Queen City Comedy Fool's Fest

Overview

It’s April Fool’s, so come out and laugh. Queen City Comedy and Blumenthal Performing Arts present a night of laughter featuring local improvisers and stand ups along with comedy legend Kevin McDonald from the Kids in the Hall and Charlotte music icon Benji Hughes. Plus, opportunities for you to jump into the fun with a workshop from Kevin McDonald and an Improv Comedy Jam where you can be on stage and play with our performers. Don’t be a Fool, get your tickets now!

Squeezing Comedy from Improv – A Workshop with Kevin McDonald • 12:00 PM at the VAPA Center

In this four-hour workshop, students will work with Kevin to learn his process for using improv to develop fully realized comedic scenes. Students will improvise scenes in small groups and then work with Kevin to identify a strong comedic premise, refine characters and story elements, and then improvise a new scene based on his feedback. Students learn from improvised scenes and discuss how to build the comedy from the improv, build on the characters, and create a story for new scenes.

Improv Comedy Showdown • April 1 at 7:00 PM

Queen City Comedy has invited some of the best, brightest and funniest improvisers from around the Carolinas to compete for your applause and your laughs. We’ll throw in a few stand up comedians in between rounds and then at the end of the night, you’ll vote for your favs!

Kevin McDonald & Benji Hughes Rock Opera • April 1 at 9:00 PM

Kids in the Hall alum Kevin McDonald returns to Charlotte with his old pal and local hero, Benji Hughes! Watch Kevin and Benji create a brand new rock opera right before your eyes with the help of the audience and local Queen City Comedy improvisers.

Improv Comedy Jam • April 1 at 11:00 PM

Have you always wanted to try improv? Do you already do improv? Do you think you’re funny? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then this improv jam is for you. You’ll sign up to jump on the big stage and play. Not sure you want to play? No worries. Grab a spot in the audience and you can provide the applause and suggestions for our players. 18+ to play.

Sketch Writing: One Line Premise – A Workshop with Kevin McDonald • April 2 at 12:00 PM • VAPA Center

Got a sketch idea that you’re not sure how to execute? Join Kevin McDonald of Kids in the Hall for his sketch writing workshop! In this workshop, each student comes prepared with a one line premise for a comedy sketch (like, “What if a guy was $10 short of being a millionaire?”), then the group will break down each premise and Kevin will help you take the idea and turn it into a scene. After that, you will have the opportunity to write a comedy sketch based on your premise – and receive personal notes passed on from Kevin later via email!