The Grand Forks performing arts community has a newly formed Comedy Collective. This collective was recently formed and has been making strides to grow the performance comedy community in Grand Forks. They have a wide variety of performances lined up both on and off campus that appeal to university students and community members.
Roberto Kerezsi, an active member of the collective, shared, “We, as a collective, are forming a community of area comics to help everyone grow as a comic, and to get shows booked.”
Their goal is to strengthen the comedy and performing arts community in town through supporting one another and working together to host events. They have already accomplished many achievements that have moved them further toward this goal.
The Grand Forks Comedy Collective holds weekly open mic nights on Thursdays at the Board Room on the University of North Dakota campus. There are ones for stand-up comedy, as well as ones for artists in general. They alternate the kind of open mic each week. Along with this, they also hold monthly open mic nights at The TapRoom located in downtown Grand Forks.
On these open mic nights, performers are encouraged to share their craft with an eager audience. Performers range from members of the collective as well as anyone else who wants to share their work.
Kerezki also stated, “We hope to bring in a new breath of all types of comedy and give comedians a bigger platform in this town. And it all starts with our Open Mics!” Emphasizing the importance of events like open mic nights, and how they can contribute to the growth of performance communities.
Their first formal show, “Roberto Kerry Goes Rogue” was held at The TapRoom on Aug. 22. This performance was a mix of improvisation comedy and Mixed Martial Arts. If the audience didn’t like the comedy, the performers would have to brawl it out. It is the unique events like this that the collective hopes will bring in new audiences as they take a fresh look at traditional comedy.
The Grand Forks Comedy Collectives next open mic nights at the Board Room will take place on Oct. 23 and Nov. 6 and are open to all members of the Grand Forks and UND community. Along with this, their next open mic night at The TapRoom is scheduled for Nov. 18.
If you are interested in getting involved or want to see what this community is up to, the collective can be found on Facebook and Instagram at GF Comedy Collective.
Nora Lee is a Dakota Student Section Editor. She can be reached at [email protected].
