Everyone should have access to the performing arts in their own community. Our mission is to provide residents of the DFW Metroplex with opportunities to experience the performing arts through comedy classes and performances hosted in their own communities. Our programming is designed to develop and elevate local talent with support for performers of all levels, beginner to professional.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Our organization funds and facilitates free comedy workshops and classes around the DFW Metroplex. These educational programs give students an introduction to basic comedy performance and writing techniques. All of TCF’s community educational programming includes carefully selected lessons that focus on skills that will help students of all ages outside of the classroom, e.g. active listening and pattern recognition. The ultimate goal of TCF’s community education programming is to foster a lifelong love (or at least appreciation) of the performing arts for all participants.
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Certain modalities of comedy performance require extensive training. Training programs can provide comedians with intensive courses of technical training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to further their careers. We want to make sure that tuition fees are not a barrier to entry for promising students. Scholarship applicants are evaluated based on merit, financial need, and diversity. Priority is given to applicants who demonstrate a unique point of view that is not well represented in their chosen performance modality.
FESTIVALS
Festivals are TCF’s main fundraising activity. Festival events raise funds for TCF programming through sponsorships, ticket sales, workshop tuition, merchandise sales, and submission fees. Festivals support TCF’s mission by providing professional opportunities to local performers.
Community Building
Festivals attract performers from across the country (and the world!). Comedy festivals facilitate the exchange of ideas between artists working in different cities. TCF festivals prioritize booking a balance of local and visiting performers to maximize the educational benefit for Texan performers. By participating in festival workshops and shows, local performers can learn new performance techniques and perspectives to apply to their own work. By removing the barrier of having to travel to festivals, we can provide our local performers world-class workshops and training to strengthen the comedy industry in North Texas.
Professional Networking & Industry Events
DFW is now home to a level of talent that rivals major entertainment hubs, yet the industry remains concentrated in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Comedy festivals attract representatives from the largest employers in the entertainment industry through showcases and networking events. Through festival events, TCF works to connect Texan performers with agents, managers, and talent bookers. By providing these networking opportunities in North Texas we can reduce the number of talented performers moving elsewhere to pursue a career.
Texas Comedy Festival is a women-ran 501(c)3 non-profit providing underserved communities with access to education in the performing arts.