Hi boo! As you know, we’re lucky to live in a city where you can catch incredible stand-up any night of the week – sometimes watching national headliners test out new material, sometimes seeing your next favorite comic before the rest of the world catches on. LA is full of hard-working, funny women building their own stages, producing shows, and straight-up killing it. Here are a few you should have on your radar.
Dawn Brodey
A comedian with a history degree? We’re already obsessed. Dawn Brodey’s live show HILF: History I’d Like to F*ck is part comedy, part masterclass, and all hilarious. She’s a foul-mouthed historian who’s also appeared on the History Channel, making learning feel like the party it should’ve been. Catch her monthly at Flappers in Burbank (next shows Dec. 4 and Jan. 8) for the funniest history lesson you’ll ever sit through.
Lin Sun
Lin Sun is a charming smart-ass mom with a dash of dark humor. She was featured on The Laugh Factory’s Instagram page, where her video earned over one million views. In October 2023, she released her first one-hour special, Cambodian Renegade, sharing raw, hilarious stories about her family, motherhood, and comedy life. Lin’s mom passed away in 2011, and her last promise to her mom was to live her dreams for both of them and leave a legacy for their family name, “Sun.” See her live and you can watch that promise come true night after night. She also produces Lin Sun and the Renegades shows across LA, featuring many talented local female comics.
Meryl Klemow
Meryl Klemow started performing after taking Lisa Sundstedt’s Pretty Funny Women class in 2019, and she’s been loving the stand up journey ever since. A few vision board items have come to life for her including the Burbank Comedy Festival, the Hell Yes Comedy Fest in New Orleans, performing at The Comedy Store, the Improv, and the Icehouse in Pasadena. Her parents, boyfriend, and long time best friends have seen her do stand up and still want to continue to be in her life (her biggest win!). You’ll often catch her performing with many of the ladies on this list, so feel free to say hi to our lovely comedian ladies or check out her upcoming show dates!
Meryl Klemow: IG
photo by Joey Guzzino
Audrey Stewart
Every show we’ve seen Audrey Stewart perform at ends the same way – with the crowd asking, “Who is that?” She’s a regular at the Hollywood Improv and Laugh Factory, a 2023 Just for Laughs “New Face,” and a 2024 Netflix Is a Joke performer. Her mix of wild crowd work and silly goose off the cuff remarks remind you that comedy is supposed to be fun. Credits include NBC, National Lampoon, Don’t Tell Comedy, and more, but her real magic is how much audiences of all ages and backgrounds instantly adore her.
Audrey Stewart – photo by Van Corona
Maggie’s Mashup
Maggie’s Mashup is exactly what the name promises – a sharp mix of local and national touring stand-up comedians hosted by Maggie Hyde and co-produced by fellow comic and LA scene staple Amanda Michelle. Past lineups have included Morgan Jay, Taquita Love, Jackie Monahan, and Heather Pasternak, with many more strong names in rotation. Beyond putting on a hilarious show, Maggie and Amanda stand out for consistently booking diverse, dynamic lineups, especially spotlighting the LGBTQIA+ community.
SHEnanigans: A Celebration of Funny, Feel-Good & Female-Driven Film and Television
SHEnanigans is an annual comedy showcase and screening series founded in 2024 by circus performer turned filmmaker (yes, you read that right) Katelyn McCulloch. The event, last held at the Skiptown Playhouse in Los Angeles, was born out of a desire to create a space where women in comedy could feel truly celebrated, on screen and off, and where audiences could engage with funny, feel-good, female-driven work in an environment designed for joy, glamour, and community.
For updates on future LA shows and screenings be sure to follow Katelyn on Instagram (@mccullochk) as well as her production company Hey Old Friend. P.S. You can attend the upcoming show here!
photo by SHEnanigans
Samantha Hale
Samantha Hale might look like the girl next door, if the house is on Elm Street. A true horror-comedy queen, she’s the creator and host of Horror Nerd, the monthly horror-themed stand-up show at the Hollywood Improv that’s become a cult favorite. Her special Samantha Hale: Horror Nerd was released by Comedy Dynamics and captures her perfect mix of wit and dark fascination with all things spooky. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Samantha is the granddaughter of Gilligan’s Island’s Skipper, Alan Hale Jr., and the great-granddaughter of actor Alan Hale Sr. She’s performed everywhere from Comic Con to Midsummer Scream to an actual mortuary, proving that in her world, it’s Halloween all year long.
IG: Samantha Hale
Samantha Hale: Horror Nerd on Apple TV
Chloe Detrick
Chloe Detrick is an actress, writer, and comedian in Los Angeles creating a universe of relatable characters and unhinged POVs that have earned her a loyal following on Instagram and TikTok. Beyond her viral sketches, she’s developed several comedy pilots and short scripts inspired by her online personas. Her work has been recognized at multiple comedy festivals, and she continues to build a comedic universe that feels both hilariously unhinged and deeply human.
Chloe’s Comedy Hour: TikTok
Maija DiGiorgio
Maija DiGiorgio is a comedian, filmmaker, and New York-to-Los Angeles transplant whose sharp humor and fearless storytelling have earned her national attention. Her hour special Maija! Maija! Maija! (Comedy Dynamics) was recorded at the Tribeca Film Festival, and her Dry Bar Comedy special Maija Pinion is streaming on Amazon Prime. With more than six million online views and praise from Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, and Time Out New York, Maija continues to stand out as one of comedy’s most original voices.
Maija DiGiorgio – photo by omnipop.com
