Some of the country’s best sketch comedy performers will head to ColdTowne Theater this month for Austin Sketch Fest.
“We review dozens of submissions every year to pick the cream of the crop,” executive producer Ashley Ellis said, “and we’re looking for unique perspectives, fresh ideas.”
Over the years, the festival has gained a reputation for showcasing comedians on the cusp of breaking out into mainstream pop culture.
“We’ve had Tim Robinson, Amber Ruffin, Meg Stalter, James Adomian,” Ellis said. “There’s so many acts that we’ve had before they were big.”
Courtesy of Austin Sketch fest
Known for his Netflix series I Think You Should Leave, Tim Robinson headlined Austin Sketch Fest alongside Mark Raterman in 2014.
One of this year’s headliners is Saturday Night Live’s Andrew Dismukes, who attended the University of Texas and started his comedy career in Austin.
“We’re so excited to have an active SNL cast member,” Ellis said. “I’m gonna have to try really hard not to be a fangirl when I meet him.”
Festival organizers also go out of their way to showcase a variety of Texan performers like Mimi Meier, whose comedy journey started when she made a joke on an elevator and somebody suggested she try standup.
“That was all it took,” Meier said.
She moved to Austin five years ago to pursue her comedy dreams. At this year’s Sketch Fest, she’ll be performing her show “Me? Me!,” which centers around a Hollywood starlet telling her life story.
“But she doesn’t realize she’s not famous,” Meier said, “which is kind of me as a person.”
Courtesy of Austin Sketch Fest
Mimi Meier will play the role of a delusional starlet at this year’s Austin Sketch Fest.
In addition to stage time and exposure, Austin Sketch Fest allows performers the chance to learn from and network with other performers navigating the entertainment industry.
“It’s not only for an audience to have fun, it’s for performers to connect with each other,” Meier said, “to learn and have a friend in another city.”
Austin Sketch Fest runs two weekends, Aug. 14-16 and Aug. 21-23. Get tickets here.