The Vermont Comedy Divas — the nation’s only all-female, touring stand-up comedy troupe — return to the River Garden in Brattleboro on Saturday, March 26 at 8 p.m., in a fund-raising event for Strolling of the Heifers, chainsaw and all.
Founded in 2006, this all-female touring group is a staple of the Vermont comedy scene. They have partnered with non-profits on fund-raising efforts across New England under their charity wing, “Divas Do Good”.
All tickets are $20. Tickets may be purchased online at www.divasvt@brownpapertickets.com or in person at the River Garden, 157 Main Street in Brattleboro (cash only, Mon-Fri 9-5). Suggested age to attend is 16 and up.
The featured Divas (possibly subject to change…) are:
HILLARY BOONE Hillary started in a log cabin in the North East Kingdom of Vermont where she spent a childhood waiting to escape. After traveling the country and some of the world, Hillary is back in her home state, making people laugh. She’s opened for comics such as Deanne Smith, Myq Kaplan, and Al Yountz. She once ate dinner with a hungry Sarah Schaeffer who had no where else to go. Sometimes it’s about being in the right place at the right time. Hillary likes to think that she enjoys a sort of “local fame,” consisting primarily of warm fuzzies when other Burlingtonians quizzically ask, “do I know you from somewhere?” or when anyone comments on her cartoon blog. Her comedy has been described as quirky, likeable, queer and smart, and even “simply delightful” by a local comedy critic. She has been i-spied approximately one times.
JOSIE LEAVITT The founder of the Vermont Comedy Divas, Josie got her start in New York City, playing clubs like Caroline’s and Stand-Up New York. Her comedic stories treat very personal, adult themes in an accessible, universal way. She has performed benefits for the Humane Society, Partners in Adventure, RU12, WBON, and more. She is the co-founder of the Divas Do Good initiative which works to bring comedy shows to not-for-profits with a social mission. Josie has won the Seven Daysies award for best comic in Vermont three times, in 2011, 2014 and then again in 2015. In October 2014, Josie won a Burlington, VT Moth Story Slam. As stand-comedy teacher, Josie has taught well over 300 comics in the last ten years and has worked with incarcerated women and men in 2013. Josie also co-owns the Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne, VT and writes the Shelftalker blog for Publishers Weekly.
SUE SCHMIDT After an extensive career as a mental health counselor and a government manager, Sue decided that her experiences working with humans was too good not to share. Sue started her career as a comedian in the Fall of 2012 and by the end of 2013, had performed shows in venues across the country from Maine to Florida to Anchorage, Alaska. Sue is a member of the Vermont Comedy Divas and the co-founder of the “Divas Do Good” initiative that connects women comedians with nonprofit organizations to help raise funds. Sue has been a featured comedic storyteller at the Boston Women in Comedy Festival, the Green Mountain Comedy Festival. and the Shedot -Toronto Women in Comedy Festival. In 2105 she was voted New England Public Radio Best Storyteller and named the champion and audience favorite at the Extempo “Tell Off.” She is a Moth Slam winner, host and producer. Sue’s newest endeavor “Say IT Forward Productions” brings together comedic storytellers for shows that raise funds for family organizations across New England. Her first two shows “Are We There Yet” and “Paved With Good Intentions” play to sold-out audiences around New England For more info please visit www.Sueschmidtcomedy.com
AUTUMN ENGROFF SPENCER Autumn wanted to be a comic all her life. Four years ago, she finally took the plunge and signed up for comedy-writing class. Since then, she has been performing comedy in Vermont & NY both on her own and as part of the all-female comedy troupe, The Vermont Comedy Divas. She particularly enjoys telling jokes for a good cause. Autumn lives in Burlington with her 2 hilarious children & their handsome dad.
