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èßäAVpresents the 25th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to Kevin Hart. Meet the new recipient and watch performances, interviews, and other highlights from past events.
Comedy
Comedy
From stand-up to improv to sketch comedy, enjoy a wide range of humor featuring both emerging and established comedians from around the world.
Upcoming Events
John Oliver
Dec. 27 - 31, 2024
Celebrate the end of 2024 with John Oliver, who shares his warm, witty jokes in a new stand-up set. Oliver is an Emmy® and Writers Guild Award–winning writer and comedian, and is the host and producer of the HBO show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
Tragedy + Time:
Michael Cruz Kayne: Sorry for Your Loss
Michael Cruz Kayne: Sorry for Your Loss
Sat. Jan. 25, 2025
The comedian and writer from The Late Show presents a hilarious, difficult, and touching show about grief. If everyone dies, why does nobody talk about it?
Shear Madness
Jan. 28 - Oct. 5, 2025
Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington’s hilarious whodunit. After more than 17,800 performances, the show has stayed in great shape. Performances are ongoing.
All ages welcomed, recommended for 13+
Stamptown proudly presents
Jack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour
Thu. Jan. 30, 2025
After a seven-week run Off Broadway in NYC with four extensions, an international tour, and a New York Times Critic’s Pick, the bad boy of clown Zach Zucker arrives in D.C. with his award-winning alter-ego: Jack Tucker.
W. Kamau Bell: Who’s With Me?
Thu. Feb. 13, 2025
Comedian and filmmaker W. Kamau Bell returns to the stand-up stage, full of questions, thoughts, and a heavy dollop of silliness in these hectic times. He’s pretty sure the only way we make it through all of this is if we face it together. So Bell wants to know: Who’s With Me?
RIOT! Funny Women Stand Up
Wed. Mar. 5, 2025
Join us for RIOT! Funny Women Stand Up, a special comedy event in celebration of Women’s History Month and featuring an all-woman lineup. Leading performers from across the comedic landscape come together to celebrate women in the arts through laughter!
David Nihill: Shelf Help Tour
Fri. Mar. 7, 2025
Leaving Dublin, Ireland where he was born and raised until the age of 22, David got drunk on travel and never quite hit sobriety of it. His shows draw on his wide travels, cultural observations, being a mildly confused immigrant, and more. The new show Shelf Help mixes comedy and reading recommendations, because that’s the kind of wild kinky stuff David is into.
Tragedy + Time:
Nonfiction Tragicomedy Writing with Elissa Bassist
Nonfiction Tragicomedy Writing with Elissa Bassist
Sun. Mar. 9, 2025
The editor, humor writer, teacher, and author teaches us about “traumedy”—that is, how to make readers laugh while punching them in the heart.
BriTANicK
Fri. Mar. 21, 2025
The Emmy®-nominated duo BriTANicK (Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher) bring their rapid-fire sketch comedy to the Family Theater! McElhaney and Kocher have written for Saturday Night Live, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and more.
It's Time Entertainment & Exodus Media Presents
Sylvia Traymore Morrison
Sat. Apr. 19, 2025
The first black female impressionist and associate writer on Saturday Night Live! Celebrating her over 50 year career in comedy and entertainment.
Asian AF
May 16 - 17, 2025
Asian AF returns with four performances! Asian AF (Asian As F***) is the premier Asian American variety show in Los Angeles and New York, spotlighting the best Asian American actors, stand-up comedians, improvisers, sketch performers, storytellers, and more.
Vanessa Gonzalez
Fri. May 23, 2025
A rising comedy star arrives for one night only! Vanessa Gonzalez was recently named in Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch list. You might recognize her as the incredible opening act for Chelsea Handler’s 2023 Kennedy Center show—now see more jokes from this acclaimed comedian!
2024-2025 Seasons Announced for Comedy
Explore a New Season of Laughs
Featuring a range of the biggest names and up-and-coming talent as the Center continues to offer a platform for comedic artists to share their unique and hilarious stories.
Comedy 2024-2025 Season Preview
Explore a New Season of Laughs
Featuring a range of the biggest names and up-and-coming talent as the Center continues to offer a platform for comedic artists to share their unique and hilarious stories.
Go behind the scenes at the Kennedy Center to explore the people, stories, and projects that bring comedy to life.
Comedy Videos
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