DCF 2016: A Week to Remember

The best week of the year has officially come and gone.

The 7th Annual Dallas Comedy Festival was one for the books. It absolutely would not have been possible without the help and support of many individuals.

And so, now that our hangovers have subdued and before our memories fade to the stuff of legend, we want to take a moment to recap the week and thank those who made it possible:

Our Performers
We had over 100 acts perform at this year's festival. More than 200 acts submitted, which means those who did perform were the cream of the crop - the best of the best. They delivered. Thank you to all the performers - the stand-ups, sketch shows, and improv teams - who put on phenomenal shows, traveled near and far, and hung out with us over the course of the week. You are insanely talented and we feel lucky to have hosted you.

Our Headliners
To Frank Caeti - You are and always will be a Dallas Comedy Favorite. The way you attack the stage and inspire in as an instructor gives us all something to aspire to. Thank you for being you.

To Ithamar Enriquez - Your ability to transform into any character before our eyes was absolutely stunning. You are a comedy force and it was wonderful to see you perform on Friday and Saturday nights. Thank you for sharing some of your brilliance with us.

To The Katydids - You are some of the kindest, sweetest, most talented actors we have the pleasure of knowing. Watching you perform together was such a treat: you have such an incredible chemistry. It was wonderful to meet you and to learn from you. Thank you for being such strong, hilarious, women in the world of comedy and television.

Our Volunteers
Fifty volunteers made this week possible. From moving tables and chairs and stuffing swag bags before the festival began, to ensuring we had toilet paper and friendly faces to answer questions during the show - they came early, stayed late, and made this week possible. They navigated challenges and made everything run smoothly. Thank you.

Our Photographers
A picture is worth a thousand words... and these pictures are worth a million "thank you's." Each of you (Allie, Jason, & Nkechi), have such a gift. You gave all of the performers new profile pictures, and for that, we are grateful. (Check out their work on our Facebook page: Night One (Tuesday), Night Two (Wednesday), Night Three (Thursday), Night Four (Friday), ​Night Five (Saturday)

Our Techs
Behind every great show is a great tech. Mic checks, music, lights - you make our theaters feel like a million bucks. Thank you for making every show run smoothly. 

Our Bar Staff
You sold 1,131 JELL-O shots. That's ridiculous. You hustled and bused and made drinks like crazy. Thank you for the extra time and effort you put in to making this week a success. 

Our Live Tweeters
Y'all are funny as hell in 140 characters or less. Thank you for seeing more shows than anyone, for being super witty, and making us all chuckle #Ashley #Nick

Our Sponsors
Dallas Comedy House, Dallas Observer, Halo de Santo, Lakewood Brewery, Minuteman Press Deep Ellum, PIP Insurance, Pop TV, Uncle Ubers: Thank you for supporting this year's Dallas Comedy Festival. You made it possible and, for that, we are eternally grateful.

Everyone Who Saw Shows
This festival is for you. Thank you for laughing with us.

To the "Behind the Scenes Dream Team" 
(This is Amanda now, I've hijacked this entry.) Cesar Villa, you spent way more hours than I can calculate working behind the scenes to make sure everything with our tech systems ran effortlessly. Thank you for giving so much of your time and talents to up the game for us at the theater. Grant Redmond, I dream up all these projects in my head and you are able to execute them  safer, cheaper, timelier and with a better attitude than anyone else I could ever hire. This place wouldn't be the same without you. Also, thanks for giving me all your left over fried okra when I needed to stress eat. Brian Harrington, you took over a position during one of the busiest seasons of the year and have far exceeded my expectations. I don't worry about anything when you're in charge because I know you've got it handled. Thank you. Thank you all. Your handwork and dedication does not go unnoticed. 

And to Maggie Rieth-Austin
(This is still Amanda). You are the queen of logistics, you are eternally optimistic, and one of the best things to ever happen to DCH. Thank you for everything you did to make this festival so amazing and for doing it with such grace, ease, and an infectious amount of joy. There's no way this festival would have run so smoothly without your presence. Thank you. <3 

Looking forward to #DCF2017!