Celebration of Black Comedy
An exciting array of comedy productions created by and featuring Pittsburgh artists
Comedy shows and workshops
Arcade Comedy Theater is celebrating Black History Month with its mission statement in mind: inspiring joy and nurturing community-building by connecting artists and audiences with the dynamic artform of comedy. Starting February 11 and spanning the entire month, Arcade will be centering and amplifying Black voices in comedy through stand-up comedy, improv, storytelling and variety shows.
Arcade Academy will also be presenting three comedy workshops this month being offered for free to all BIPOC performers in the Pittsburgh area. Two are introductory workshops for stand-up and improv, and then the third is an advanced improv workshop.
Meet the producers:
Arcade Comedy Theater’s Celebration of Black Comedy shows are co-produced alongside local artists Nia Johnson, Tyler Ray Kendrick, Learnmore Jonasi, and Don Arner.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- Ticket prices vary for each show between $15-18, college students can get tickets for $5 off
- Shows appropriate for ages 16 & up
- All shows BYOB for guests 21+
- Runtime approx 75 minutes per show
Shows!
BIPOCALYPSE: Improv Show
Saturday, Feb 11 at 8:00PM
A short-form improv comedy show presented by performers from the Global Majority. Arcade is excited to present this popular improv showcase featuring a lineup of performers from around the city. Produced by Nia Johnson.
Tickets $15 / $10 for college students
BYOB for guests 21+
Far from the Village: Learnmore Jonasi
Saturday, Feb 18 at 7:30PM
A special headliner event! International comedian Learnmore Jonasi brings his brand new stand-up special “Far from the Village” to the Arcade upstairs stage for two performances.
Learnmore is a Zimbabwean stand-up comedian, actor and MC. He is also known as “The Village Boy” and has won the 2019 National Arts Merit Awards as the Outstanding Comedian of the Year and the 2019 Savanna Comic Choice Awards as the Pan African Comic of the Year. He was people’s choice award winner in Steve Harvey’s Stand Up Spotlight competition in 2019. In 2020 he won the National Arts Merit Awards as the Outstanding Comedian of the Year.
Tickets $18 / $13 for college students
BYOB for guests 21+
Far from the Village: Learnmore Jonasi
Saturday, Feb 18 at 9:30PM
Learnmore Jonasi is performing twice on Saturday, February 18th. Can’t make the 7:30? Then head downtown for a special late show performance!
Tickets $18 / $13 for college students
BYOB for guests 21+
The Comedy Roast of Tyler Perry
Saturday, Feb 25 at 8:00PM
He’s a groundbreaking filmmaker, actor, and advocate. He also makes soap operas and pretends to be a grandma. Now,he’s about to get roasted. Producer, comedian and host Tyler Ray Kendrick presents “The Comedy Roast of Tyler Perry” featuring comedians Nia Johnson, Deric Brown, Don Arner, Jus Janell, Brittany Alexis, and Dave Stewart.
Tickets $15 / $10 for college students
BYOB for guests 21+
What's White and Black and Funny All Over?
Saturday, March 4 at 7:30PM
Pittsburgh comedian Don Arner hosts a special stand-up comedy showcase! Part of a stand-up doubleheader with Level Up Stand-Up following at 9:30pm.
Tickets $15 / $10 for college students
BYOB for guests 21+
Workshops
Details about our upcoming comedy workshops will be available soon.
BIPOC Stand-Up Workshop
Saturday, Feb 18 2:30-4:30PM
Ever considered trying stand up comedy? This two-hour stand-up workshop will introduce the basics of the form and give you the chance to get on the mic. No experience is necessary, and comics with more experience are also welcome to join the class to get fresh eyes on their material and feedback from instructor Brittany Alexis.
This workshop is offered for FREE exclusively for BIPOC (Black, Indiginous, and People of Color) participants ages 18+ as part of Arcade Comedy Theater’s Black History Month celebration. No prior experience is necessary, but BIPOC comics of all levels are encouraged to join.
Space is limited, so registration is required!
BIPOC Improv Workshop: Stronger Scenework
Saturday, Feb 18 12:00-2:00PM
Instructor Tyler Ray Kendrick leads this free workshop for intermediate and advanced players. Connect with other BIPOC improvisors while working with Tyler to strengthen your scenework!
This workshop is offered for FREE exclusively for BIPOC (Black, Indiginous, and People of Color) participants ages 18+ as part of Arcade Comedy. Some improv experience is required! If you’re new to improv, check out our free Improv: Play and Connect workshop on February 25!
Space is limited, so registration is required!
BIPOC Improv Workshop: Play and Connect
Saturday, Feb 25 12:00-2:00PM
This all-levels improv workshop is an opportunity to try improvisation for the very first time, or for more experienced players to revisit basics and practice improvising in a welcoming and supportive environment. Instructor Montaja Simmons will lead you through fun exercises, games, and scenework practice to help you embrace the power of “yes and” with improv’s foundational principles of agreement, acceptance, collaboration, and support.
This workshop is offered for FREE exclusively for BIPOC (Black, Indiginous, and People of Color) participants ages 18+ as part of Arcade Comedy. No prior experience is necessary, but BIPOC improvisers of all levels are encouraged to join.
Space is limited, so registration is required!