2022 MKE Comedy Fest Performer Bios
Luise Noé – Milwaukee, WI
Luise Noé currently resides in Milwaukee, having made her way from Germany over Austin to the Midwest. She makes silly jokes about beer, girlie stuff, and capitalism while figuring out life in the US—imagine Elle Woods trapped in the psychology of a European soccer hooligan! She is the true triple threat: she is angry, looks great in pink, and has a stupid accent you will learn to ignore. Recently, Luise has emceed for Chelsea Hood, been invited to the Arts of Female Comedy Festival in Denver, and opened for Kevin McCaffrey at a Haunted House in Iowa.
Live! From LaCrosse – LaCrosse, WI
Now entering their 10th year as a comedy troupe, LIVE! from La Crosse brings the entire gamut of sketch comedy from traditional sketch to musical comedy. Their commitment to characters, costumes, and props only makes this sketch comedy experience feel like a full theater production. They also have had celebrity guest hosts including Erik Stolhanske (Super Troopers) and Keith Coogan (Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead).
Kayle Engeman – Brooklyn, NY
Kayla Engeman is a comedian, writer, & actor based in Brooklyn with her cat, Cannoli. She trained with Upright Citizens Brigade in improv and has performed improv, sketch, and standup at many indie venues in NYC. She currently produces her own recurring variety show “Pity Party” at Brooklyn Comedy Collective.
David Louis – Milwaukee, WI
David Louis loves wiffleball and has serious opinions about mustard. He has been described as the, “lasagna of comedy,” because he has lots of layers, and is better the next day. He currently eats carnival food year-round in Milwaukee, fueling his high-paced, witty descriptions that will have the whole audience reaching for their tums. Dive bars, a comedy club attached to a strip club, casinos with chain-smoking retirees, he’s performed at all of them
Sarah Barnitt – New York
Imagine Alexis Rose, Leslie Knope and Jennifer (from Jennifer’s Body) all gave their best (and worst) qualities to an NYC comedian. That’s me! I love writing jokes about multifaceted womanhood: body image, relationships, sex, and career. I’m most satisfied when I can combine what I intellectually know about these facets with how I inexplicably feel, whether or not it’s ‘right.’ Also, sometimes I tell dick jokes. But only sometimes.
Grapefruit Bubbly – Madison, WI
Grapefruit Bubbly is a comedy sketch team based out of Madison, WI. The group combines the improv, writing and stand-up stylings of Ryan Kushner, Eli Wilz and Olivia Witt into sketches and videos that leave the carbonated taste of laughter on your lips.
Justin Brown – Rochester, NY
I was selected to perform here last year but could not afford to make the trip.. I have opened for shane gillis, dan soder, mike cannon, ian fidance, kevin farley, jim florentine, luis j gomez, and dave smith.
Jonny Loquasto – Orange County, CA
Jonny Loquasto grew up as an awkward fat kid, so telling jokes as an adult is very fitting. He also found a way to score a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. And speaking of physical therapy, Jonny recently released his first hour-long standup comedy special titled “Jonny Loquasto: Physical. Therapy.” that is now streaming on Roku, Tubi, Sling TV, and Xumo! Even though his comedy career has taken him all over the world, he has also achieved a lifelong dream of finding success with the microphone in professional wrestling as a play by play commentator, ring announcer, live event host, and interviewer. His work with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has included live, worldwide broadcasts, touring the country, and even standing in the center of the ring holding the microphone in front of 13,000 fans at the iconic Staples Center! Follow him on social media @JQuasto and also visit QuastoSpecial.com to see every viewing option for his comedy special!
Jon Torres – Chicago, IL
Jon Torres is a stand up comedian, podcaster and producer of Don’t Tell Comedy Chicago. His comedy has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, The Sun Times and WGN Chicago news. Jon’s act is observational in the way that he questions everything he sees to the point of whether or not people understand how trivial and upsetting their behaviors are to others. He has performed at all major Chicago clubs such as Zanies, The Laugh Factory and The Comedy bar and has previously worked with names such as Jesus Trejo, Ian Karmel, Shane Torres, and Liza Treyger
Abraham Tadesse – Seattle, WA
Abraham Tadesse is a Stand Up Comedian from Seattle, WA. He’s performed at The Seattle International Comedy Competition, Seattle Sketchfest, The Bumbershoot Festival, Intersections Festival, and HIGHlarious Comedy Festival. He’s also got a fear of cornfields.
Tucker Millett – Chicago, IL
Tucker Millett began performing stand-up comedy at the ripe age of 14. In over 10 years in comedy, Millett has performed at colleges, clubs, and bars throughout the country. On stage, he combines biting satire and unusual observations punctuated with a manic goofiness. His debut 2019 comedy album “Dancing on the Titanic” hit #6 on Apple Music Comedy Charts.
Darryl Charles – Baltimore, MD
Darryl has toured across the country and opened for a variety of amazing comics and legends like Adam Ferrara, Greg Fitzsimmons, Dave Attell, and the late greats Patrice O’Neal and Dick Gregory. He’s also an experienced improviser, and has been a member of ComedySportz Philadelphia since 2011, where he teaches and coaches. He is a sketch comedy writer and performer, doing most of that work with the sketch group The Layoff Kids, who have been featured on Funny or Die. He’s been seen on The Travel Channel, ComedyCentral.com, and commercials for Houwser and Tushy. He’s also the co-host of DTF: The Darryl and Timaree Funhour, the best sex-ed/comedy/gameshow in the known universe. In addition to more of the above, Darryl’s is in the early stages of crafting a second album, rounding out more sketches and scripts, keeping his hands clean, and making sure people don’t breathe on him.
Darrell Cochran – Milwaukee, WI
After being told most of his life by family and friends that he should be a comedian, Darrell finally took the leap and signed his name last-minute at the first open mic he ever attended. Now the 29-year-old Milwaukee native entertains crowds with his perspective of the world as a mixed single guy. Darrell has made appearances at comedy shows and events all around Milwaukee, Madison and other surrounding areas.
Ashley Leisten – Chicago, IL
Ashley Leisten is a comic and musician living in Chicago. She’s a performer with the Second City and Annoyance Theatre and a co-producer of Holy Fuck Comedy Hour. Her unhinged musical comedy and unlikely characters have been featured at venues across Chicago and festivals such as Austin Sketch Fest, Bentwood Comedy Festival, Out of Bounds Comedy Festival, Mary Scruggs Works by Women Festival and more! She’s known for composing her own music and bringing lightning-fast energy to the stage. Ashley takes life’s mundane happenings and strange passing thoughts and turns them into larger than life performances.
Piers Moreton – New York City
Born in England but raised in America. He has been lucky enough, to perform at major clubs all over the country, as well as headlining a Showcase at Laughfest, making it to The World Series of Comedy Finals in Las Vegas, and performing at the greatest GD festival of all the festivals in festival land The Milwaukee Comedy Festival, New York Comedy Festival, Asheville Comedy Festival, Caroline’s March Madness, to name a few. He can be seen performing weekly at The Stand in New York, among other clubs, Brooklyn basements, Bronx rooftops, desolate parks much to the horror of surprised tourists, and beyond.
Carly Malison – Milwaukee, WI
Carly Malison’s comedy tackles the tough issue in today’s world. Not afraid of “going there” is her style; from her embarrassing stories and takes on everyday life she has been called a “force to reckoned with.” Carly’s comedy will leave you thinking, “Thank God that’s never happened to me.” Carly has earned a few credits for herself. Along with featuring and emceeing all around Milwaukee and Illinois she has opened for the likes of Steve-O (Jackass), Jordan Carlos, Dave Stone, and Steve Bryne. Carly has also performed in the Gilda Radner’s Laughfest, The North Carolina Comedy Festival. She is regularly featured at the Milwaukee Improv and The Laughing Tap.
Sean Conway – Perth, Australia
Perth local, born-and-raised, Sean has been performing to huge audiences across the nation and the globe over the last decade. Sean’s humor is unique yet highly relatable, he has impressed bookers around the world and appeared as a support act for comedy legends such as Steve-O, Tom Green, Theo Von and many more.
Mike Hover – Chicago, IL
Mike is a comedian based out of Chicago, IL. Ready for a fun roller-coaster of randomness? Mike’s comedy touches on topics such as marriage and time travel. Something for everyone. His clean comedy and energetic style has delighted audiences throughout the United States and internationally in casinos, festivals, and clubs.
Chris Trani – Chicago, IL
Chris Trani is a fantastic Chicago comic and the Producer of The House of Blues stand up comedy show on Thursday nights in Chicago. He’s also a regular at The Comedy Bar, Laugh Factory, Zanies, & Funny Bone. Chris has shared the stage with Roy Wood Jr. (The Daily Show), Dov Davidoff (HBO’s CRASHING), and Pat McGann (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert). Chris integrates all forms of comedy into his act: stand-up, storytelling, crowd work, one-liners; and if need be, can do it all in Spanish (kinda)!
Lee H. Tillman – Portland, OR
Lee H Tillman is a comedian that started in Los Angeles and recently moved to Portland, OR and now he performs all over the Pacific Northwest.
Chris Schmidt – Milwaukee, WI
Do not let Chris Schmidt’s mild mannered charm fool you; beneath that polite facade beats the heart of a savage joke writer, as evidenced by his warped wordplay and twisted punchlines. The Milwaukee comic makes a strong impression with absurdly imaginative and meticulously crafted material that explores such topics as the benefits of being a pro-wrestling fan over the pandemic, how his teaching career was ruined by his inability to act as an authority figure, and the psychological consequences of growing up in a city known for serial killers.
Raegan Niemela – Milwaukee, WI
Raegan Niemela wandered out of Upper Michigan’s forests, a disgusting, feral child. Then some idiot gave her a microphone and here we are. You can catch her grunting at audiences throughout the Midwest. Though she is potty trained, she still bites — just ask the headliners she’s opened for, like Gareth Reynolds or Kyle Kinane.
Luke Null – Los Angeles, CA
Luke Null began performing comedy during his time at Ohio University in Athens, OH. After college, he moved to Chicago and cut his teeth at venues all over the city. He was a regular at the iO Theater, The Annoyance and The Shithole. After a year in New York as a cast member on SNL, Luke moved to LA and now performs standup comedy across the country. He released a live standup album entitled “Guitar Comic” in 2019 through 800 Pound Gorilla Records.
Mark Vegas – Milwaukee, WI
My comedy is talking about what I know, and seen in my tenure as a film student, us marine, and a young man looking to make people laugh the best way I can. Being a comedian is an opportunity to do my best, and if you, “know what I’m talking about”, then I’ll bet you’ll laugh with me. My comedy is never disrespectful, but I take full responsibility for a well placed “fuck”. My goal in comedy is to be better every single time I step on that stage, one word, one punchline, one minute at a time.
Alex Morris – Oshkosh, WI
Alex Morris is a Fox Valley comedian and in 4 short years has become one of the regulars in a surging comedy scene in the Fox Valley. When you see Alex on stage you’ll feel a wave of pure joy and satisfaction wash over you knowing that this is what you get when Daria and Fat Albert have a love child.
Alex Morris’s low energy and self deprecation has been compared to Steven Wright, inviting the audience to laugh at him as well as with him.
Elle Orlando – New York City
Hi I’m Elle Orlando, I’m a NY comic and men think I’m funny. I am originally from south Florida, but I grew up in the midwest so I am trash but I do apologize for it. My comedy depicts my odd dating history, growing up ugly, my views on feminism, and little bit of everything in-between. Some call me deadpan, others call me a silly goose. I hope you just call me. I am very lonely.
Eitan Levine – New York City
Eitan Levine is a comedian and writer from New York. He’s written for the New York Times, New York Magazine, Amazon, Paper Magazine and a bunch of other places! He’s been featured as a performer at the New South Comedy Festival, Motor City Comedy Fest, Baltimore Comedy Festival, the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, Comedy Mob Fest, New York Comedy Festival, Stand Up NY, Cleveland Comedy Fest (BEST OF FEST AND WINNER OF THE NATE COCKERILL PERFORMANCE AWARD), Cola Con, North Carolina Comedy Festival, Greenwich Village Comedy Club, Carolines, Broadway Comedy Club and others around New York city and across the country.
Logan Rishaw – Cleveland, OH
Logan Rishaw is a stand-up from Cleveland, Ohio. He has worked with many acts over the last seven years including Kevin Nealon, Rocky LaPorte, Ali Macofsky, and Brad Wenzel. Logan also co-hosts the podcast “What’s So Funny” a deep dive into the works and lives of classic comedians. In 2020, he released a book of short fiction titled “Albert Catmus: Essays and Fiction”.
Jerry Tran – Chicago, IL
Jerry Tran is a comedian based out of Chicago who has become a crowd favorite at clubs and shows around the country thanks to his meticulously crafted jokes and endearing stage presence. He has performed at numerous festivals such as the Cape Fear Comedy Festival in Wilmington, the Stand Up Showdown at the MI’s Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica, and the NBC Second City Break Out Comedy Festival. He was also recently named one of the Eight North American Asian Comedians To Watch Out For by Cold Tea Collective.
Evan Hull – Chicago, IL
Evan Hull was born and raised in Denver, Colorado as the middle child in a far too supportive Jewish family. Now living in Chicago, he performs on stages all over Chicago and the greater midwest with tales of vagrants kicking birds, misguided body dysmorphia, and other anecdotes told from the perspective of a “well adjusted” 25-year-old. Mothers and grandmothers love him.
Ross Childs – Chicago, IL
Ross Childs is a Chicago based musical comedian, actor and improviser. He has recently gained fame from his TikToks gaining over 350K+ followers with his most popular comedic videos gaining over 2.1M views. Ross has studied at the Annoyance, iO, and graduated from the Second City Conservatory. Originally from Houston, Ross has traveled the country performing at various comedy festivals and workshops and is excited to be a part of this one.
Olivia Carter – Chicago, IL
Olivia Carter is a Chicago comic who got her start in the cream city of Milwaukee, WI. There are some things Chicago just doesn’t have- The MKE Comedy Festival and Vanguard. She’s happy to make her triumphant return to the Milwaukee stages.
