FAQ

How do I apply?

Fill out the application on our website and pay the submission fee.

Who is eligible to apply?

Anyone who submits an application and has not yet participated in a Don't Tell Comedy Live Taping for our digital stand-up series.

What if I apply and am deemed ineligible?

If you are deemed ineligible, your submission fee will be refunded

Where are the competitions?

If your tape is selected by our team of reviewers, you will advance to a regional showcase which will take place in one of the following locations:

• EAST (NYC SHOWCASE): Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C.
• WEST (LA SHOWCASE): Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Hawaii, Alaska
• SOUTHEAST (ATLANTA): Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana
• SOUTHWEST (AUSTIN SHOWCASE): Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma
• MIDWEST (CHICAGO SHOWCASE): North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio

The Semi-Finals and Finals will be held in Los Angeles.

Does this pay?

If you are selected to participate in the regionals, you will be paid a $75 performer rate for each show that you perform in. There is also a cash prize for the winner!

In addition to being paid for every performance on an official DTCCCCC show, any comedian who lives more than 250 miles away from our regional show, will be given a $250 travel stipend to help cover costs. Similarly, any comedian who lives more than 250 miles from our Finals (in Los Angeles) will be given a $500 travel stipend.

What are the prizes?

The winner of the competition will be awarded a grand prize of $5,000 and will also be automatically booked on an upcoming Don't Tell Comedy Taping that will live on the Don't Tell Comedy YouTube channel.

The runner-up will receive $1500 and a headlining set on a future DTC show. All comedians who make the semi-finals will have the opportunity to have at least one stand-up clip posted on the DTC social channels.

What should I submit?

Fill out our application here.

When will I know if I am accepted?

You will be notified either way by May 2, 2025

Is there a submission fee? Why is there a submission fee?

Yes, there is a submission fee of $35. The submission fees are going towards the costs of hosting the competition, including hiring submission reviewers to watch all the submission tapes to determine who advances to the regionals. The submission fees will also go towards covering the cost of the video production for the semi-finals and finals, as well as the cash prizes.

If you are unable to afford the submission fee, please feel free to contact us to apply for a submission fee waiver at competition@donttellcomedy.com.

Is there a submission deadline?

Yes, the submission deadline is April 11, 2025.

Who is judging the competition?

A board of comedy "experts". C'mon, comedy is subjective but it'll include Don't Tell Comedy execs, comedy "industry" people, and professional comedians.

How much material do I need to be able to compete?

The longest set that is a part of the competition is 12 minutes.

Is the competition only for stand-up comedy?

Yes, just stand-up comedy acts.