Shawna Lutzow, who first started performing in Madison, Wisconsin at Lady Laughs Comedy — a hub that prioritizes comedians who are LGBTQ+ and/or women — was surprised when she moved to Philadelphia that the city didn’t have any regular shows or open mics that did the same. So she launched a branch in the city to ensure women and queer comics get the opportunities they deserve.
“We market our shows as Philly’s only monthly comedy show that features all women and queer comics — and until we’re not, we’re going to keep promoting it that way,” Lutzow said. “But the goal is for us to not be the only one. There should be more.”
Before Lady Laughs Philly emerged, the scene felt a bit “homogeneous” to Mamaye, a comedian who said she’s often been the only woman at other open mics and in shows put together by other producers. Lutzow said producers who can’t build more diverse line-ups need to do their “due diligence” and actually try. About 100 comics have taken to the Lady Laughs Philly stage so far.
“I have binders full of women!” she joked, underlining that she has compiled long lists of comedians who aren’t cis-het white men.
Mamaye previously felt pressured to skew her sets to a specific audience — the “standard” cishet 18-25-year-old white men that most comedy clubs cater to — because she thought that’s what it would take to be successful. Participating in Lady Laughs Philly shows reminds her that she can find and build her own audience.
“We’re not all monoliths, but I feel like we’re treated that way sometimes,” she added, noting the group’s shows offer a more curated experience for both the people on stage and in the audience.
Delia Amendolia, a comedian who is now also starting to produce shows with Lady Laughs Philly, said she can “only scratch the surface” of topics with other audiences — but attendees at the shows want comics to go deep.
“You don’t have to hold anyone’s hand,” said Susan Keiser, who is 40 and just started performing six months ago. “You don’t have to water it down.”
She said taking to the stage wouldn’t have been possible without Lady Laughs Philly. After attending a show, she realized it was a safe space.
“The open mic gave me an opportunity to be comfortable,” she said. “I know I’ll get some laughs and also be in a safe space as a trans woman that I’ll be laughed with and not at.”
Several cis-het white men have reached out to Lutzow to see if they’re allowed to perform with Lady Laughs. Lutzow invites them to come and to reflect on that experience.
“How does it feel to wonder if you’re going to feel comfortable in that space?” she asked. “Because that’s how we fucking feel when we show up [to other venues]. I wonder, ‘Am I going to be welcome in this space? Is this going to feel comfortable?’ So for it to be flipped on these men — I’m not mad at it. Let them wonder. Come and see. Sit in the discomfort too.”
Lady Laughs Philly also follows the community standards set by Philly’s drag and burlesque community — which expects half of every cast to be people of color. Lutzow said the comedians must respect the standard the group has created of speaking to their own lived experiences and identities — which makes the space feel safer and more welcoming and reduces risks for triggers. But that doesn’t mean the shows are boring or bland.
Much of her early material was initially inspired by the ignorant and outlandish — but hilarious — things people would ask her or say to her when she first came out as gay.
“You get a pretty good gamut of queerness,” said Keiser, who is ace-spec and has seen comedians of all LGBTQ+ identities take to the stage.
The Lady Laughs brand is — of course — funny, but the comedy is also relatable in a way other shows aren’t always, Mamaye explained. Audience members walk away feeling seen.
“If you feel like you’re weird and you’re out of place and if you feel like you don’t have a space, come to a Lady Laughs show, and you will find someone,” she said. “And you will find a space and you’ll have a good time.”
And the demand is strong — which proves that this is an untapped market, Mamaye explained. Lady Laughs Philly has sold out all three shows it’s hosted for 2025.
Lutzow, who is financing the venture, said she ended last year’s run just $63 in the negative — “not bad at all,” she said, considering she’s also providing comedians with a standard base pay of $20 – $30 per set and shares money that’s earned during shows.
Amendolia explained that many shows only offer performers a drink ticket as a wage or a few dollars that doesn’t even cover transportation to and from the venue.
“I’ve been on shows that have paid $15 for 10 minutes and I’ve been on shows that pay nothing at all,” Lutzow explained. “I still think what we pay is low but it’s a start to have a standard base rate.”
Lady Laughs Philly, which typically hosts its open mics at the Painted Mug, is currently looking for a new venue as that space is closed for renovations with no clear timeline on reopening. Until a relationship with another venue is established, open mics are on pause. But Lutzow isn’t interested in just going anywhere. She’s seeking a space that has a designated stage area and one that will respect comics rather than make them compete with other forms of entertainment — like TV or music and other happenings at the bar, for instance.
The next opportunity to watch what these performers have to offer is their anniversary show on March 19 — which will feature Lutzow and many of the other comedians who joined her on stage for the first show a year ago.
Amendolia said Lady Laughs has started to fill a void not only in opportunities to show off on stage but also to learn and connect with people who share values and lived experiences and learn from each other as participants discover new things about themselves. Comedians and audiences come to the shows for various reasons — to launch a career, to make new friends, to unwind.
Amendolia — who would like to start teaching workshops with Lady Laughs in the future — enjoys learning from others and, as an emerging producer, creating opportunities for other people to get paid to do something they love.
“One of the reasons I started doing comedy was because I wanted people to see me do it and be like, I could do that. I could do what she’s doing,’” she said. “Someone told me, ‘I want to hear what you have to say.’ And that stuck with me.”
“It’s very important that we all remember that we have a voice. That’s why it’s important — even more so now,” she underlined, referring to the challenges marginalized people face in today’s political climate.
“The last few years especially have proven that comedy alone can’t change the world,” Keiser said. “But it can help get us through.”
Lady Laugh Comedy Philly is hosting an anniversary show at 7 p.m. on March 19 at Nikki Lopez, 304 South St. To purchase tickets, visit ticketweb.com.