August 29 - SEPTEMBER 2

Hilarities 4th Street Theatre

2035 E. 4th Street

Cleveland, OH 44115

The annual Accidental Comedy Fest enters it's 7th annual festivities ready to take another step into the national spotlight. Hilarities 4th Street Theater is once again a proud partner & host of the ever growing festival.  ACF features the cream of the Cleveland comedic crop paired with emerging talent from all over the United States, all converging in downtown Cleveland Labor Day Week August 29 thru September 2.

The first wave of artists for this year is an absolute DOOZY. Check them out below and get excited for what's quickly becoming one of the most intimate, well curated festivals in the country. Featuring stand up, live podcasts & additional ripples TBA, 2018 is looking mighty fine. 

ticket packages & VIP passes on sale NOW

ticket packages & VIP passes on sale NOW

2018 FIRST WAVE ARTISTS

The initial burst of headliners are peers, mentors & friends that we sweet talked into coming to Cleveland to hang out and eat pork shoulder.

BIO

LIZA TREYGER is a stand up comic living in nyc and is loving it. She has her own Comedy Central half hour and album called Glittercheese. She’s appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Desus and Miro, @midnight, Horace and Pete, Chelsea Lately, This is not happening and more. She enjoys tattoos, tv, lounging and chatting with friends, and spending more money than she has.

BIO

Originally from Atlanta, CLAYTON ENGLISH is a stand-up comedian, actor and writer. Most recently known as the winner of NBC's LAST COMIC STANDING in 2015, Clayton is currently headlining clubs, colleges, and festivals non-stop throughout the country.  Clayton has also featured for comedy greats including Dave Chappelle and Bill Burr and was named a New Face at the Montreal JFL Comedy Festival. 

Clayton made his late night standup debut on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS and is recurring in LOVE on Netflix. He also guest stars in an upcoming episode of BROOKLYN 99. Clayton recently wrapped production on THE WAR WITH GRANDPA, starring Robert De Niro, Uma Thurman, and Christopher Walken.

BIO

JOYELLE NICOLE prides herself on being the nerd she was ashamed of growing up in NJ after attending Asthma and Band Camp. Fortunately, these unique experiences inform her set. Highlights of her career include being chosen as a finalist for NBC's Stand Up showcase and performing at festivals like Sketchfest, Bonnaroo and Bumbershoot, to making her late night television debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers & Wyatt Cenac's Night Train for SeeSo, Joyelle has a lot to look forward to with this track record.  Time Out NY told everyone why they loved her.  And at the close of the incessant depression that was 2016 she reached comedy mecca becoming a regular at the world famous Comedy Cellar. Presently, she's on tour with Lizz Winstead's Lady Parts Justice League making her dream come true combining comedy and activism.

BIO

SEAN PATTON is a comedian based in Los Angeles and New York, by way of New Orleans. He began doing stand-up in the Crescent City and have since performed in comedy clubs across the US and Canada, as well as The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (2011), Just for Laughs Chicago (2013), Just for Laughs Toronto (2013), and Just for Laughs Montreal (2008, 2010, 2012). He's performed on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham (2009), Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2010), and Conan (2011, 2013). 2013 also marked the release of his Comedy Central Half Hour.

More recently, He's been on @midnight (2014, 2015) and will be on the second seasons of The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail (2015) and This Is Not Happening (2015, 2017), Showtime's Live from SXSW (2017) and TruTv's Comedy Knockout (2016, 2017) As for acting, He's appeared on IFC'S Maron, Comedy Central's Inside Amy Schumer and TruTV's Those who can't.

Those are the things I’ve done that I’m proud of. For a list of things I’ve done that I’m not so proud of... yeah right, you ain’t never gonna know that! I love what I do, some of you will too (thanks!), and some of you will not (but thanks for coming). I want to share myself with you, whomever you are. "I’ve seen him perform more than a dozen sets, and he’s killed every time. He’s dynamite, even with ordinary material, turning standard Brooklyn hipster jokes into a stomping, roaring tour de force, and elevating a bit about sex-performance anxiety into high-stakes comedy. [...] He’s the rare comic who goes over as well in a comedy club as in a bar basement." - New York Times

SAT 9/1 @4:20p DOUG LOVES MOVIES

BIO

DEBRA DiGIOVANNI is a standup, writer and performer based in Los Angeles. Originally from Toronto, Debra is best known for her extensive portfolio of work in her home country of Canada including CBC’s Debaters, Much Music’s Video On Trial and Comedy Network’s Match Game.

Debra’s first hour special Single, Awkward Female premiered on Showtime in 2011 and her next hour special Here’s The Thing will premiere on Crave in 2018. Additionally, Debra has appeared on Comedy Central’s Live At Gotham, Funny or Die’s Office Humor and was a finalist on the 5th season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing.

Debra tour lives at venues and festivals around the world including the Glasgow Comedy Festival, JFL Sydney, Bridgetown, Moontower, High Plains, Bumbershoot and RIOT LA. Additionally she has appeared at JFL NorthWest, Toronto and Montreal over 15 times.

Debra releases weekly episodes of her hugely popular podcast Killing Time w/Debra & Zach, recently appeared on Comedy Central’s Corporate and will release her debut comedy album in April of this year with A Special Thing Records. She made her US late night comedy debut on CONAN in February of this year.

BIO

BILLY WAYNE DAVIS, originally from Crossville, TN is a writer, actor, and stand-up who has performed in 41 states, 4 countries and Texas. He has appeared on Conan, Last Comic Standing, WTF with Marc Maron, voiced multiple characters on Adult Swim’s SquidBillies, hosted a Morgan Spurlock documentary for CMT, named a 2015 Fresh Face by the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, opened for Grammy winning Sturgill Simpson’s 30 city Living the Dream Tour, and just released his second comedy album, “Billy Wayne Davis: Live at Third Man Records.”

BIO

cumtown is a bad show that's somehow a popular podcast and no one should listen to it but please buy tickets anyway

STAVROS HALKIAS is a plus size man.

They'll be doing a live edition of the popular podcast CUMTOWN Sunday afternoon on the last day of the fest.

BIO

JERMAINE FOWLER is an actor, writer and comedian, funnier than you could ever hope to be!

RETURNING ALUMNI

These folks will be performing on the mainstage, headlining the cabaret stage, or gazing longingly into your eyes over a big sandwich.

CURTIS COOK

HOMETOWN  Cleveland, OH

CURRENT CITY  Los Angeles, CA

CREDITS

Portlandia, Viceland, Comedy Central, The Jim Jefferies Show

BEST DESSERT & WHY?

Sherbet 'cause it's diverse and delicious.

DESTROY ONE DESSERT. WHICH ONE & WHY?

Neapolitan ice cream 'cause it's segregated and gross.

BIO

CURTIS COOK is a standup comedian and writer living in Los Angeles, California. He’s been seen on Portlandia, Flophouse, and Comedy Central as well as venues and festivals throughout the country, including the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, Clusterfest, and the Chicago Comedy Exposition. In addition to performing standup, Curtis is a writer for the Willamette Week, Laugh Staff, and The Jim Jefferies Show on Comedy Central.

BIO

JIM TEWS is a comedian and New York Times bestselling writer who got his start in Cleveland. Seen on NBC, FX, heard on SiriusXM radio. Shorter than he looks on stage.

BIO

FELONIOUS MUNK appeared regularly on The Nightly Show with Larry Wlimore on Comedy Central and at the legendary Second City in Chicago as co-creator, host, and writer for the groundbreaking "Afrofuturism" and Black Side of the Moon shows, the latter of which he was nominated for a Helen Hayes award.

His semi-autobiographical show "Nothing To Lose (But Our Chains) was also nominated for a Helen Hayes award. He began his career doing stand up (poorly). He has since improved and has headlined comedy clubs from Gotham in New York City to the Funny Bone in Va Beach. He's a regular at the Laugh Factory in Chicago, Stand Up NY, The Stand, New York Comedy Club, and The Stand Room in New York. And his beard remains one of comedy's best.

BIO

AMY MILLER was a breakout favorite in Season 9 of Last Comic Standing. Keenen Ivory Wayans said she had one of the “fiercest jokes he had ever heard.” Originally from the East Bay, Amy found her comedy chops in the Oakland and is still a regular at the SF Punch Line and Cobb’s Comedy Club. After a move to Portland, Amy quickly rose to the top of the Pacific Northwest comedy scene, winning Portland’s Funniest in Helium's 2015 contest, as well as being voted Portland’s Funniest Comedian for 2013 and 2015 in the Willamette Week.  She was the first woman to win each position and the only one to win all three.

Amy’s debut album Solid Gold is available on Kill Rock Stars, and was named one of the top 10 comedy albums of 2016 by the Interrobang. You may have also seen Amy on Viceland or heard her on NPR, Doug Loves Movies, The Bennington Show, Put Your Hands Together, All Fantasy Everything, Keith and the Girl, or her own podcast "Who's Your God?."

BIO

Nore Davis is a New York-based comedian who delivers an energetic performance filled with witty quips and sharp punch lines, combined with an amazing stage presence. He has appeared on Comedy Central’s Inside Amy Schumer, HBO’s Last Week Tonight, MTV’s Nikki & Sara Live, The Artie Lange Show, and HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. He has also been seen in many videos on CollegeHumor and was featured on WNYC 2’s Dope Queens Podcast with Phoebe Robinson & Jessica Williams.

RyAN DALTON

HOMETOWN Cleveland, OH

CURRENT CITY  Los Angeles, CA

CREDITS Comedy Central, TBS, producer of COMEDIANS YOU SHOULD KNOW L.A.

BEST DESSERT & WHY?

A hot brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Besides sex and heroin, it’s what the devil uses to bait his traps.

DESTROY ONE DESSERT. WHICH ONE & WHY?

Flan or any dessert that has to be set on fire. What the hell is wrong with you? I’m trying to get this sugar fix in. Stop trying to give me 3rd degree burns with my treat

BIO

RYAN DALTON is a product of Cleveland, Ohio. Stand up comedy has led him to regular appearances in the country’s best comedy clubs. He is a regular on the nationally syndicated, “Bob and Tom Radio Show” and his comedy album’s , “You Were Funny Too,” and “I’m Married, Let Me Tell You About It” are on rotation on Sirius XM’s “RAWDOG” comedy channel, iTunes, Pandora Music, and Spotify. He took the grand prize at the “WORLD SERIES OF COMEDY” in Las Vegas in 2011.

Ryan has appeared on the third season of Comedy Central’s “LIVE AT GOTHAM.” He appeared on TBS’s sitcom “SULLIVAN AND SON” , and performed on AXS TV’s “GOTHAM COMEDY LIVE”. In 2012, Ryan was invited to perform in the “New Faces / Unrepped” showcase at the JUST FOR LAUGHS festival in Montreal. Ryan has toured with the USO in Qatar and Afghanistan. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Roast of Charlie Sheen,” among other failed projects & pilots. Ryan currently resides in Los Angeles, California where he can be found acting, doing stand up and making keen observations about what is infuriating in todays world.

cleveland artists

BIO

With a comedy style described as "chill anger", you definitely want to hear what comedian JOHN BRUTON has to say. A staple in the Cleveland comedy scene, John brings jokes to the stage that have put audiences in stitches from coast to coast. John has performed in the Burning Bridge Comedy Festival (Pittsburgh), Whisky Bear Comedy Festival (Columbus, OH), as well as Cleveland's Cleveland Comedy Festival and Accidental Comedy Festival. John has also worked with some of the biggest names mainstream and urban comedy like JB Smoove, Roy Woods, Jr., Theo Von, Michael Kosta, Clayton English, and Tony Roberts, to name a few.

BIO

CODY COOPER is a lovable panda shaped man from Cleveland, OH. If Cody ‘s unique stories and humorous observations of everyday life don't make his audience squeal with glee, then his podcast Gabbing with Grandma sure will!

BIO

JUANDA MAYFIELD is truly one of Ohio's own. She grew up on the east side of Cleveland, cutting her comedy teeth early on by impersonating members of her church family. Then on to school where as a heavy-set chocolate chick you had to be able throw a humorous barb as well as take one. Juanda soon learned she had a knack for making people laugh and keeping them entertained. She won the Ohio's Funniest Comedian contest at The Funny Stop Comedy Club and it was sunshine and giggles from then on.

She continued her success by winning several other comedy contests. She's had audiences busting a gut in almost every small town and hamlet in Ohio. From the bright lights of Akron to the steamy nights of Zanesville, no club or bar has been left unturnedout. She also loves playing in clubs and colleges across the country, because it gives her a chance to coupon (her second love). It is nearly impossible to contain your laughter once you experience Juanda's witty perspective on food, fat, children and relationships just to name a few. Hold on tight and ride the wave of Juanda Mayfield's rise through the comedy ranks as one of the country's funniest comedians. This is one performance you won't want to miss!

BIO

JIMMIE GRAHAM is a founding member of Accidental Comedy and can be found dark charming audiences all over the place with his his intelligent, off-beat & honest point of view.

BIO

Hailing from Cleveland, OH, MARY SANTORA is a fresh breath of femininity in the otherwise male dominated world of stand up. Her quick witted, observational style has landed her the opportunity to not only perform across the country, but to open for such comedic greats as Jen Kirkman, Dave Attell, and Tom Papa. She was named The Best Female Comedian by The Cleveland Scene Magazine two years in a row in 2016 and 2017, took second place in the 2015 Cleveland Comedy Festival and is a regular on The Alan Cox Show on 100.7 WMMS. Mary is quickly making a name for herself as one the best up and coming comics in the Midwest.

BIO

BILL SQUIRE is the co-host of The Alan Cox Show on 100.7 WMMS and was once a very motivated comedian. Now he’s getting older and just doesn’t seem to care as much. He’s still funny though. He’s just at a point we’re comedy isn’t as fulfilling as it once was. He’s just going through some things I guess. Also he doesn’t like writing his own bios. Guess he thought after 14 years and having a number 1 album on iTunes and opening for some for the biggest names in comedy he’d be further along. Don’t get me wrong he’s doing well. He just doesn’t have the accolades and credits other comics do. He didn’t really pursue those credits though he just wanted to be funny and not have a real job which he accomplished. He did win best male comedian in 2017 from Scene Magazine which is cool but Mike Polk Jr asked to not be on the ballot that year so it has an asterisk.

national submissions

Every year, HUNDREDS of comedians from around the country submit to be considered to come to Cleveland for fun comedy times. This year, these 11 made the cut! 

JOE KWACZALA

HOMETOWN Pittsburgh CURRENT CITY  Los Angeles

CREDITS  Comedy Central Comic to Watch

BEST DESSERT & WHY?

Rice Krispie Treats because they dared to dream of a world where cereal could be dessert and somehow pulled it off

DESTROY ONE DESSERT. WHICH ONE & WHY?

Black licorice. It's not 1915 anymore-- we've since discovered the concept of flavor.

BIO

Joe Kwaczala is a stand-up from Pittsburgh, who started doing comedy in Chicago and now lives in Los Angeles. He has performed at festivals like Colossal Clusterfest, Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, San Francisco Sketchfest, and the Chicago Comedy Exposition, and in 2017, he was chosen to be one of Comedy Central's "Up Next" Comics to Watch. Joe has performed on the nationally-syndicated public radio show "Live Wire" and has written for The Onion News Network, ClickHole, and MAD Magazine. His independently-produced pilot "Cowards" won "Best Comedy Pilot" at the New York Television Festival and his subsequent web series for IFC "Does Dave Know We're Here?" was chosen by Paste Magazine as one of the "Best Internet Comedy Videos of 2015." Cleveland, you'll like this: Joe is obsessed with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and hosts a podcast about it, "Who Cares About the Rock Hall?"

BIO

J SMITTY IS A BOSTON BASED COMEDIAN AND WRITER. J’S HUMOR AND POINT OF VIEW STEM FROM AWKWARD SITUATIONS, RACIAL HUMOR AND MISDIRECTION. ALONG WITH HIS USE OF MANY IMPRESSIONS SMITTY WILL FIND A WAY TO HAVE YOU LAUGHING OR GROANING (EITHER WILL DO). J CAN BE SEEN ON SEASON 2 OF KEVIN HART'S "HART OF THE CITY ON COMEDY CENTRAL. HE HAS PERFORMED IN THE BOSTON COMEDY FESTIVAL, CINDER BLOCK COMEDY FESTIVAL AND WAS A FINALIST IN THE 2017 MARCH COMEDY MADNESS. HE IS THE HOST OF THE "FRIENDS WITH WORDS" PODCAST AND NOW THAT'S JUST SOMETHING YOU KNOW NOW. HE’S NOT THE COMEDIAN WE WANT, HE’S THE COMEDIAN WE DESERVE.

BIO

SAM IKE is a comedian from Boston. His unique stage presence and observations have made him loved by audiences all over the country. He's performed in comedy festivals like Limestone, SF Sketchfest, Big Sky, and the Second City/NBC Universal Breakout Festival in Chicago. He's also been featured on NPR's You're the Expert, The Bechdel Cast on How Stuff Works Network, and The Check Spot on Sirius XM. Often you can see Sam as the cohost of the popular weekly show, Cityside Comedy or rewriting this bio.

MANDAL

HOMETOWN Atlanta, GA

CURRENT CITY  Atlanta, GA

CREDITS Laughing Skull Festival, Memphis Comedy Festival

BEST DESSERT & WHY?

Cheesecake. It combines two of my favorite things.

DESTROY ONE DESSERT. WHICH ONE & WHY?

Carrot Cake. Leave your vegetables at home.

BIO

MANDAL is a Atlanta based comedian that is known for his high energy performance and quirky sense of humor. He is also the cohost for Clown School, a podcast about life's absurdities. He has opened for comedians such as Tig Notaro, Rory Scovel, and Donnell Rawlings. He has also performed in Orlando Indie Comedy Festival, Memphis Comedy Festival, and Laughing Skull Comedy Festival.

BIO

ANDREA GUZZETTA is an absurdly earnest artist and stand-up comedian based in Los Angeles. She co-produces the monthly ‘Oversharing Comedy Show,’ where audiences and comedians trauma-bond through laughter and hosts ‘Andrea Loves Everybody,’ a podcast that celebrates our flawed search for love and acceptance. A grandma in a young gal’s body, she enjoys heartfelt talks, handmade crafts, and fumbling with technology… and kickboxing. Just like your grandma.