Novato Theater Company
Comedy Festival November 2022
NTC proudly presents the next in our wildly popular series of Comedy Festivals.
The best of the Bay Area stand-up talent right here on our stage.
Hosted by John Griffin
Organized by Paco Romane
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 4
Kala Keller
Jeen Yee
Corde Snell
Phil Griffiths
Austin Carr
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 5
SOLD OUT!
Julie Sommer
Mean Dave
Cody Smit
Steve Ausburne
Gina Stahl-Haven
WINE AND BEER WILL BE AVAILABLE!
Photos and Bios in no particular order...
Cody Smit
Before doing stand-up comedy, Santa Rosa native Cody Smit started out as a rapper under the stage name, C-Smitty. After realizing he was tone-deaf and possessed no rhythm, he gave up on his dreams of becoming a white rapper and took to stand-up comedy. His first gig was at a slam poetry open mic and consisted of him jotting down jokes about an ex-girlfriend on a bar napkin. His would-be set quickly escalated into a dreary tirade about her infidelity. Before he knew it, Smit was producing and hosting comedy shows throughout Sonoma County. At 22 years old, Smit learned the art of what it truly means to “bomb” on stage in the preliminary rounds of the San Francisco Comedy Competition. Now he does so with class and dignity.
Gina Stahl-Haven
Gina Stahl-Haven is one of the most dynamic comics in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has been performing in the comedy and improv world for over 15 years and is the 2nd Place Winner of the 2019 San Francisco International Comedy Competition (the 1st woman in 36 years, and the only woman other than Ellen Degeneres to hold this title). You may have caught Gina on season 17 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent where she received 4 yesses from the celebrity judges. Howie Mandel calls her “wonderful” and “memorable”. Festival credits include the World Series of Comedy Las Vegas, Boston Comedy Festival, SF Improv Festival, Hawaii Improv Festival, and more. She was featured on the Andrea Savage podcast, in the Un-Scripted Theatre Company and headlines at comedy clubs throughout the country. Frequently recognized for her captivating story-telling, Gina’s real take on life, motherhood, dating, and navigating Costco; combined with her intoxicating stage presence make her irresistible to watch!
@TheFunnyGina on Facebook and Instagram
Corde Snell
Corde Snell is a California based comic with roots in both the San Francisco Bay Area as well as the Central Coast and LA. After graduating from UC Santa Barbra, Corde decided to invest fully into comedy and has been performing all over California in clubs like The Comedy Store, Cobb's, Punchline, San Jose Improv and more and opened for names such as Moshe Kasher, Brent Ernst, James Davis and Eddie Griffin. Corde brings his unique brand of comedy stemming from his own life experiences and the absurdity that has surrounded them.
Austin Carr
Austin Carr is a young, up & coming comedian; he got his start working as a door guy at the famous Cobb’s Comedy Club in San Francisco & is now performing at Comedy Clubs, Theaters & Festivals across the country! Austin also produces a hit show called “Talking After Sets” as well as a show on a boat called “Comedy on the Bay” which had it’s first annual “Comedy on the Bay Festival” in 2021 & his debut album “Nice to Meet You” made it to #2 on iTunes Charts! Born and raised in Northern California, Austin has a sharp wit; his observational comedy showcases his unique take on the world, his life experiences and he’s a natural story teller. Through comedy Austin hopes to challenge his own beliefs, highlight some of the absurdities of the world, give his takes on a range of topics from his personal life to common experiences and global happenings, alter perspectives, bring people together, and most importantly make you laugh!
Julie Sommer
Julie is a native of San Francisco, and was raised in Marin County. She has recently been expanding on the comedy circuit, and frequently performing in the Bay Area. Often, you can find per performing at Trek Winery in Novato. She enjoys long walks on the beach, and taking endless jabs at her husband. She is a sassy Italian with a quick wit and a sharp tongue.
Steve Ausburne
Steve Ausburne is a Northern California based comedian but started his comedy career by getting a lifetime ban from a church Grant’s Pass Oregon. Buoyed by that taste of success, he has since embraced the stage as a place to present a spoken word memoir of all the embarrassing life moments that lurk in a place that only stand up or therapy sessions can reveal. Steve is a regular at the San Francisco Punch Line and Cobb’s Comedy Club as well as a cohost of multiple mildly popular podcasts. He is also allergic to cats.
Kala Keller
Kala Keller is a bitch, a lover, a child and a mother. She’s a sinner and a saint, she does not feel ashamed. When she isn’t performing standup you can find her writing and chasing after her pack of feral children.
Mean Dave
Mean Dave is a regular at Cobb’s Comedy Club, Punch Line in SF and Sacramento and Laughs Unlimited and has opened for headliners such as Judy Tenuta, Big Jay Oakerson, Eddie Pepitone, Dan Soder, Jay Mohr, Allan Havey, Neil Hamburger, Dean Delray, Tom Rhodes and most importantly, Barry Sobel. Most of Dave’s life has been littered with utter disappointment and flat-out betrayal that only a sarcastic, cynical sense of humor can remedy. Hopefully this information helps you in your decision as to whether Mean Dave’s comedy will help you attain laughter as you progress through your futile existence. Many fans agree with this statement, “Mean Dave has made us laugh, cry, and cringe! He is honest and cynical, and such a sweet person.”
Jeen Yee
Jeen Yee is a Bay Area based stand-up comedian who has performed at SF Sketchfest and was recently selected for the Oakland Comedy Festival and the Art of Female Comedy Festival. Jeen has performed in the World Series of Comedy, telling jokes in cities throughout the US. She has also won the preliminary round at the Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Competition, the Saddle Rack Comedy Championship and Tommy T’s Monthly Competition. Jeen has performed stand-up in Spanish and English, and her comedy travels have spanned five countries, including Mexico, Taiwan, and Turkey. Onstage, Jeen is a delight. At once intimate and expansive, Jeen leaves audiences feeling like they have just shared a moment with someone.
Phil Griffiths
As far as mid-life crises go, Phil Griffiths’ wife stacks his career in stand-up comedy as better than a drug addiction but worse than him having a mistress. With his dry deadpan humor, Phil shares his slightly off observations on life. Phil has opened for Kyle Kinane, Ms. Pat, Greg Fitzsimmons, Beth Stelling, Laurie Kilmartin, Josh Blue, Chad Daniels, Jackie Kashian, Jermaine Fowler, Brad Williams, and more. He also produces and hosts Comedy Sharks, a successful comedy showcase in the Bay Area.