Students to compete in inaugural comedy competition

Three students from Western Washington University will be joining the first-ever Northwest Comedy Competition, according to a press release from LAPH Productions, which is putting on the event.

More from the release:

Travis Nelson, Will Butela, and Cole Finchen will be joining the 12 finalists for a competition during the inaugural Wenatchee Comedy Festival on Saturday, April 27.

The Wenatchee Comedy Festival is an all-day event taking place on the first Saturday of the 10-day Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival and will include improv by The Upfront Theatre and stand-up comedy from Seattle moguls Ralph Porter and “Big Irish” Jay Hollingsworth as well as the introduction of the Northwest Comedy Competition that highlights twelve comedians from the Pacific Northwest, including the three WWU students, competing for a grand prize. It will also feature live music, local beers, and wine in the festival beer garden.

The producer of the Wenatchee Comedy Festival, Alex Haley, is a 2011 Western Washington University alumnus and former stand-up comedy performer in the Bellingham area. Bellingham is becoming a hot spot for talented performers in both improv and stand-up comedy and Haley has chosen to include both the Upfront Theatre and members of the Stand Up Comedy Klub (SUCK) to represent his alma-mater in this new monumental event for Washington and Wenatchee.

Haley has spent the two years since graduating cultivating experience in event promotion through his positions at the Performing Arts Center of Wenatchee, Icicle Brewing Company, and the Apple Blossom Festival where he has promoted festivals such as The Leisure Games, comedy shows such as A Night of Improv with Ryan Stiles, and beer festivals such as Blossoms & Brews. These experiences have inspired him to found the production company, LAPH Productions, in an attempt to improve performance art in the state and provide people with new, fun entertainment.

The producers of the Wenatchee Comedy Festival hope to draw people from all over
Washington State by providing them with new, genuine entertainment while simultaneously showcasing the talented individuals operating out of the Pacific Northwest.

Ticket and event information can be found at www.laphpro.com. For additional information contact Alex Haley at laphpro@gmail.com or (509) 421-0548
For a full calendar of LAPH Productions events visit: http://laphpro.com/.