Looking for a laugh? 'Funniest Person in Austin' contest launches Tuesday

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Looking for a laugh in these trying times? An Austin comedy club's months-long competition may be the place to find it.

Cap City Comedy Club is trying to find Austin's funniest person. The club, located in The Domain, is launching its Funniest Person in Austin Competition with preliminary rounds starting Tuesday.

The contest will see 250 aspiring local comedians take the stage to perform original material, vying for the title of Funniest Person in Austin and a grand prize of $3,000.

The contest originally launched in 1986 and ran through 2020 under Cap City's original owners. The club joined Helium Comedy, a national chain of comedy clubs, in 2021 and continued the tradition under the new ownership. The concept of the competition expanded across Helium's locations, and according to the chain, the contest "has served as a springboard for several comedians who have gone on to achieve national recognition" in all its markets.

Some of those comedians are Shane Gillis (Philadelphia, 2016), Matt McCusker (Philadelphia, 2014), Ian Karmel (Portland, 2011), Alex Falcone (Portland, 2018), Martha Kelly (Austin, 2000), Chris Fairbanks (Austin, 2003), and Adam Pasi (Portland, 2019).

Preliminary round winners are determined by audience vote, and the first preliminary round show is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Shows that are part of the competition are scheduled nearly every week from now until late August. Tickets are available online and start at $19.99 for general admission.