SketchFest brings some much needed humor to Seattle

Some of the biggest acts in sketch comedy will congregate in Seattle this September for the one and only SketchFest. The world’s first sketch comedy festival (for real!)*, SketchFest 2017 kicks off September 10 with five nights of local showcases to get everyone fired up, a Comedy Film Challenge, topping off with two nights of the best sketch comedy acts from around the world September 22-23.

Established in 1999, this world-class festival will feature local favorites such as Evidence of a Snuggle, Jason & Spike, Day Job and newcomers Maple Daddies. Hilarious out-of-towners such as Totally Real Friends, Good Game, Becca Schall, and internationally renowned musical comedy cabaret show Success 5000 will round out the uproarious lineup.

“We’re so excited to bring in these fantastic traveling performers and let them mix ideas with all our local talent,” says SketchFest Managing Director Beth Peterson.

This year’s lineup features acts from New York, Los Angeles, Edmonton, and Toronto, among other far-flung places.

“This feels like the year of intimate comedy. We have several solo and duo performers this year, and that really shapes the dynamic with the audience. There’s a very strong connection with the performers and I’m excited to see it play out,” says Artistic Director Randall Cleveland.

The festival received more submissions than ever before, a testament to the thriving local sketch comedy scene. “We had more groups performing at Sketch Comedy Month this May than I even knew existed in Seattle,” said Festival Grant Writer Zak Nelson.