My First Sketch

This week, Josh talks to Lou Huang (@septar_sketch) about Asians in comedy, pandemic comedy, and wishing we were theater kids. Septar is performing March Radness at Plays and Players on Thursday, March 12, with Gooses featuring and on Friday, March 13, with Hot Winter Bods. Both shows are at 730 and are pay what you want. Then, Septar is heading to DC Sketchfest, performing Saturday, March 28, at 1035 along with Cam Wyllie and DC Raclette Club. Follow Septar on Instagram at @septar_sketch. Also, here in Philly, we have Philly Sketchfest Presents on Friday, March 20, at Plays and Players with Burnt Toast from New York City and Mother’s Pouch from Washington DC. That show is at 730. There is another show after that at 9, but honestly we haven’t decided what the name of it will be. But if you buy a ticket to the 730 show, you get into the 9pm show for free.

This week, Josh talks to Caitlin Bitzegaio (@caitorade) about writing for tv, directing Assssketch, and teaching sketch comedy. Assssketch is headed to SF Sketchfest this weekend to perform at the Great Star Theater on Saturday, January 24, with a 1pm matinee start. Then, Assssketch returns to its home base at UCB in New York on Saturday, January 31 at 7pm featuring special guest Jaygee Macapugay. You can follow Assssketch on Instagram at @assssketchnyc and follow Caitlin at @caitorade. Here in Philly, we have two shows on Friday, January 23. First at 730, Philly Sketchfest Presents Bad Medicine and Public Domain. It’s Bad Medicine’s first time back in Philly in almost 18 months, so come hang out with one of our favorite sketch teams. Then at 9, it’s Theme Park: The Games. If you buy tickets to the first show, you can get into the second show for free! Tickets at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com.

This week, Josh talks to Michael Silver (Comedy Dance Chicago) about Chip Tolentino, engineering brain, and the letter T. You can follow Comedy Dance Chicago at @comedydancechicago. Comedy Dance Chicago is performing at Sketchfest Chicago along with Big Apartment from New York City on November 7 in the 9pm block. Here in Philly, we have a live My First Sketch, tonight, November 6 at Sawubona at 730 with Tristan Wolfe from InAction Network. It’s a free show. Come hang out. On Friday, November 7 two shows at Plays and Players: at 730, Jonathan Cohall and Tom Hannigan, and then at 9, Motel Party. Tickets are available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com.

This week, Josh talks to Anna Weatherwax (@x_happy2bhere_x) about improv in Sarasota, Rizzo with braces, and moving to Chicago. Happy 2 B Here will be performing at Sketchfest Chicago on Thursday, November 6, in the 9pm block along with Chaps from Washington DC and Sara Jo Geiger from Seattle. You can follow Happy 2 B Here on Instagram at @x_happy2bhere_x. 

This week, Josh talks to Emily Collins live and in person about recreating tv sketches, stage crew, and the start of Motel Party. Follow Motel Party on Instagram at @motelpartysketch. Motel Party is performing their Halloween show, Sketch or Treat on Saturday, October 18, with two shows at 7 and 9 at Sawubona Creativity Project. Tickets are available on Eventbrite. And Philly Sketchfest Presents Tales from the Crumb by Uncle Crumbum is also happening on Saturday, October 18, with two shows at 7 and 830 at the MacGuffin Stage in the Adrienne Theater. Tickets available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com. Go to both.

This week, Josh talks to Sabrina Lichtenstein about old Britcoms, improv in Orlando, and not listening to the audience. Avery and Sabrina are doing Denver Sketch Festival along with Denver’s Co-Depen-dunce on Friday, October 10, in the 7pm block. Avery and Sabrina are also heading to NYC Sketchfest next weekend, Saturday, October 18, in the 7:30 block at the PIT Loft. Follow Avery and Sabrina on Instagram at @avery_sabrina_sketch. This week, here in Philly, on Thursday, October 9, and Saturday, October 11, we’ll be recording two live episodes of My First Sketch with some of the rising sketch comedians here in Philly. Those live episodes will be at Sawubona, BYOB, and free to come hang out. Then, on October 18, Philly Sketchfest Presents Uncle Crumbum’s Tales from the Crumb at the MacGuffin Stage in the Adrienne with two shows at 7 and 830pm. Check out phillysketchfest.com/calendar for more details and ticket links.

This week, Josh talks to Kyle Romero about high school drama competitions, college theater degrees, and adult improv classes. Kyle will be performing Kyle Romero is Your Dad at Denver Sketch Festival on Friday, October 10 in the 10pm block along with Summer Dad from Toronto. Get your tickets and all the rest of the info at risecomedy.com. You can follow Kyle on Instagram at @itskyleromero. This week, here in Philly, on Thursday, October 9, and Saturday, October 11, we’ll be recording two live episodes of My First Sketch with some of the rising sketch comedians here in Philly. Those live episodes will be at Sawubona, BYOB, and free to come hang out. Then, on October 18, Philly Sketchfest Presents Uncle Crumbum’s Tales from the Crumb at the MacGuffin Stage in the Adrienne with two shows at 7 and 830pm. Check out phillysketchfest.com/calendar for more details and ticket links.

This week, Josh talks to Connor Schuck (Big Ol Mess) about Delaware, Eat Your Beats, and comedy in Denver. If you’re in Denver, head to Denver Sketch Festival October 9-11. You can see Big Ol Mess perform in the last show of the festival along with Ghost Girl from New York on October 11 at 10pm. risecomedy.com for all the info. Follow Big Ol Mess on Instagram at @bigolmesscomedy. If you’re in Philly, on Thursday, October 9, and Saturday, October 11, we’ll be recording two live episodes of My First Sketch with some of the rising sketch comedians here in Philly. Those live episodes will be at Sawubona, and free to come hang out.

This week, Josh talks to Irem Boz about Kablam, the Onion, and the creation of Septar. Septar is performing here in Philly on Friday, October 3 with their new show, Are We Having Fund Yet? Two shows at the Skinner Studio at Plays and Players. 7pm and 9pm. You can find those tickets at Eventbrite. And then, they’re heading to Denver and performing at Denver Sketch Festival with Cam Wyllie, on Friday, October 10.  Follow Septar on Instagram at @septar_sketch. come to our sketch comedy open mic, Sketchubator, at Sawubona on October 2 at 730, and then two live My First Sketch podcast records on October 9 and 11. Then, on October 18, Philly Sketchfest Presents Uncle Crumbum at the MacGuffin Stage in the Adrienne with two shows. Check out phillysketchfest.com/calendar for more details and ticket links.

This week, Josh talks to Dan Burger (@the_dan_burger) about 7th Heaven (which Josh misheard as Seth and Tevin), starting over in Colorado, joining Big Ol Mess, and starting over in Los Angeles. Dan will be performing with Big Ol Mess at Denver Sketch Fest on Saturday, October 11 at 10pm along with Ghost Girl, from New York. Head to risecomedy.com for tickets and more information. Follow Big Ol Mess on Instagram at @bigolmesscomedy.

This week, Josh talks to Maureen McQuilkin about The Brendan Leonard Show, a monkey conductor, and being a part of the first new sketch team in Philly after the pandemic. Septar is heading to Sketchfest Seattle on Saturday, September 13 in the 7pm block along with Brandy Alexander. sketchfest.org for more details on that. When they return to Philly, they’ll be putting up their new show, Are We Having Fund Yet? at Plays and Players Theater on October 3 with two shows at 7pm and 9pm. Follow Septar on Instagram at @septar_sketch.

This week, Josh talks to Chrissy Bisbee (Soy Pony) about scarecrows, setting a deadline, and acting for the screen. You can follow Soy Pony on Instagram at @soy_pony_sketch. Soy Pony is now performing at Philly Sketchfest on Saturday, June 14 in the 7pm block along with Jazz Baby, Live! Tickets are available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com. There are still 8 live shows this weekend. Buy the night pass to see all of Friday and Saturday’s shows. A weekend pass for all three nights of next weekend’s live shows; and just tickets for individual shows a la carte. They’re all available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com. In addition to the live shows, there is another workshop. On June 14, Murphy McHugh of Brick Penguin will be doing a workshop on stage directing and stagecraft. Brick Penguin has probably performed at Philly Sketchfest more than almost anyone, and he knows what he’s talking about. The workshop is at Sawubona at 3pm on Saturday, June 14. The workshops will be over with plenty of time to grab a quick bite and head to MacGuffin for the 7pm show. For more details, head to phillysketchfest.com.

This week, Josh talks to Justin Williford (@and_another_thing_sketch) about growing up in Arkansas, finding a comedy oasis in Harrisburg, and starting sketch comedy after years in improv. And Another Thing is coming to Philly Sketchfest on Friday, June 13 at the MacGuffin Stage in the 10pm block along with Brick Penguin from Washington DC. Tickets are available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com. There are still 8 live shows this weekend. Buy the night pass to see all of Friday and Saturday’s shows. A weekend pass for all three nights of next weekend’s live shows; and just tickets for individual shows a la carte. They’re all available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com. In addition to the live shows, there is another workshop. On June 14, Murphy McHugh of Brick Penguin will be doing a workshop on stage directing and stagecraft. Brick Penguin has probably performed at Philly Sketchfest more than almost anyone, and he knows what he’s talking about. The workshop is at Sawubona at 3pm on Saturday, June 14. The workshops will be over with plenty of time to grab a quick bite and head to MacGuffin for the 7pm show. For more details, head to phillysketchfest.com.

This week, Josh talks to Andi Rogers Patton about creative duos, collaborating long distance, and the fear of a novelty song. You can follow Chronically [Ch]ill on Instagram at @chronicallychillcomedy. Chronically [Ch]ill is coming to Philly Sketchfest along with Motel Party. They’ll be performing on Thursday, June 12, at 730 along with Philly’s own Motel Party at Sawubona. Tickets are available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com. Buy the night pass for this weekend’s shows. A weekend pass for all three nights of next weekend’s live shows; and just tickets for individual shows a la carte. They’re all available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com. In addition to the live shows, there are also two workshops. On June 7, The Chris and Paul Show will do their workshop on using physicality for storytelling, and on June 14, Murphy McHugh of Brick Penguin will be doing a workshop on stage directing and stagecraft. Both of the workshops are at Sawubona at 3pm on their respective Saturdays. The workshops will be over with plenty of time to grab a quick bite and head to MacGuffin for the 7pm show. For more details, head to phillysketchfest.com.

This week, Josh talks to Eoin Wenger (New York City’s EZ Pass) about touring in a band, open mics down the street, and joining the sketch world. You can follow EZ Pass on Instagram at @ezpasscomedy. If you’re in New York, EZ Pass is performing at the PIT Loft on June 4 at 7:30 PM. Then, EZ Pass is coming to Philly Sketchfest on Saturday, June 7 in the 10pm block along with Chaps from Washington DC and Disco Horses also from New York. Tickets for the festival can be found at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com. Philly Sketchfest 2025 starts June 4 with the Sketch Comedy Film Festival at PhilaMOCA. Then over the next two weekends, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: 16 live shows featuring 35 acts. Tickets and passes are all available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com. In addition to the live show, there are also two workshops. On June 7, The Chris and Paul Show will do their workshop on using physicality for storytelling, and on June 14, Murphy McHugh of Brick Penguin will be doing a workshop on sketch directing and stagecraft. Both of the workshops are at Sawubona at 3pm on their respective Saturdays. The workshops will be over with plenty of time to grab a quick bite and head to MacGuffin for the 7pm show. For more details, head to phillysketchfest.com.

This week, Josh talks to Katherine Coleman (@katherineisfunny) about Taylor Swift, boys’ names, Roll Tide and War Eagle, and calling me out for saying wooder. Swiftie 101 comes to Philly Sketchfest 2025 on Thursday, June 5 at 730 along with Gooses. Back in New York, Swiftie 101 returns to the PIT on June 17 at 8pm. Starting June 4 with the Sketch Comedy Film Festival at PhilaMOCA. Then over the next two weekends, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: 16 live shows featuring 35 acts. You can get a festival pass to see everything; a weekend pass for three nights of live shows; a night pass for all 3 shows on a Friday or Saturday; and just tickets for individual shows a la carte. They’re all available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com.

This week, Josh talks to Russ Bizaro about humor magazines, not being loud enough, and a brief detour about the history of sketch in Philly. Septar will be performing at Theme Park: Looking Ahead on Thursday, May 29, at 730. And then, at Philly Sketchfest along with Mean Sparkle on Friday, June 13 at 7pm at the MacGuffin Stage. Follow Septar on Instagram at @septar_sketch. Philly Sketchfest 2025 starts June 4 with the Sketch Comedy Film Festival at PhilaMOCA. Then over the next two weekends, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: 16 live shows featuring 35 acts. You can get a festival pass to see everything; a weekend pass for three nights of live shows; a night pass for all 3 shows on a Friday or Saturday; and just tickets for individual shows a la carte. Tickets and passes are available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com.

This week, Josh talks to Allison Villaseñor (@avillasenora) about meeting your comedy partner in the real world, studying at the Atlantic Theater Company, and not totally being a Swiftie. If you’re in New York City, you can see Allison in Clownclave (a clown show with a papal twist) on May 24 at 930 at the Pinebox Rockshop. Both Hands returns to the PIT on June 4 at 730. And Swiftie 101 returns to the PIT on June 17 at 8pm. Allison is coming to Philly Sketchfest with Swiftie 101 on Thursday, June 5 at Plays & Players at 730 along with Gooses; with Jackie & Allison Into the Multiverse on Friday, June 13 at the MacGuffin Stage at 830 along with Vivek Srikanthan; and with Both Hands on Saturday, June 14 at the MacGuffin Stage at 830 along with High Dramma. Before Philly Sketchfest, get a preview with Theme Park: Looking Ahead at Plays & Players on Thursday, May 29, at 730pm. So many Philly sketch comedians in one place. Tickets for all Philly Sketchfest shows are available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com.

This week, Josh talks to Katie Congrove of Big Ol’ Mess (@bigolmesscomedy) about editing yearbooks, building trust with the audience, and being dumb. Big Ol’ Mess are heading to Austin Sketchfest on May 25. Then, they return to Denver May 30 at the Denver Press Club and May 31 at Rise Comedy. The following week, they come to Philly Sketchfest June 6, performing at 8:30 along with Brandy Alexander. Tickets for that are available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com. Submissions are now open for Denver Sketch Fest. The festival will take place October 9-11. Go to risecomedy.com for more info.

This week, Josh talks to Jackie Skinner about clown, idiots, and creating a comedy show with an old work friend. Jackie and Allison into the Multiverse is coming to Philly Sketchfest on Friday, June 13 at 830pm at the MacGuffin Stage at the Adrienne Theater along with Vivek Srikanthan. Tickets are available at phillysketchfest.simpletix.com. Before they come to Philly, Jackie and Allison are performing two more shows at Boston Fringe, Friday, May 9 at 915 and Sunday, May 11 at 7:05. Follow Jackie and Allison on Instagram at @_jackieandallison (that’s Allison with 2 L’s) and you can follow Jackie at @jackiebskinner.