Nantucket Comedy Festival: A Laughter-filled Event on the Island

Executive Director : Kevin Flynn

The Nantucket Comedy Festival began in 2007 when professional stand-up comedian Kevin Flynn was devastated to learn that a rash of teen suicides had shaken the Nantucket community. Kevin knew there was healing power in laughter, so he set his heart on applying it to the tragedy-stricken island.

Kevin envisioned creating classes for kids using stand up comedy techniques to teach confidence and self esteem. As with any large project, he recognized such an endeavor would require funding. So, Kevin gathered a group of his nationally-recognized stand-up comic friends and asked if they would be willing to donate their time and talent at a Festival dedicated to support the kids’ comedy program. The comics generously obliged.

The following summer, Kevin and co-founder Bonnie Levison staged the first Nantucket Comedy Festival, bringing laughter to a community that was in need of its restorative impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Patron Pass give you access to, and how much does it cost?

We rely on the generous support of individuals and businesses to help us continue the success of the Stand Up & Learn™ program. These fun workshops educate and inspire creativity in children while giving them the tools they need to be successful, happy and confident throughout their lives. Your tax deductible donation allows us to develop curriculum, to organize and staff our initiatives, to hire and forge creative partnerships, to hold year round workshops, to bring in professional comedians to work with students as well as entertain the broader community at night, and to bring the Stand Up & Learn™ to even more children nationwide.

Nantucket Comedy Festival, July 11-13, 2024
* link to purchase patron passes and gold passes

Patron Passes $1,500
• One (1) VIP all-access pass to every NCF show
• One (1) entry to every pre-show cocktail party
• One (1) ticket to the Opening Night Party
• One (1) ticket to the Stand Up & Learn Benefit, an exclusive event featuring special celebrity guest(s).
• Donation to Stand Up & Learn, Nantucket’s year-round educational workshops which engage students through comedy, creative writing, communication, and critical thinking, as well as team and confidence building

Gold Passes $5,000
• Two (2) VIP all-access passes and reserved premium seating at every NCF show
• Two (2) tickets to every pre-show cocktail party
• Two (2) tickets to the Opening Night Party
• Two (2) tickets to the Stand Up & Learn Benefit, an exclusive event featuring special celebrity guest(s).
• Special Listing in the virtual program for you or your company, along with signage at the events and on our website.
• Leadership donation to Stand Up & Learn, Nantucket’s year-round educational workshops which engage students through comedy, creative writing, communication, and critical thinking, as well as team and confidence building
• Special thank you from the stage at Stand Up & Learn Kids’ Night
• Shared sponsor credit of a Stand Up & Learn Winter Series Workshop and Performance in 2024
• Special assistance during festival events from our Gold Level Patron Pass concierge

What is NCF's Mission?

The Nantucket Comedy Festival is a non-profit organization that uses comedy to empower, engage, and inspire through its annual festival and the year-round Stand Up & Learn™ workshops.

Where do the monies raised by NCF go?

Proceeds from the Nantucket Comedy Festival benefit Stand Up & Learn™, the innovative educational program implemented in schools to encourage confidence and comedic self-expression through creative writing. The program provides a series of videos and interactive worksheets, giving teachers and students the tools they need to begin writing and practicing stand-up comedy in their classrooms. Stand Up & Learn™ workshops engage students in creative writing, communication, and critical thinking as well as team and confidence building. It is one of the first stand-up comedy program developed for middle and high school students with an emphasis on writing comedic stories and bits. The program has been implemented with Nantucket students, The Gateway School in New York City, the Deveraux Glenholme School in Washington, Connecticut, and at the Cape Cod Conservatory. We are very excited that Stand Up & Learn™ will soon reach students nationwide.

What is Stand Up & Learn™?

Stand Up & Learn™ is an educational program for kids aged 8–18 that is comprised of a series of lessons using video and interactive worksheets that engage students in creative writing, communication, and critical thinking as well as team and confidence building. Stand Up & Learn is the first stand-up comedy program developed for high school students, with an emphasis on writing comedic stories and bits. The program is currently being implemented with Nantucket students, The Gateway School in New York City, the Deveraux Glenholme School in Washington, Connecticut, and at the Cape Cod Conservatory. Stand Up & Learn™ is entire on the support of our donors to continue providing year-round Stand Up & Learn™ programs for kids. Please consider a donation.