Lovitz, Emo Philips, and Caroline Rhea. You can find Jared on Prime Video, Apple TV+, Sirius/XM, and he is the co-host of Between Two Sterns podcast. Check out his album, "Live On Broadway*" wherever you stream comedy.

Instagram: @jaredsterncomedy

Kasha Patel (official website) was listed on Thrillist magazine’s “Best Undiscovered Comedians in the US,” where she was called a unicorn for her uniqueness. She has a witty sense of humor that couples life as an Indian-American and her love for science. She produces science-themed comedy shows through her company DC Science Comedy. She gave a TEDx talk called “Sneaking Science into Stand-Up” where she shares a series of surprising revelations pulled from her analysis of more than 500 of her stand-up jokes. She has been featured in The Washington Post, BBC World News, Travel Channel, The Science Channel, The Weather Channel, and hosted a mini series on NASA TV. Follow her on Twitter @KashaPatel.

Instagram: @kashablanca

Ross Benoit is a Massachusetts native who moved to Northern Virginia at age 6. Eighteen years later, he started doing stand-up comedy. You can see him hosting shows and performing at venues all around the DMV. Ross won Comedy Kumite 8.2 (winter 2017) at the DC Improv, as well as Kumite 21.2 (summer 2019).

Instagram: @rossbenwah_