If you want to hire a comedian or book a comic performer for your next corporate event, comedy club, private party, fundraiser, or any other event, we can help. We’ve been producing live and on-camera events throughout the country for over a decade, and know how important it is for you to have the right talent.
Our comedy workshop regularly produces some of the top comedic talent in Arizona. ComedySchools.com is based out of the world-famous Tempe Center for the Arts, giving us connections with the top-tier stand ups in the world.
Comedian Bios & Sample Video
Ritch Shydner: Watch Performance
Ritch is back performing stand-up after a 13 yr. break. He is a powerhouse of funny and one of the Pioneer’s of Comedy and can be seen starring in “I Am Comic“. Ritch Shydner, with thirty years experience as a standup comedian and television writer.
Ritch has made numerous appearances on the David Letterman and Jay Leno shows, and before that Johnny Carson. He did an HBO half-hour special, “One Night Stand.” He played Al Bundy’s co-worker on “Married with Children,” and made guest appearances on many other TV shows, such as “Designing Women” and “Roseanne.” Ritch was able to translate his modest success on TV into an equally obscure film career, appearing in Steve Martin’s, “Roxanne,” and Eddie Murphy’s, “Beverly Hills Cop II,” before moving on to smaller roles on more obscure pictures.
For the last few years, Ritch was a staff writer on such sitcoms as “Roseanne,” “The Jeff Foxworthy Show,” and “Titus.” He wrote scripts for Becker and other shows.Most recently, Ritch was the Co-Executive Producer and head writer for the HBO show, “The Mind of the Married Man.”Ritch wrote material for Jeff Foxworthy’s Grammy nominated comedy albums, “Totally Committed,” and “Big Fun.” He also wrote for singers Kenny Rogers and Pam Tillis, as well as internationally acclaimed ventriloquist, “David Strassman”. A nationally touring motivational speaker, Steven B. Wiley, used Ritch’s service to make his pitch funnier. In short, Ritch has worked very hard at avoiding work for over thirty years.
Ken Kaz: Watch Performance
As a stand-up comedian, Ken’s voracious appetite for writing clever and often profound comedy has elevated him to a top-rate entertainer. His ever-evolving performances quickly win over audiences and fans who return time and again to catch his latest installments. Be it an edgy comedy club or corporate clean show, his above-board approach to tackling all topics has made him a stand-out in stand-up comedy for fans of all ages.
He has performed all over the country. He just finished a month long run of his one-man show, “Unplanned Parenthood,” at the Tempe Improv’s Wonderama Theater.
Ken is your man for your corporate event he never fails to deliver a performance your employees will be laughing about all year. He is the clear choice whether you a fortune 500 company or a Missouri pig farmer.
Ben Campbell: Watch Performance
KNIX 102.5′s own Ben Campbell from the Ben and Matt Show is considered one of the best Impressionist in the country. Yes he is a man of a thousand voices and could entertain us for hours on end all by himself.
CAREER HISTORY: WIVK/Knoxville, TN (1992-1995) – WWYC/Lexington, KY (1995-1996) KMLE/Phoenix, AZ (1996-2002) WMZQ/Washington, DC (2002-2007) – KNIX/Phoenix 2008-Still here!
As part of Clear Channel radio station 102.5 KNIX and the station’s morning duo, Ben and Matt, He won a CMA Broadcast Award which is a among the most prestigious awards in radio. The judging process involves more than 40 distinguished industry professionals including broadcasters from all market sizes and regions of the U.S., recording industry executives and Nashville music notables.
From presidents to rock stars to your favorite actors, Ben Campbell can do them all. Many people say he’s better than Frank Caliendo. Find out for yourself!
Bob Kubota: Watch Performance
Bob Kubota began his career as a stand-up comic in 1987 while still a student of journalism at Arizona State University. Encouraged by virtually no one, he honed his particular idea of humor at “open mike nights” sponsored by various saloons and bistros throughout the greater Phoenix area. Within two years Bob was “on the bill” for paying customers at legitimate comedy clubs. Only then did he let his parents know that his life dream didn’t include bar exams – just bars.
His penchant for dry wit, lighthearted sarcasm and deciphering life’s ironies has led him to the majority of the contiguous 48 states as well as Alaska and Hawaii. The sly take that he has on his own ethnicity continually proves to be a popular feature of his act. In 1996 he became an international performer when he joined the United Service Organization (USO) and now tours regularly with the “Comics On Duty” (Davis Entertainment) providing comic relief to American military troops stationed around the globe. Bob has now spun his material in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bahrain, England, Iceland, Hungary, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Diego Garcia, Australia, Haiti, Honduras, Cuba, and many more. He has also performed in Hong Kong for English-speaking residents of the city’s bustling business and finance community.
Bob has apeared on nearly a dozen comedy programs featuring stand-ups, from Comedy Central to A&E and MTV. Mr. Kubota is also a world-class exponent of deceptive sleight-of-hand. Do not play cards with him. He currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona with Ilene, his wife, Nancy, their corgi-mix, a laptop and a golf swing that he built himself.
Kevin Odea: Watch Performance
Kevin O’Dea is truly the rarest breed of comic, who’s light shines so brightly.. audiences must look away. Not since “Yahoo Serious” has a comic combine inane jokes with a ridiculous hair cut . Raised in New Jersey, O’Dea is a model of etiquette and classy stuff, charming crowds of frightened onlookers. Born without the ability to feel shame, O’Dea has fit in well in the local Arizona Comedy Scene. His act is not to be missed.. by anyone…ever.
O’Dea is a founding member of the sketch comedy troupe the mystudio players as well as the Tempe Improv Improvisers Improv Troupe.
Kevin stared in the Sci- fi online short Space Basterds that is being adapted into a graphic novel by Dagg Comics. He also hosts a regular show called Kevin O’Dea’s Comedy Circus that focuses on bringing the most unusual and hilarious acts in the nation together all under one big top. Unparalleled as a host he makes any show an event!
Dave Thurston: Watch Performance
A graduate of the world famous Second City conservatory. He has also completed advanced improvisational training at iO Chicago and the Annoyance in Chicago. He is a 7 veteran performer, director and instructor at Theater 168 and the Tempe Improv, where he teaches Improv classes. He is an alumni of ASU’s Barren Mind and Farce Side comedy hour where he wrote and performed the news and played the running role of love struck Johnny No Knees.
As a standup comic Dave has studied under Tony Vicich and regularly features Nation wide. Dave has performed at the Tempe Improv, Celebrity Theater, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, The Comedy Spot, Casinos, The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, The Del Close Theater, The Family Room, and Second Cities E.T.C. Stage. Dave has also studied under Mick Napier, Michael Gellman.
Jonathan Gregory: Watch Performance
A public speaker by trade, Jonathan Gregory was the creator and president of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Gregory worked in partnership with the public school system to inspire today’s misguided youth, and equip them with the tools for success. He produced and performed high-energy motivational speeches to packed auditoriums, while warming the hearts of many. As he settled into his newfound career, Gregory grew weary of stupid kids, thus propelling him to change his venue, and pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a comedian.
Jonathan Gregory broke onto the scene at the age of 19, as a punching dummy in a Mike Tyson promo, which aired on Showtime. In an attempt to extend his fifteen minutes of fame, he shocked American viewers while portraying the victim of a crazed fraternity in E! True Hollywood Story Investigates: Hazing. He showcased Herculean strength when he sustained 96 paddles from a giant wooden oar.
Still not humiliated enough, Gregory put his dunce cap on, and prepared himself for the worst. In 2008, Gregory’s talents were highlighted on NBC’s Last Comic Standing as Dick Dynamo, an intense personal trainer with a love for spandex, and delusions of grandeur. His outlandish character and sketch work landed him on Last Comic Standing’s top ten best of the worst episode. Ranking in at number ten, his status as the worst best of the worst comic was solidified.
Arizona Native Jonathan Gregory has won three state boxing championships, making him the World’s Toughest Comedian.
Kirsten Alberts: Watch Performance
Malik R. Robinson: Watch Performance
It is with much pleasure that I am writing to recommend the services of Comedy Schools/Alishia LLC for your next comedy event.
I have worked with Comedy Schools to plan a community Comedy Night in Scottsdale and was extremely pleased by the professionalism of their employees as well as by the performance of their comedians. Tony was an excellent resource to work with as he was flexible to our needs, relayed pertinent information to performers, and understanding of unexpected changes. During the event, Tony maintained his professionalism and ensured that the talent was comfortable in our space. He also aided in the sound a lighting set up, ensuring that our event would look the best that it could.
The comedians followed our community standards in regard to comedy topics and were punctual while making the audience erupt in laughter. Like a traditional comedy show, comedians appropriately interacted with our audience and captured their attention from the moment they were on stage. The comedians were, like Tony, super professional off stage, behind the scenes. They also did a fantastic job of catering to the specific demographics of our community by making jokes pertinent to their experiences.
Our residents expressed their satisfaction with the comedy show as a whole, and that is in large part to the excellent show that Comedy Schools put on for our event. In addition to that, Comedy Schools is also very reasonably priced for the entertainment you are receiving.
I would happily recommend Comedy Schools for your next comedy event. If you have any questions, please contact me.
