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College Comedy Hosting Stand-Up

BenDeLaCreme

Drag icon, BenDeLaCreme, is a global performer, director, writer, and producing powerhouse who rose to international acclaim following superstar runs on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6 (2014) and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 3 (2018) during which she broke multiple series records and earned a spot among the show’s “15 Fan Favorites of All Time.”

Harnessing that energy, BenDeLaCreme took her career where no queen has gone before, founding her own production company, BenDeLaCreme Presents, under which she went on to write, produce and direct multiple sold-out international tours of “The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show” as well as her critically acclaimed, award winning solo works “Terminally Delightful”, “Cosmos”, “Inferno A Go-Go”, and “Ready To Be Committed,” countless plays and variety shows, and the cult classic holiday film, The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special. She has worked as a producer in film and television, and written and directed for some of your favorite drag artists. She is known for her quick wit and sharp mind, as well as her work as a puppeteer, live singer, choreographer, production and costume designer, and ravishing beauty.

Harnessing the fun and beauty of drag entertainment DeLa strives to make politics, philosophy, science and literature all more accessible through entertainment. Forbes says that “Keeping you entertained while making you think about your place in the world is all a part of the BenDeLaCreme experience” while Billboard says DeLa “soars past entertainment and into the realm of theatrical art”. TheaterMania calls her work “Spectacular… helping to redefine what cabaret can be: an intoxicating cocktail of high, low, topical, and timeless” and The New York Times has hailed her as “self-possessed and chameleonic.”

In 2023, BenDeLaCreme continued to utilize her massive platform to fight back against anti-LGBTQ+ hatred and legislation sweeping the U.S. With appearances at The Daily Show, MSNBC, NPR, and a heartfelt essay penned for Out Magazine, DeLa educated audiences on how politics and dangerous rhetoric negatively impact the queer and trans community on a global scale, as well as offered a message of hope to keep fighting. She continues to use her voice and platform as an activist both in and outside of her work.

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Comedy Stand-Up

Ron Taylor

Ron Taylor is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor who hails from Detroit and currently lives in Los Angeles. He was just cast as a series regular on Freeform’s comedy series, NONE OF THE ABOVE. In 2018 he was selected as a New Face at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal and in 2017 he performed at the festival as part of Kevin Hart’s talent showcase LOL LIVE. Ron has been featured on B.E.T’s “Apollo Live,” Fox TV’s “Laughs,” and on numerous viral videos on the All Def-Digital network. He was handpicked by Bill Burr to perform on Comedy Central’s stand up series, The Ringers.

Ron performs in festivals and clubs all over the world, including hosting Blake Griffin’s Charity Comedy Show in Los Angeles and Russell Westbrook’s Charity Comedy show in Oklahoma City. He is a paid regular at the world famous Comedy Store in Hollywood. Most recently he appeared in the FX series “Oh Jerome, No” directed by Alex Karpovsky, and will appear in Yassir Lester’s upcoming film THE GUTTER.

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Comedy Stand-Up

LaVar Walker

After winning the 2012 national Miller Lite Stand Up comedy competition judged by Kevin Hart, comedian/writer LaVar Walker joined The Shaquille O’Neal All Star Comedy Jam, touring 42 markets and taping a Showtime special as well. In addition to this, he was a finalist for the NBC Diversity Showcase and advanced to the semifinals in NBC’s Last Comic Standing. His other credits include BET’s Comicview, The Mo’Nique Show, and Kevin Hart’s comedy special on the Laugh Out Loud network.

On the scripted front, he produced/ played the lead in the comedy project, The Pharmacist, and can recently be seen as ‘Marty the Manager’ in the Summit Entertainment Feature Film, Uncle Drew.

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Comedy Stand-Up

Darren Fleet

It doesn’t take long to fall in love with the comedic humor of Darren Fleet. Fleet is making waves in the comedy world and if you’re smart, you’ll want to ride this one.

Fleet has been performing comedy strong for 6 years now and has been headlining/selling out A-list rooms nationwide. He’s also been able to showcase his talents at various events such as the BET Awards, Essence Festival, CIAA All-Star Weekend, Bronner Bros Hair Convention, etc. Fleet has built a following of more than 2 million followers on social media through his Instagram and Facebook with his humorous rants on various aspects of everyday life and continues to grow his fanbase daily.

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Comedy Stand-Up

Sarah Hester Ross

Sarah Hester Ross is an internationally touring cabaret artist and viral social media creator whose musical comedy blends bold feminist takes with powerhouse vocals and sharp-as-hell satire. A Grammy-considered musical comedian, she recently released her debut comedy special “Don’t Mess With a Redhead” (Comedy Dynamics) on Amazon, Apple TV, and other major streaming platforms. Sarah is also the winner of “Best of Las Vegas” Comedian and One Woman Show, has been featured on America’s Got Talent and The Doctor Demento Show, and has over 30 million streams of her music worldwide. With nearly 3 million dedicated followers on social media, Sarah presents a formidable combination of musical, comedy, and theatrical talents that has earned her an auspicious entry into the comedy and cabaret world. Learn more: sarahhesterross.com

“Sarah Hester Ross is the angry, musical feminist comedian we need RIGHT NOW!”
– Lizz Winstead, The Daily Show Co-Creator

“Such a great showpiece and incredible vocals.”
– Rachel Bloom

“Sarah Hester Ross…is so f***ing talented! Do NOT miss her hilarious show.”
– Judy Gold

“Sarah Hester Ross is a force to be reckoned with in the world of comedy and music. Her shows are a brilliant mix of humor, melody, and meaningful commentary. She is not just a comedian but a voice for those who find solace and strength in laughter.”
– Counter Culture Magazine

Categories
Comedy Stand-Up

John Heffron

Energetic and accessible, acclaimed standup John Heffron shares an array of relatable experiences from childhood through life as a married father. He’s learned a thing or two about relationships with family, friends, and even himself along his journeys, gaining an astute, uniquely honest perspective widely praised among his comedy peers. Audiences of all ages relate to his enthusiastic, hard-won wisdom, recognizing how often the path to maturity is marked by universal triumphs and failures. Rather than mock differences, the Detroit native aims to engage, connect, and enlighten.

Long before emerging victorious in the second season of NBC’s hit reality competition Last Comic Standing, Heffron first took the stage at the University of Michigan campus’s Main Street Comedy Showcase. He soon found himself skipping night classes to pursue his passion and branching into FM radio, serving as Danny Bonaduce’s wingman on Detroit’s Number One morning show, Danny Bonaduce and the Q Crew.

Along with appearances on The Tonight Show Chelsea LatelyThe Late Late Show, HBO, FX, VH1, A&E, and CMT, Heffron remains one of a small handful of veteran performers to tape two separate Comedy Central specials and has An Hour Special “Middle Class Funny” on Netflix.

In the podcasting realm, Heffron has guested on WTF with Marc MaronThe Joe Rogan Experience, and Ari Shaffir’s Skeptic Tank. He launched his own The State I’m In on the All Things Comedy network in August 2014. Much like his self-effacing live material, Heffron’s podcast invites guests and listeners alike to explore the ever-fluctuating position they find themselves in both physically and mentally.

In addition to headlining clubs and appearing at festivals around the world, Heffron remains in high demand as a performer at events for numerous Fortune 50 companies including Mercedes, Frito Lay, Sonic,  Johnson & Johnson, Ernst and Young, And The FBI  Just to name a few.

His four albums, Middle Class Funny DVD, and best-selling advice book I Come to You From the Future: Everything You’ll Need to Know Before You Know It are available on iTunes and Amazon.

Categories
Comedy Stand-Up

Kevin James Thornton

Kevin James Thornton has built a loyal following with his hilarious, heartfelt and occasionally cringey moments of self reflection (with a splash of autotune) about growing up gay in a religious community in the 90s. He has nearly 3 million followers across social media with combined views of over a billion. His first special “Be Yourself” was released by Comedy Dynamics and can be seen on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Thornton signed to Stimola Literary for his first autobiographical book due for a 2026 release. His 2024 tour saw sold out shows around the world where a recent review of his show at The Stand in Newcastle UK said, “Warm, witty and disarmingly self-deprecating… There is a tender centre to Thornton that makes his comedy sing; a delicate, relatable touch that left the crowd buoyed up and thirsty for more.” (Narc Magazine, UK)

Categories
Comedy Stand-Up

Carlos Santos

Carlos Santos is an Actor/Comedian based out of Los Angeles. Best known for playing Chris Morales on the NETFLIX original series, GENTEFIED, Carlos was nominated for “Best Actor” at the 2020 Imagen Awards for his work on the series. Recently, he’s been featured on the 20th Century/HULU comedy VACATION FRIENDS opposite Jon Cena, Lil Rey Howery, and Yvonne Orji, “THE VALET” (HULU) , “CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN” (Disney+), and “UNDONE” (Prime Video). Carlos is currently filming the first season of “PRIMO”, a new Shea Serrano/Mike Schur comedy for Amazon.

He also tours the country doing stand-up comedy and has recently been featured at the New York & Netflix Is A Joke Comedy Festivals.

Categories
Comedy Stand-Up

Maija DiGiorgio

Maija DiGiorgio is a comedian, filmmaker, and NY-to-LA transplant. In her first year doing stand- up, Maija took the comedy world by storm taping five national TV appearances, receiving a standing ovation at NBC’s Live from the Apollo, and performing at the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival. Her hour show IncogNegro was part of the summer series at the prestigious Here theater in SOHO. Maija’s Dry Bar Special “Maija Pinion” is available now with several of the clips reaching over 1 million views.

Categories
Comedy Stand-Up

Aida Rodriguez

Aida Rodriguez is a comedian, actor and writer. Lauded by Esquire Magazine as “raucously funny,” she has become a favorite with fans and critics alike. With her first hour standup special now streaming and her own TV series in development, both at HBOMax, Aida is bound for the comedy stratosphere. In November 2021, Aida’s first hour standup special Fighting Words premiered on HBOMax. In the special, the comedian takes to the stage to address today’s audiences about cancel-culture and the social issues of the day, not just because they’re ripped from the headlines, but because they are in the pages torn out of her personal life. Additionally, Rodriguez is developing her own half hour comedy series with HBOMax based on her own incredible life story, which includes surviving two kidnappings, sexual abuse, and a period of homelessness. Co-written and ExecutiveProduced by Rodriguez, Chris Case (Showtime’s Flatbush Misdemeanors) and Nastaran Dibai (Netflix’s Dear White People), the project examines the struggle of a comedian (Rodriguez) who is trying to kick start a career while raising two very different teenagers on her own over multiple time zones. It is an uplifting story of survival and triumph in the face of a darkly funny Miami inner-city upbringing, where she learned
skills that allowed her to thrive and endure.

In 2020, Aida headlined the HBO LatinX standup special Entrenos while also appearing in Showtime’s Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam, one of only four women
to have performed on the series in its 15 seasons. Prior to that, she had her own half hour special on Netflix’s hit comedy series They Ready, Executive Produced by Tiffany Haddish and Wanda Sykes. In reviews Decider gushed that the special “will have you
laughing, crying and begging for more” and Esquire Magazine declared “This is Rodriguez’s genius—using comedy to turn pain into progress, to give voice to the voiceless, and to laugh instead of cry.”

In addition to her TV projects, Aida was handpicked by director Taylor Hackford for his feature film “The Comedian” starring Robert De Niro. She is also the five-time host ofPBS’ Imagen Awards, which recognizes and rewards creative excellence of Latinos in television and film. She is a guest writer for Buzzfeed as well as a regular Commentator on the popular online progressive political talk show The Young Turks. Rodriguez hosts
her own podcast, Truth Serum, which is an interactive weekly wrap up show covering the week’s hottest topics, where inclusivity and diversity are a standard, not an initiative.

A long time favorite on the standup circuit, Aida was a finalist on NBC’s Last ComicStanding and has been featured on several comedy fan-favorite TV series, including Comedy Central’s This Week at the Comedy Cellar, HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay, and TBS’ Tournament of Laughs. She tours the country performing her distinct brand of poignant and insightful comedy to sold out audiences, inviting her longtime fans to laugh
hard, think hard, and feel hard.

For more information go to www.FunnyAida.com
Follow Aida on Instagram and Twitter – @FunnyAida