Festival Improv Team Submissions

Application fee: $40.00

This submission is for your bid to the Riot Comedy Festival & Riot BBQ Cookoff held in Houston, TX April 1-4, 2026. As a part of this submission you are entered into our National Comedy Contest that concludes at our festival. The preliminary rounds will take place online in January 2026.

The preliminary rounds for the National contest will be held online on a server where our judges view and score your tape submission (3min first round, 5 min second round) Our judges are looking at three areas: stage presence, originality, and your material. 24 comics will advance to the final rounds of the contest held live at our festival in Houston, TX March 25-28, 2026 to compete for prizes and recognition: 1st $2500 2nd $500 3rd $100 4th $50. Winner gets a headlining show at The Riot Comedy Club in the fall of 2026.

Each comic that advances to our festival is guaranteed at least 4 quality spots including at least 2 spots for the National contest and two additional spots.

We cover your accommodations, ground transportation, fun parties, bbq cookoff, bar crawls, and more! Although you will be responsible for your own travel to Houston, we got everything from there!

FEES:

$24 until Oct 18 40% off Early Bird Saver

$40 until Dec 31 Last Minute

**YOU CAN PAY NOW AND SUBMIT/UPDATE YOUR TAPE SEPARATELY AT ANY TIME UNTIL JANUARY 5, 2026**

Name

Stage Name

State/Region

Link to Video of standup comedy performance (not required for submission can add/update anytime

Standup Comedy Experience

Less than 1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years 5-10 years 10 + years

If someone referred you to submit to our festival let us know their name!

Are you interested in becoming an instructor for Haha Comedy Academy in your city?

Yes No Not Sure

We are seeking experienced comedians (at least 3 years in comedy) to teach comedy to kids! Class sizes of 4-6 kids (middle school & high school) during or after school, the program is One (1) Hour classes, once (1) a week, for eight (8) weeks. The class final project is a live performance on a Haha for Hope fundraiser show at a comedy club in your city. We'll get you all setup for success providing the curriculum, materials, and help you setup and run the Haha for Hope comedy fundraiser Comedy Show. Best of all we will pay you for teaching! Can learn more: hahaforhope.org

If you are interested in teaching, do you have any relevant teaching, coaching, or mentoring experience? Please share some details.

Thank you for submitting! Complete your payment in the next 15 minutes.

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You will be charged $40.00

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