The 10th annual Tucson Comedy Arts Festival will bring 10 days of comedy shows to the Tucson Improv Movement stage, starting this week.
“We’ve got over 60 performers coming from other states,” said TIM executive producer Justin Lukasewicz.
Kicking off Thursday night, the performances run through Oct. 19.
The comedy company launched the first iteration of the festival on November 2015 to showcase not only local talent but also comedians from different parts of the nation.
When the pandemic began, the TIM hosted a virtual festival and then continued to host smaller-scale events. Lukasewicz said they are returning to their large production with this year’s festival, bringing both shows and workshops to comedy enthusiasts in Tucson. Acts from states such as New York, California and Alaska will be traveling in for the comedy festival.
The 10-day event will begin with the Festival Kickoff Jam at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10., in which anyone can get on stage and participate with the company members. The full schedule of shows and workshops can be found on the website. The improv workshops will be taught by Arizona natives and visitors alike.
The headliners include actress and writer Jaime Moyer and screenwriter and improviser Carla Cackowski. Moyer’s voice has been featured in “Bob’s Burgers” and she has had roles in shows such as “Night Court” and “Modern Family” and other sitcoms. Cackowski’s work has bee distributed by channels like PBS Kids and Nickelodeon.
The Soapbox show will feature state Sen. Priya Sundareshan and the TIM company’s all-LBTQ+ improv show — A Big Wet Throbbing Queer Comedy Show — will also be featured during the festival. Lukasewicz said the shows usually rate PG-13 while the late night shows may contain some material suitable for older attendees. Plus, the Go With The Flow Players from Green Valley will have its festival debut.
“About 85 percent of the festival is improv,” Lukasewicz said. “We have some sketches and stand-up but most of it is improv.”
The shows will al take place at the Tucson Improv Movement, 414 E. 9th St., and tickets for shows range from free to $9. All-access passes for the festival are $40.