High Plains Announces First Wave of Comics for 11th Year

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DENVER, CO: August 1, 2024—High Plains Comedy Festival has announced its first wave of featured comedians for 2024. This diverse lineup of high-profile national acts, new faces, and returning hometown favorites joins the already announced headliner Bob the Drag Queen, whose Paramount Theatre show will help close out the festival. Here is the first wave of featured High Plains performers:

Katherine Blanford

Rory Scovel

Laura Peek

Chris Estrada

Dina Hashem

Ian Karmel

Caitlin Cook

David Gborie

Jaye McBride

Josh Gondelman

Amy Miller

Jonah Ray

Colton Dowling

Brittany Carney

Jared Goldstein

Sam Tallent

Jasmine Ellis

Rob Haze

Kalea McNeill

Dylan Carlino

Sean Jordan

Kristen Toomey

Adam Cayton-Holland

Hayden Kristal

Ben Roy

Andrew Orvedahl

Salma Zaky

Django Gold

Kunal Arora

MANDAL

Alec Flynn

Derek Sheen

Julia Corral

Derrick C. Brown

Mike Carrozza

Mike Bridenstine

Kate Strobel

Dauood Naimyar

Alex Price

Adam Pasi

Spencer Bland

Chris Charpentier

Troy Walker

Jordan Doll

Brent Gill

Nathan Lund

BK Sharad

Notable names among the lineup include Chris Estrada, whose Hulu show This Fool has earned critical and fan accolades; Katherine Blanford, a Kentucky-born comedian with a “Golden Retriever” presence that has quickly won over audiences; and perennial fest fave Rory Scovel who will soon be seen starring alongside Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell in the Amazon romantic comedy You’re Cordially Invited. Other returning fest favorites include Caitlin Cook, Rob Haze, and Jonah Ray, who are joined by first-time festers like Laura Peek, Jaye McBride and Josh Gondelman. Repeat performers Ian Karmel, David Gborie, and Sean Jordan are also slated to host a live episode of their much-loved All Fantasy Everything podcast at the Festival.

Hometown faves Adam Cayton-Holland (Founder & Executive Director of the Festival), Andrew Orvedahl, and Ben Roy—who collectively make up The Grawlix comedy trio—will return to the High Plains stage. They’ll be joined by former Denverites Sam Tallent, Salma Zaky, Alec Flynn, Kate Strobel, Chris Charpentier, Troy Walker, Jordan Doll, Brent Gill, Nathan Lund and BK Sharad, the first group of “ex-pats” featured at the festival this year.

The 11th Annual High Plains Comedy Festival is sponsored by Illegal Pete’s, Fat Tire, Liquid Death, and a variety of other local, like-minded businesses. The Festival runs September 19th through 21st at multiple venues on South Broadway, with the headlining show taking place at Paramount Theatre. A very limited number of full Fest passes are still available. The final wave of comedians, full schedule, and individual ticket sales will be announced later in August and in early September.

High Plains Comedy Festival is held each fall in Denver, Colorado with title sponsor Illegal Pete’s and premier sponsors Fat Tire & Liquid Death. Founded in 2013 by Denver comedian/writer Adam Cayton-Holland, the Festival features a mix of local and national comics in venues throughout the city—with a special emphasis on the historic Baker neighborhood surrounding South Broadway. High Plains has quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talent-packed and fun-filled festivals in the country