TWO DAYS. THREE STAGES. OVER 80 PERFORMERS.
TWO DAYS. THREE STAGES. OVER 80 PERFORMERS.
FRIDAY STAND UP
AT THE INDEPENDENT COMEDY CLUB AND THE BLACK BOX (AKA THE PURPLE BUILDING)
FRIDAY IMPROV
IMPROV COMEDY AT PLANET ANT - ANT HALL
SATURDAY STAND UP
AT THE INDEPENDENT COMEDY CLUB AND THE BLACK BOX (AKA THE PURPLE BUILDING)
DINNER.SHOW | Stand up | 6 PM | Black Box - TICKETS
Stand up | 6 PM | Independent Comedy Club - TICKETS
Stand up | 7 PM | Black Box - TICKETS
Stand up | 7 PM | Independent Comedy Club - TICKETS
STORYTELLING | 8 PM | Black Box - TICKETS
Stand up | 8 PM | Independent Comedy Club - TICKETS
HEATHER JAY HEADLINES | 9 PM | Independent Comedy Club - TICKETS
Stand up | 10:30 PM | Independent Comedy Club - TICKETS
SATURDAY IMPROV
IMPROV COMEDY AT PLANET ANT - ANT HALL
~ Saturday Workshops
~ Saturday Workshops
Rhyming With Tam
WITH TAM WHITE
11:30AM-1:30PM | $30
THE INDEPENDENT COMEDY CLUB
In just two hours, learn tips and tricks from the comedian and creator/producer/host of ‘Hip-Prov’ Tam White, as she shares tons of fun exercises and lessons learned throughout her years in the world of ‘rhyming’. An avid fan of hip-hop and rapping freestyles for fun at a very young age, Tam has also written comedic parodies/raps/poems, performed in musical All-Star Showdowns at her resident improv theatre ‘Go Comedy’ and joined the musical Improv cast ‘Improv: The Musical’.
Of all things, rhyming strikes the most fear and hesitancy in the heart of the average ‘Hip-Prov’ game show contestant, so Tam is excited to help everyone get out of their heads and ‘trust themselves’. Various exercises will be played as groups, pairs and line games. “Just bring an open mind and appetite for fun. I’ll take care of the rest!” ~ Tam :)
Commit Hard: Building Bold Characters
WITH ANDI MAZ
2:00-3:30PM | $30
THE INDEPENDENT COMEDY CLUB
This workshop will present a three-pronged approach to creating bold characters. Through focused exercises, performers will develop strong points of view, sharpen their instincts, and learn how to heighten scenes by fully committing to behavior and perspective. Expect to push past safe choices and fully embody the worlds you create in your scenes.
Andi has trained at top improv institutions and theaters across the country, including Chicago’s iO and The Annoyance, as well as Detroit staples Planet Ant and Go Comedy. Most recently she’s trained with The Groundlings in Los Angeles, where she is currently training at the advanced level (and has heavily influenced this workshop).
Breathe, Bend & Be Funny: Mindfulness + Yoga to Improve Stage Presence
WITH SARAH BRYANT
11AM-12:30PM | $25
ANT HALL
Ever replay a performance in your mind long after you’ve left the stage? Feel your shoulders tighten right before you grab the mic? Wonder if the pause was too long — or not long enough? Are you reading this and feeling sweaty right now? Good news! You're not alone.
Breathe, Bend & Be Funny is a playful, grounding yoga and mindfulness experience created for performers to help regulate stage anxiety, strengthen presence, and to learn skills that support a smooth recovery in our mind and body-just in case a joke doesn’t land. Blending breath work, accessible movement, and mindfulness exercise, participants will learn skills to feel centered and connected in high-pressure moments — on stage, in community and in everyday life.
Methods on Clowning
WITH SKIPPY ROSE
1:00-3PM | $5
ANT HALL
What is clowning, and how can you use its principles to make your comedy stronger? In this workshop, we'll go over the basics of clowning — both mentally and physically. No, it’s not juggling or unicycling, but clowning methods that you can practice with anything you have on hand and at any skill level.
Contracts 101 for Comedians
WITH CHAREIN FARAJ
11AM-12:30PM | $25
THE BLACK BOX
You work hard for your set, so don't let a bad contract take the punchline out of your paycheck. In this practical seminar, attorney Charein Faraj, Esq. breaks down what's actually in the agreements you're being handed and what should be. From venue deals and booking agreements to licensing and merchandise, you'll learn what clauses protect you, what red flags to watch for, and how to make sure you actually get paid. No legalese, no lecture. Just straight talk about protecting your career and your money.
Charein Faraj, Esq. is a Michigan-based attorney and founder of Innovation Attorney & Consulting, where she advises clients on contracts, business law, and legal strategy. With a practice spanning commercial negotiations, civil litigation, and legal technology, Charein brings a no-nonsense, practitioner-first approach to helping clients understand their rights before they sign on the dotted line. A recognized voice on AI in legal practice and a frequent panelist and speaker, she has a knack for translating complex legal concepts into plain language that actually makes sense, whether you're a business owner, a startup, or a comedian trying to get paid for a Friday night gig.
Musical Improv 101
WITH MICHELLE WEISS AND JAMIE ARTMAN
1:00-3:30PM | $45
THE BLACK BOX
Improvisers of all musical and improvisational skill levels are invited to join instructors Jamie Artman and Michelle Weiss for Musical Improv 101! Explore the fundamentals of musical improv like rhythm, song structure, and rhyme. By the end of this 3-hour workshop, you'll be able to improvise songs with live accompaniment. Don't hesitate, come join the band!
Whether you’re brand new to musical improv or looking for a refresher, you’ll be singing entirely improvised songs by the end of this workshop.
TWO DAYS. THREE STAGES. OVER 80 PERFORMERS.
TWO DAYS. THREE STAGES. OVER 80 PERFORMERS.
Our Mission
The Detroit Women of Comedy Festival is a celebration of diverse perspectives in comedy and creativity from Metro Detroit and beyond.
DWCF strives to honor and elevate marginalized voices across a spectrum of genders and identities to create an inclusive platform for community-building, joy, and collaboration in comedy.
The festival features improv, stand-up, sketch, podcasts, alt-comedy, and workshops. Proceeds directly support Detroit-based non-profits providing arts education and services for at-risk populations in the community.
2026 Beneficiaries
Detroit Justice Center
Detroit Creativity Project
Planet Ant