Comedy Producers Search For Funny Women

This summer, comedy producers are searching for the New York metropolitan area's funniest women to take part in the Ladies of Laughter national comedy contest for cash prizes, comedy bookings and the 2018 Ladies of Laughter titles.

"Since it was first introduced into comedy clubs in 1999, the Ladies of Laughter series has awarded comedy bookings, major publicity and thousands of dollars to aspiring comediennes and has been a driving force behind women getting to the next level in their comedy careers," said Executive Producer, Peggy Boyce.

The events have led contestants to appearances in local and national media, including ABC-Television, Comedy Central, and FOX-TV and even to feature stories in the New York Times, with winners receiving major paid bookings at comedy clubs and theaters across America.

A percentage of proceeds from the events will benefit Buddy Cares - an animal rights advocacy group that provides wellness and services to abandoned animals in need.

The prizes include the Professional Winner receiving $10,000 in paid bookings with the Ladies of Laughter Funny & Fabulous National Tour at theaters with previous years' winners.

The 2018-19 national Ladies of Laughter Funny & Fabulous tour includes stops at the Goodwill Theatre (Johnson City, NY), Zeiders American Dream Theater (Virginia Beach, VA), Emelin Theatre (Mamaroneck, NY), The Grand Opera House (Oshkosh, WI), The Washington Center for the Performing Arts (Olympia, WA), Mount Baker Theatre (Bellingham, WA), TCAN (Natick, MA), with more bookings to be added.

Ladies of Laughter has separate categories for "Professionals" and "Newcomers". Each contestant will be judged on audience response, originality, material and delivery by a panel of entertainment industry judges. The top winner from each category at each event will advance to the Finale where they will perform before representatives from network television and major talent scouts.

Those interested in registering for Ladies of Laughter should go to www.ladiesoflaughter.org. Contestants must be eighteen years or older and must enter no later than July 13th to be considered for the 2018 competition but are encouraged to apply early.

The 2018 Ladies of Laughter Event Schedule:

Preliminary Events

Thurs. July 19th- 6:30pm-Gotham Comedy Club- Gotham Comedy Club-208 W. 23rd St.

New York City-212-367-9000. gothamcomedyclub.com

Thurs. July 26th 8:00pm-BergenPAC, 30 N. Brunt St., Englewood, NJ (201) 227-1030 bergenpac.org

Wed. Aug. 8th 7:30pm-Stand Up NY, 236 W. 78th St., New York City-212-595-0850. Standupny.com

2018 LADIES OF LAUGHTER FINALS:

Monday, Aug. 15th-7:30pm-Gotham Comedy Club-208 W. 23rd. St. New York, 212-367-9000. www.gothamcomedyclub.com

Tickets for Stand Up NY event on Aug. 8th can be purchased by going to: http://www.ladiesoflaughter.org/standup-ny-ticket/standup-ny-august-8th-2018-730pm

For more information on Ladies of Laughter, go to www.ladiesoflaughter.org.