The Milwaukee Comedy Challenge! It’s not a competition, it’s not a contest – it’s … the Milwaukee Comedy Challenge!
A friendly battle of wits with over $2000 in Cash Prizes, more than 2.5 hours of Paid Gigs awarded, and the chance to challenge yourself to be the best comic you can be.
This isn’t about competing with your fellow comics, it’s about challenging yourself to write great material, get bigger laughs, and become a better comic.
To Qualify:
1. You must be a Wisconsin based comic
2. You must regularly attend open mics in town (at least 1/ week) AND/ OR regularly on paid gigs or produce local shows (At least average of 1/ month)
3. You must be available all Rounds of the Challenge
Fill out THIS Simple Submission Form and include a minimum 3 minute clip of you performing in front of an audience.
The Audience Favorite & Judges Favorite each week of the challenge will be rewarded a Cash Prize & Paid Spot on a future professional show!
ROUND 1 – Wed., July 15th & Thurs July 16th 7pm
The challenge will start with 40 comics each performing 3 minutes of original material in a live on stage event at The Laughing Tap Wednesday, July 15th OR Thursday July 16th (20 comics each night). 10 comics will go on to the next round from each night.
ROUND 2 – Wed. July 22 7pm
20 Comics will perform 4 minutes each. Must different material from the previous round! 10 comics will go to the next round and be given a writing topic for the next week in the challenge.
ROUND 3 – July 29 7pm
The 10 comics that passed the previous two rounds will each perform 5 minutes of original material AND a second round performing 5 minutes with jokes written based on the previous weeks assigned topic. All jokes must be different material from all the previous rounds of the Challenge. A writing topic will be announced for the next weeks round.
ROUND 4 – Wed. Aug 5 7pm
5 comics that made it through Round 3 will each perform 7 minutes of their own material and then 5 minutes of material written based on the previous weeks announced topic. All jokes must be different material from all the previous rounds of the Challenge. A writing topic will be announced for the next weeks round.
ROUND 5 – Wed. Aug 12 7pm
The top 3 comics will battle for a spot in the final round, each getting 10 minutes of original material and up to 10 minutes based on the topic given from the last week. All jokes must be different material from all the previous rounds of the Challenge.
FINALS – Friday, August 14th 7:30pm
The final comics remaining will each perform 20 minutes of original material, with no jokes or material presented previously in the Challenge. The runner-up will be rewarded a Paid Weekend Feature Spot on a future Laughing Tap show and $300. The winner will be rewarded a one night Paid Headliner show at The Laughing Tap, a spot in the 2026 Milwaukee Comedy Festival, and $1000.