Comedy Competition Terms and Conditions

THE FOLLOWING IS A LEGALLY BINDING DOCUMENT. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY AND SIGN IT ONLY IF YOU AGREE TO ALL TERMS HEREIN.

PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT AND CONTEST RULES (this "Agreement")

Don’t Tell Comedy, Inc. (“Promoter”) has organized the Don’t Tell Comedy Competitive Comedy Competition for Comedians (the “Program”) consisting of a stand-up comedy competition, in which the undersigned (the “Participant”) will participate. Participant has voluntarily requested the opportunity to be a Participant in the Program. In consideration of being a Participant in the Program, and intending to be legally bound, Participant and its family, heirs, administrators, executors, personal representatives and assigns, voluntarily and knowingly represents, acknowledges, and agrees:

  • Participant is a legal U.S. resident. Participant is not subject to any restriction on the ability to participate in the Program by any employer, contractor, or governmental entity. Participant is not subject to any contractual arrangement that would prohibit entering into this Agreement or any other subsequent agreement with Promoter, including without limitation a live performance booking contract.
  • Promoter has the sole discretion to determine the rules and regulations applicable to the Program, including the determination of the winner(s) thereof, prizes awarded and Participant eligibility. Promoter has the sole discretion at any time to render ineligible or disqualify any person who, in Promoter’s sole discretion, has violated Program rules and regulations, is acquainted with the Program such that participation therein may create the appearance of impropriety, has obtained a level of notoriety such that Participant is not considered an “amateur” comedian in Promoter’s sole discretion, has previously participated in an event or taping with or for Promoter, or otherwise does not meet eligibility criteria. Participant has read and agrees to the Program Rules and Regulations, which may be found here, and are expressly incorporated into this Agreement.
  • Participant irrevocably, unconditionally and fully waives any claim for, and releases and forever discharges Promoter and all of its respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliated entities, predecessors, successors and assigns; and all of their respective shareholders, directors, officers, members, employees, representatives, contractors and agents (collectively “the Organizers”) from all actions, causes of actions, complaints, suits, debts, costs, claims, losses, damages and demands whatsoever, which Participant, and anyone acting through, by or on Participants behalf, now has, or may have in the future, arising or alleged to arise in any way out of any cause, matter or thing relating to the Program, participation or presence in the Program, regardless of the cause or blame, including, without limitation, any negligent act or omission of the Organizers or any of them.
  • Participant waives, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any statute, ordinance, regulation or requirement of any state or province to the effect that the general release herein does not extend to claims which Participant did not know or suspect existed at the time Participant signed this Agreement, which, if Participant had known, may have materially affected Participant’s decision to sign this Agreement. Participant expressly agrees that all such claims or damages are hereby waived and released to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
  • Participant hereby grants, to the Organizers, and each of them, the right to make photographs, videotapes, audio tapes or other recordings, or likenesses of Participant during the Program and/or included in Participant’s submission of an application to participate in the Program, including without limitation any live performance, and the right to use such photographs, videotapes, audio tapes, recordings or likenesses in any way, in any medium, for any business purpose (including, without limitation, for advertising purposes), without further consideration or compensation and without limitation as to media, time or territory. Participant further agrees to abide by Promoter’s privacy policy and website terms and conditions, found here, and which are expressly incorporated into the terms of this Agreement.
  • Participant is competent to sign this Agreement, was given ample opportunity before signing this Agreement, to clarify, to Participant’s complete satisfaction, any questions or concerns Participant may have had concerning any term of this Agreement and Participant fully understands each and every term hereof.

Contest Rules and Regulations

Initial Application Process:

Participant shall submit an application, along with a thirty-five dollar ($35.00) application fee. The application and fee payment portal can be found here. Participant must also execute the Participant Agreement. All applications must be submitted on or before: April 11, 2025. The applications shall include the following information:

  • Full Name
  • Residential Address
  • Email
  • Phone Number
  • Link to 3-minute Tape
  • Link to Social Profiles
  • Region submitting for
  • Significant Credits
  • Headshot
  • What’s your connection to your region of choice? (200-words max)
  • Entry fee ($35)

Judging:

Except for the seeding round, as detailed below, the initial application and each round will be judged by a panel of judges selected by Promoter who will judge based on everything from originality, delivery, stage presence, jokes, and physicality. Really, though, comedy is very subjective and they will just be picking who they think is funniest. In short, selection is in the Judges’ and Promoter’s sole and absolute discretion.

Initial Selection:

From all validly submitted applications, Promoter, in its sole and absolute discretion, will select at least six (6) Participants for each Regional Showcase (described below). Participant shall indicate its region of choice, but Promoter reserves the right to assign Participants to other regions, in its sole discretion. Participants selected for the Regional Showcase shall be informed on or before May 2, 2025, and must confirm and accept on or before May 5, 2025. For applicants from abroad, if any, Participant(s) selected for the National Finals will be informed after conclusion of the Regional Showcases.

Regional Showcase:

Participants selected for participation in a Regional Showcase will be assigned to one of the following regions:

  • 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, Alaska, Hawaii
  • Southeast (Atlanta or New Orleans Showcase): 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 or Columbus Showcase): North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio

International applicants may still apply, but may not be assigned to a region. Selection of international applicants may be placed in a regional or sent directly to the National Finals, at Promoter’s sole discretion, and will be determined at the conclusion of the application period. Regional Showcase rounds will take place between May 14, 2025 and May 24, 2025. Provided, however, that the date, time, location and venue for each Regional Showcase is subject to change. Promoter is not responsible if Participant is unable to attend his/her assigned Regional Showcase, and no alternative accommodations will be made. Promoter will choose at least one (1) Participant from each Regional Showcase to participate in the National Finals (detailed below).

National Finals:

The National Finals weekend will consist of at least ten (10) comedians with at least one (1) Participant from each Regional Showcase. The National Finals will take place in Los Angeles, California on June 13 and June 14, 2025. Provided, however, that the date, time, location and venue for the National Finals is subject to change. Promoter is not responsible if Participant is unable to attend the National Finals.

The Schedule for the National Finals shall be as follows, but is subject to change based on Participant and Judge availability, number of Participants selected, and venue availability, all in Promoter’s discretion:

FRIDAY JUNE 13TH: 2 SHOWS

SEEDING ROUND – The seeding round will be divided into two (2) sessions with Participants performing a seven (7) minute set in each round. Participant order will be chosen by random draw. At the conclusion of each seeding round, the audience will rank the Participants in order. Participant’s ranking will determine Participant’s line-up position for the Saturday semifinals.

SATURDAY JUNE 14TH: 2 SHOWS

SEMIFINALS – The semifinals will be a single session, with Participants each performing a seven (7) minute set. Participant order will be determined based on audience ranking from the seeding round. For example, the Participant with the highest audience score will choose whether he/she wants to perform first, second, last, etc. Then the second highest audience score will choose his/her position, until the order is determined.

Promoter will select at least five (5) comics from the semifinals to participate in the finals.

FINALS - The finals will be a single session, with Participants each performing a twelve (12) minute set. Participant Order for the finals will be chosen by random draw.

Prizes:

Each Participant will receive $75 for each set performed during the Program (Regional Showcase, Seeding Round, Semifinals, Finals), whether or not selected to advance to the next round. The winner of the Program will receive five thousand dollars ($5000.00 USD) and book a Don’t Tell Comedy Secret Set that will live on the Don’t Tell Comedy channel.

The runner-up will receive one thousand five hundred dollars ($1500.00 USD) and a headlining set on a future DTC show.

All Participants who make the semifinals will have at least one clip appear on DTC socials, provided, however, that Promoter reserves the right to use, or not use any performance by any Participant in its sole discretion.

Prizes shall be awarded at Promoter’s sole and absolute discretion.

Travel:

Participants may be entitled to a travel stipend, if selected to participate in the Regional Showcase, and/or National Finals, as the case may be, as follows:

  • Regional Showcase – If selected, any Participant that travels more than 250 miles to their assigned Regional Showcase location shall, upon request, receive a $250 travel stipend, payable upon completion of the Regional Showcase.
  • National Finals – If selected, any Participant in the National Finals shall, upon request, receive a $500 travel stipend, payable upon completion of the National Finals. Provided, however, that any Participant selected for the National Finals whose residential address is within the city where the National Finals are located shall not be entitled to any travel stipend.

Except for the travel stipend, Participants shall be responsible for all travel accommodations and lodging.