John McCombs was born in Pennsylvania and moved to the suburbs of Chicago at a young age. He attended the University of Illinois on an ROTC scholarship and served in the Marine Corps for four years, stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During his service, he deployed twice — once to Spain during airstrikes in Libya against ISIS, and once to Romania as part of the Black Sea Rotational Force amid tensions with Russia and Ukraine.
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After leaving the Marines, John returned briefly to Joliet before settling in Chicago, where he pursued his passion for stand-up comedy. He began performing at open mics in Champaign, Illinois, continuing during his military service and later in Chicago. John immersed himself in the local comedy scene, organizing a comedy tour across Europe and recording specials in unique locations like Estonia.
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His career highlights include running a comedy show at the Den Theatre in Chicago, organizing international tours, and achieving 52 shows across 20 countries. John is known for his willingness to perform in diverse cultural settings, reflecting on his experiences in non-English-speaking countries like Estonia and Moldova. He aims to record comedy specials worldwide, with a unique goal of performing in Antarctica, blending his military background with a global comedy presence. John McCombs is also involved in producing comedy events and hosts the podcast "Smart Comics" and sketch series "Black Dude Therapy."

Jason Stuart is a comedian whose career reflects his diverse background and experiences. Born in the Bronx, he moved to Los Angeles at a young age, growing up in the Fairfax area amidst a culturally rich community. His upbringing included speaking Yiddish with his grandmother, a Russian concentration camp survivor, and being influenced by his father, a Holocaust survivor, and his Brooklyn-born mother.
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Stuart's comedy journey began with formative experiences at venues like Peanuts on Santa Monica Boulevard in 1996, where he performed alongside transgender actress Jasmine. His comedic style, shaped by his childhood and experiences at Fairfax High School, often explores themes of Jewish identity and navigating diversity. He gained early recognition in comedy with appearances on "Star Search" and "The Merv Griffin Show," but it was his pivotal coming out on the "Montel Williams Show" in 1993 that solidified his status as a pioneering openly gay comedian. Stuart has since navigated challenges in the entertainment industry, advocating for LGBTQ+ representation and overcoming discrimination based on his sexual orientation.
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Transitioning into acting, Stuart appeared in notable roles such as in "Kindergarten Cop" and portrayed a recurring gay character on "My Wife and Kids." He continues to perform stand-up regularly, adapting to industry changes and embracing new platforms like social media to engage with audiences and promote inclusivity in entertainment. His career reflects a commitment to challenging norms and promoting diversity in comedy and acting.

Dr. Bill Miller, a seasoned doctor and comedian, was born in New York and moved to Los Angeles at ten. Influenced by comedians on the Ed Sullivan Show, he pursued both medicine and comedy. He attended medical school at Northwestern and worked in emergency rooms while performing at comedy clubs. Despite his parents' initial skepticism, they eventually supported his dual career. Dr. Miller’s first taste of stand-up comedy came during a Christmas vacation before medical school, performing at the Comedy Store in LA. Hooked after his first performance, he continued stand-up while attending medical school, performing at Chicago's comedy clubs. After medical school, he balanced his medical career with comedy, working flexible shifts in emergency rooms to tour and perform.
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Miller’s comedy writing process evolved from jotting down spontaneous ideas to a more disciplined approach, often drawing inspiration from life experiences. Despite initial disapproval from his Holocaust-survivor parents, they came to appreciate his dedication to both fields. His father, who ran a women's coat factory in Glendale, eventually expressed pride in Miller's achievements. When Miller had children, he reduced touring to avoid being an absentee father, focusing on local gigs and his family. He later moved to Chicago, starting a training program and raising his family there. Miller was grandfathered into board certification for emergency medicine, later transitioning to anesthesia due to burnout.
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Throughout his career, Miller balanced his passions, performing locally and exploring creative avenues like producing short films. As his children grew older, he returned to comedy, performing at clubs like Zanies. Today, he blends his medical expertise with humor through "Dr. Bill's Traveling Medicine Show," bringing laughter to hospitals and medical conventions. Despite challenges like anti-Semitism and political correctness, Dr. Miller remains committed to his craft, emphasizing the therapeutic benefits of laughter.

Derek Richards is a seasoned comedian known for his dynamic performances and unique comedic style. Hailing from Detroit, Derek has been a devoted fan of the Detroit Lions, experiencing the emotional highs and lows that come with it. He began his stand-up career in 1993 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, after a stint in radio, finding early success performing at a friend’s bar.
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In 2005, Derek launched The Irish Comedy Tour, which has since become a beloved blend of comedy, drinking, and camaraderie. The tour features four comedians, including a guitarist from Dublin and a classically trained fiddle player in a leprechaun outfit, creating an authentic Irish pub atmosphere that has captivated audiences for nearly two decades. The tour's journey is documented in "One for the Road," available on YouTube.
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Richards thrives on the camaraderie and innovative spirit within his group, drawing comparisons to established comedy tours like the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and the Kings of Comedy. His inclusive comedy is relatable to all ethnicities, and he leverages platforms like YouTube and Amazon to reach a broader audience. Beyond The Irish Comedy Tour, Derek is involved in the comedy show "Normal World" on Blaze TV, appreciating the high-quality production and positive feedback from audiences.

Frankie Marcos, born and raised in San Jose, California, witnessed the city's transformation from a culturally vibrant area to a tech-driven Silicon Valley. Starting his comedy career at 22, inspired by being voted "most funny" in school, Frankie's first stand-up attempt at a San Francisco bar was a disaster. However, encouragement from friends like Rodney, a world-ranked chef, pushed him to persist.
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Despite a tough beginning with many unsuccessful attempts, Frankie gradually improved, performing initially at small venues once a month before expanding to various spots in San Francisco and Oakland. Supported by his actress mother and humorous mailman father, he developed a unique style, blending act-outs with well-crafted jokes. Now performing internationally, Frankie handles bad nights in comedy by immediately doing another set to bounce back.
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Frankie navigates cultural differences while performing in Australia and the UK, learning to adapt his material and improve his crowd work and riffing skills. He appreciates the cultural richness and diversity in the US, particularly in California, where he can travel short distances and encounter vastly different environments.

Delanie Ficsher, who grew up near Encino's Trader Joe's and attended Bethel Lutheran Elementary School, reminisces about her early comedic roots and shared local landmarks, such as the LA Cabaret on Ventura Boulevard. Her journey into comedy began at UC Santa Barbara, performing at a student-run show called Laughology. Initially hesitant, Delanie' s unexpected venture into theater and comedy, spurred by a supportive friend, led her to perform a memorable five-minute set in front of 200 peers.
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After diving into the LA comedy scene post-graduation, Delanie faced an internal conflict between her love for stand-up and its impact on her mental health. A pivotal moment at a comedy festival and an empty feeling after a successful set at the Laugh Factory led her to reassess her path. She decided to step away from full-time stand-up, focusing on other opportunities that aligned better with her well-being.
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Delanie transitioned into podcasting and launched "Self-Helpless" with friends, integrating comedy into a lifestyle she loves. Her novelty business, "Dicks by Delanie" which started as custom penis caricatures on mugs, became unexpectedly successful, allowing her to leave her corporate job. This success paved the way for consultancy, helping comedians and entrepreneurs with branding and marketing. Delanie balances her podcast, comedy writing for a nonprofit, and working on a comedy-themed Oracle deck. She emphasizes the personalized support of consultancy and continuously pivots her career towards fulfilling endeavors.

Eric's journey into comedy began during a family cruise talent show, inspired by an illegal internship at a radio station where he honed his comedic skills. Encouraged by his swim team peers, Eric transitioned from DJing at school events to stand-up comedy. His material often blends Jewish and Mexican cultural elements, reflecting the inherent humor he finds in these intersections.
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Eric is a firm believer in creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. He initiated comedy shows at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he started his comedy career. This proactive approach continued as he entered the "Funniest Person in the Valley" contest, which opened doors in radio and led to more comedy spots. Performing at the Chocolate Sundays show in LA was a significant career boost, resulting in TV appearances and increased visibility.
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Touring with a comedian involves close companionship, much like high school friendships, leading to unique bonds. Eric enjoyed traveling to countries like Australia, Dubai, and Canada, and despite the typical challenges of touring, he maintained strong friendships with team members. Currently, Eric is active on social media, posting daily content and directing comedy specials. He voices a character on the animated show "Hell of a Boss," relaunches his podcast, and creates new content with his girlfriend. He emphasizes consistent content creation and natural brand integration. Eric is also gearing up for his first headlining show in Spanish on July 31st, a significant personal goal and tribute to his stepdad. Reflecting on his career, Eric admires the consistent vibe he brings to his work and the challenges of editing his material. He remains determined to innovate in entertainment and make a unique impact, promoting his website and Instagram for more information.

Felicia Madison had a childhood dream of becoming a Broadway dancer. Her parents had other plans, which is why she was pre-med in college! Felicia graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in the biological basis of behavior and a minor in marketing. (She jokes that she's only qualified to sell drugs!) Felicia is the Director of New Talent and Development at West Side Comedy Club in New York City where she books all shows and runs club. Felicia curates’ comedians for her new talent shows and helps to develop and nurture young talent through her daytime mic program, workshops, and seminars at West Side Comedy Club. Founder of F Comedy Club offering classes, open mics and produces new talent shows for up-and-coming comics.
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Felicia is the founder of Laughing Affairs which produces a daytime lunch show, “Laugher Cise - Come Laugh Your Ass Off,” Comedy for a Cause, and private events for corporations and individuals. Funny Business, a Panel Discussion created and moderated by Felicia, provides a forum for female comedians to hear from female executives in the comedy world. Her first event at the Friars Club was a huge success and due to popular demand, she is planning to produce a few panels a year.
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Felicia performs on stages throughout NYC. In addition to live appearances, you can tune in weekly to her podcast "MT Nesters.” Felicia is also working on a pilot about her life in the comedy world and revamping her one-woman show “The Miserable Mrs. Madison.” She performed her one woman show “The Miserable Mrs. Madison at the New York Fringe Festival.