Comedians
Ankara has been entertaining people with her quick wit and charismatic personality her entire life. She decided to translate her gift for performing it into a career devoted to the arts by moving from Florida to New York City in 2006 and enrolling at the New York Film Academy for the 1 year intensive acting program. After gaining knowledge and experience from multiple facets of the craft, she was drawn into a comedic direction and took classes at Upright Citizens Brigade to dive more into the improvisation world where she felt most comfortable. Since Ankara has been creating laughter all her life, she has taken a leap into the Stand Up Comedy world hitting clubs all around New York City to further her love for laughter and performance. Ankara will continue to work in the entertainment industry where she can work with fellow performers who want to create laughter together.
Brendan Donegan stumbled upon his hidden talent for stand-up comedy after entering and winning 1st place in the University of Scranton's Last Comic Standing competition. Immediately, he was hooked. A South Jersey native, Brendan quickly moved to the near-by city of Philadelphia after graduating to pursue his dream of performing stand-up comedy. His self-deprecating humor and boyish charm continue to keep local moms and movie theatres guessing whether he is 16 or 25. Brendan can be seen performing all over the Northeast and recently won 1st place in the Northeast Comedy Cabaret Competition and earned himself a spot as a Semi-Finalist in Helium’s Philly’s Phunniest competition.
New York City comedian Oscar Collazos originally hails from Cali, Colombia. Oscar spent his childhood in Miami, Florida and for the last 18 years has traveled the world spreading his twisted views, unique humor and crazy immigrant family stories. Oscar has been featured on XM/Sirius Radio and appeared on ESPN and Comedy Central commercials as well as smaller roles in movies and television. You can find him entertaining audiences inside comedy clubs and all the way to legendary places like the Apollo Theater as well as working alongside comedy greats such as Tracy Morgan, Daniel Tosh, Bruce Bruce and many others. Professionally trained at the prestigious Upright Citizens Brigade, Oscar is an excellent improviser who has gone on to win multiple comedy contests – most recently the Seminole Hard Rock Casino Comedian’s Ball in Southwest Florida that featured a $7,000 first-place prize. In typical comedian fashion, that money lasted less than a week and he has absolutely nothing to show for it. Oscar also loves cats. You can follow Oscar across all social media at @colombiancomic
Christine O’Leary is an award-winning Stand Up Comedian, Producer, Host, Personality, Influencer, Undercover Roaster, Keynote and Comedy Coach. Often referred to as a “comedians comedienne,” and takes immense pride in being known as the host that “can make a show out of anything” and “get the funny out of anyone” This is how O’Leary competes and wins.
O’Leary is the Artistic Director of the Comedy Series at the Ridgefield Playhouse, where she also serves as host and has worked more than two thousand shows!
She is a self identified as a #JoyJunkie, lives in CT with her spouse and their little dog and is passionate about using comedy as the life force, equalizer and game changer for all that are on for the ride and has shape shifted the lives of more than 500 students who have registered for her workshops and trainings including Fortune 500 CEO’s from around the globe.
Christine has also completed a pilot with BRAVO and Camp Getaway which will be premiered in Spring 2020.
After working hundreds of theater and club shows, Christine is hosting private events and acts as the ring master roaster/host for A-List Celebrity events, with guest lists including Jimmy Fallon, Tony Goldwyn, Jane Muskie, Matthew Broderick, Alan Cumming, Sara Jessica Parker and many more delivering uniquely clean, comedy, couture that is Christine O’Leary.
Shawn Murray is a 29 year-old comedian, writer, podcaster, and international heartthrob from New Haven, CT. He hopes to die of ice cream-related injuries.
I have to go by Ashley Austin Morris because when I joined SAG there was already an Ashley Morris… Austin is not my real middle name. My real middle name is Sue… Yep. Austin is a city I lived in for a random year it was really fun… I remember nothing.
When I was born I was a baby…
I have never been on Law and Order. I perform stand up comedy but my ultimate dream is to remake the show mammas family. I’ve done 3 fried chicken commercials. Why? No idea, I guess my classiness is just evident to all.
If you would like to see the real resume I’m sure it’s on here as the person who built this is much smarter then I, but basically it’s just a bunch of TV shows and plays and special skills that hopefully prove my worth. Bla bla bla.
Here’s the deal…
I think it’s strange to be a human, not that I’ve ever been a dolphin or anything, hey maybe its weird to be a dolphin I don’t know, but human?! Weird. For sure! I try to laugh at it and hope you will too! I like long walks in dangerous neighborhoods and traveling to nearby bodegas.
In 2014, Charles McBee made national stand-up comedy appearances on Gotham Comedy Live on AXS TV and Laughs on FOX. He also starred in the critically acclaimed Off Broadway Production, “HA!… The Musical, from Emmy award winning writer, Michelle Wendt. And, he’s performed at the New York Comedy Festival, and stars in his web series, It’s a Chucked up Life. Charles’ comedy can be described as witty humor with a positive message. He creates laughter by mixing personal stories with social commentary. Charles has been called a “hilariously inventive comedian” by the Comedy Cellar’s Rick Crom. You can catch Charles performing at the top comedy clubs in NYC as well as clubs and colleges across the country.
Frank has been a comedian since 2011. Using a mixed style of observational humor and personal experiences, Frank’s likability, wit and strong stage presence have made him a comic you don’t want to miss. You can see him at The Comic Strip Live, Caroline’s, Stand Up NY, Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh, NC, New York Comedy Club and more.
Oscar Aydin is a New York-based comedian originally from Chicago. A two time feature in Time Out New York's "LGBT POC Comedian We're Obsessed With Right Now". He’s been on LOGO, Bravo, BBC Reels and a regular on SiriusXM. Whether it’s an audience of 3 or 1,000, Oscar always brings his sass and eccentric style of comedy that keeps audiences saying "Oh Oscar".
Olga Namer is a New York based stand-up comedian and actress who recently won the 2018 Ladies of Laughter competition. She has done a live taping for the Gotham Comedy VR show. She also hosts a show on BeTerrific TV called “3pm Wake Up Call"
Ted Barton was originally born in Jacksonville, Florida, Ted is a Manhattan-based Stand-Up Comedian offering his unique, observational perspective on the world around him through a lens of innocence and curiosity. His comedy has been described as refreshing, lighthearted, relatable, goofy and original. He has been seen at Broadway Comedy Club, Stand Up NY, Greenwich Village Comedy Club, Comic Strip Live and The Stand.
Mike Bramante is a New York City based stand-up comedian and writer. He has performed on shows at clubs all over Manhattan against all odds, with a jawline that makes people say, “There’s no way this guy can be funny”. He also received a residency at Broadway Comedy Club and competed in the 2019 Devil Cup. He co-produces the monthly Tell You What Comedy Show at a speakeasy comedy club in the back of a vegan restaurant, a show way less pretentious than it sounds. His style can be described as aggressively passive. And if you don’t like that then he will be happy to go ahead and change whatever’s necessary.
Based out of New Haven, CT, David got into comedy because of a promise he made to himself. “Graduate from college and you can pursue stand-up.” Now, after years of waiting to go on last at open mics only to perform in front of the number of people you’d expect to stay out until after midnight on a Wednesday, he only has one regret...that he went to college.
Dave has played venues around New England as well as performing for innumerable fundraisers. He has been a semi-finalist in The Funniest Comic in CT contest, as well as being named among the top three favorite local comics in the New Haven Advocate readers poll.
Claire Alexander is not actually a comedian at all and is only here to flirt with your dad. Hailing from the wealthy state of Connecticut she is, for lack of a better word, a complete gold digger, only creating a career as a comic in NYC to appear as though she is “not like other girls” and to get better pictures for her tinder bio. She has opened many bottles of Sam Adams, and opened the door of the restaurant she works in for Diane Keaton. Follow her on Instagram @clairebearpears and in real life when she’s riding on the Q train because it’ll totally flatter her.
Gus Constantellis is a first-generation Greek-American stand-up comedian/writer. He regularly performs at Stand Up NY and Broadway Comedy Club, and was featured as a Breakout Artist by Carolines on Broadway in 2021. Gus is a gay comedian whose material deals heavily with his large immigrant family, Greek heritage, raunchy yet relatable dating stories, and unique perspective on growing up in Brooklyn. He writes for several children’s shows on Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and Netflix, including "The Lion Guard," "Rainbow Rangers", "Abby Hatcher," and "Gabby's Dollhouse."
Katie Morrissey is an animated comedian with a knack for delivering the unexpected. Most nights she is in New York City delivering her conversational comedy in shady comedy club basements. Featured recently in the 6th Borough Comedy Festival, Katie also produces an on-going show at the People's Improv Theater in NYC.
Katie was raised in Cleveland Ohio, affectionately known as the mistake on the lake. Being a mistake herself, she learned from an early age how to laugh at herself. Katie engages audiences with her openness and an attitude that continues to make her mother uncomfortable.
Chris Shurr is a trans stand-up comedian based out of Brooklyn. She’s performed in places including, Broadway Comedy Club, Stonewall Inn, Tiny Cupboard and Mohegan
Tess Tregellas is an actor, comedian, writer, and avid list maker. She is also aware that you have no idea how to pronounce her last name. She has performed stand up comedy all over NYC and has appeared in shows with Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan. She has been featured on Funny or Die. She has written, produced, directed and performed in her short films “Left to Your Own Devices” and “The Cell Phone Block Tango” that have won awards at film festivals across the country. Currently, she produces, hosts and performs in virtual comedy shows for a company called Humor That Works. From her training at The Second City and UCB, she has created sketches and characters for her social media accounts. You can follow her on Instagram @tesstreg and check out her Youtube Channel for weekly sketches.
Miles Mortali is a stand up comic out of Southern Connecticut. His eclectic mix of observational humor, story telling, and awkward asides keeps audiences on their toes and laughing, while giving them a chance to see life through his eyes.
Bio:
A Hartford, CT native, Vince Berry left his opera studies The Hartt School of Music to pursue a career in the wild world of professional wrestling. For over eleven years Vince has served as the Voice of Pro Wrestling in the Northeast; performing as a ring announcer, interviewer, and color commentator. He literally began his comedy career in a basement, The Reginald Kingsley Comedy Cellar, and is just happy to be performing aboveground for once. Vince currently hosts The WAR Report Pro Wrestling Podcast and irregularly uploads to his own YouTube channel. He can be found online @ohsnapvince on Instagram, YouTube, and most other platforms.
Mustafe Mussa is a stand up comic who has performed in comedy clubs across New England and the Tri-State area.
RICKY VELEZ is a New-York based actor and stand-up comedian who was named one of Variety's "Ten Comics to Watch"; Most recently, he appeared alongside Pete Davidson in Judd Apatow's film, THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND. He has appeared in the HBO series, CRASHING, was a correspondent on Comedy Central's THE NIGHTLY SHOW WITH LARRY WILMORE, and he has appeared on Netflix’s MASTER OF NONE and Comedy Central’s THIS WEEK AT THE COMEDY CELLAR. As a comic, RICKY was named "New York's Funniest Comedian" by Caroline's Comedy Club and was featured in Comedy Central's and The New York Comedy Festival's Fifth annual "Comics to Watch".
Dante Nero is a comedian, born and bred in Brooklyn, New York. A trained martial artist, Nero dabbled in various fields before turning to comedy. He earned a fencing scholarship to SUNY New Paltz, before working for a phone company and serving as a bouncer and an exotic dancer. In 2001, Dante turned to a different sort of performance: stand up comedy. He quickly made a name for himself, working with established and successful comics like Tracy Morgan and Mike Epps. He co-hosted The Black Phillip Show with Patrice O’Neal, a relationship advice show on Sirius XM Radio. Dante has appeared on The Opie & Anthony Channel, Hot 97, and Chappelle’s Show. An accomplished actor, Dante has appeared on Z Rock on IFC, Damages on FX, and the popular series Fringe on FOX. Recently, Nero had a role in the NBC crime drama, The Blacklist.