Dear reader, your author thought that this article would write itself. If you’ve met me, you know I have an infantile sense of humor, so of course I’m going to harp on the fact that the 15th Annual Sketch Fest can be enjoyed the entirety of its five days for a mere $69. Heh heh. But, then that would be a disservice to the months of hard work of our guests Carolyn Kelleher (Creative Director of Austin Sketch Fest, and many, many other hats) and Ashley Ellis (Producer of Austin Sketch Fest) have spent curating the 2024 festival; such dedication, so that we could laugh at the sketches put on by 150 performers from across North America (and Canada!) over the course of May 23 to May 27!
My humor is validated, when in the podcast Kelleher and Ellis reveal they are fully in on the joke of the $69 pass price. As if they had rehearsed, Kelleher proclaims “it’s such a steal,” and without skipping a beat, Ellis chimes in “it’s a naughty little steal.”
There's something for everyone - you won't be let down
Ashley Ellis
Kelleher and Ellis are great spokespersons for pulling my mind out of the gutter and sharing what the 2024 Austin Sketch Fest brings to Austin’s ColdTowne Theater (which originally founded the festival). This year’s festival will have 14 sketch shows over the course of five nights, shows hosted by Austin Chronicle Best of Austin standup comics Angelina Martin and Rochelle McConico, LGBTQIA+ performers, and giveaways!
But wait! There’s more!! I’m not even sure I can capture everything you’re in for with the festival. We do have the guarantee from Ellis that “there’s something for everyone — you won’t be let down.” We know this to be true from having attended past Austin Sketch Fests, and when you reflect on the fact that past performers have included SNL’s Ego Nwodim, Netflix’s I Think You Should Leave star, Tim Robinson, and so many more.
This year’s festival includes performers already established as superstars. Houstonian, Chris Grace of Superstore, Broad City, and PEN15, will be headlining the festival and running a workshop on musical improv. Joan and Raft, a sketch-writing super-duo known for writing on Netflix, HBO Max, Cartoon Network, and Comedy Central are presenting a workshop about collaborating in the writer’s room. Past Comedy Wham Presents guest, Woody Fu (UCB, Boom Chicago, JFL: New Faces, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens) is leading a workshop about characters. The workshops are not included in the $69 Fest Pass, but are well worth the investment (and scholarships are available). Sign up quickly before workshop spots run out!
It's fun to watch people who are having a good time
Carolyn Kelleher
Check out the podcast to hear about my, Ellis’, and Kelleher’s favorite sketches of all time, and a pseudo-intellectual conversation about the “art” of breaking. If you’re not familiar with the term, you’ll know famous breaker, Jimmy Fallon. Known for breaking during his entire tenure at Saturday Night Live, he was either loathed or loved for his habit. For Kelleher, she “finds it endearing, specifically in ensemble things like sketch because you’re getting a kick out of each other and yourselves.” To her, breaking is the ultimate sign that you’re having a good time, and “it’s fun to watch people who are having a good time.”
As an audience member attending the 15th Annual Austin Sketch Fest from Thursday May 23 to Monday May 27, we’re guaranteed a good time. Headliners of the festival are the aforementioned Chris Grace and Joan & Raft. We’ll also be treated to performances by Clara Blackstone, Woody Fu, Ghost Girl, and Party Trick. And then in the “fine print” portion of the festival performers, we’ll get to see local favorites Big Fart, Juicebar, Juicebox, The Floor is Lava, and soooo many more performances.
Welp, I guess this article did write itself, after all. All without the constant, puerile retread of an immature reference to 69. Ok, maybe a little bit. But really, if you want to be in on the joke, buy a $69 all festival pass and clear your schedule from Thursday May 23 to Monday May 27 and get ready to laugh. Maybe you’ll even see someone break on stage. And be sure to say thank you to our guests Ashley and Kelleher for being part of the team bringing us the best sketch festival for its 15th year.
Follow Austin Sketch Fest
Attend the 15th Annual ATX Sketch Fest, May 23 – 27, 2024, at ColdTowne Theater:
- $69 All Fest Pass!!
- 150 performers + 14 incredible shows
- Three workshops on writing, characters, and musical improv
- Headliners Chris Grace and Joan & Raft
- Shows hosted by Austin Chronicle Best of Austin stand up comic finalists Angelina Martin and Rochelle McConico
- Air purifier from Clear the Air ATX and a masked-only show block
- LGBTQIA+ headliners
Follow Carolyn
Follow Ashley