38th Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition Semi-Finals Set for BPA

Be among the first to learn who this year's finalists will be in America's biggest touring comedy festival - one night only at BPA. The 38th Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition starts November 2 and continues nightly at venues throughout the region until a winner is crowned on Sunday, November 26, at the Comedy Underground in Seattle.

It's America's biggest touring comedy festival: 25 days - 20 shows - a host of regional venues - 32 comedians - over $15,000 in cash and prizes - and talent executives from CBS, NBC, and more, with movie studios, managers, agents and producers in attendance. There are two "preliminary" rounds of 16 comedians; each comedian gets 5 minutes to impress. Each preliminary round consists of five shows, and a combination of entertainment industry and celebrity judges and audience reaction determines who moves on when all the scores are tallied. The top five comics from the two preliminary rounds make the semi-finals; all the semi-finalists win some cash, and get to compete for the title by performing for ten minutes nightly for five shows.

At the last semi-final show at Bainbridge Performing Arts, the finalists will be announced. Five comedians will get to go big, and five will get to go home. After two days to recover and plan, the final round begins on Tuesday November 21. After final-round visits to the Washington Athletic Club and theaters in Vashon, Kirkland and Bremerton, a new champion will be announced after the last show at the Comedy Underground. Track the nightly results at www.facebook.com/seattlecomedycompetition, and learn more online at www.seattlecomedycompetition.org.

Join us for the semi-finals! The 38th Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition appears at BPA one night only on Saturday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $30 per person, may be purchased online at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, by phone at 206.842.8569 or in person at BPA, 200 Madison Avenue North, Bainbridge Island. BPA Box Office hours are 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and one hour prior to each performance. The performance is not suitable for children.

BPA is supported, in part, by Bainbridge Community Foundation and One Call for All. Bainbridge Performing Arts is pleased to offer an "Open Doors" program. Free and reduced-cost tickets to most events are available to community members in need through our partner Helpline House thanks to grants from BCF, the Mabee Family Foundation, and the Alder Fund at the Bainbridge Community Foundation. Please contact the BPA Box Office at 206.842.8569 or Helpline House to reserve tickets today.

Find out more about BPA at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, or check us out on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BPAonline and www.facebook.com/BainbridgeSymphonyOrchestra), follow Bainbridge Performing Arts on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/bainbridge-performing-arts) and Twitter (@BPAPresents). Check online for the latest on theatre and symphony auditions, complete theatre school and adult class offerings, performance listings, tickets, promos, and more. Go to "About BPA" and click on "Get Our Newsletter" to receive electronic performance announcements and behind-the-scenes news.