Rules

Contest Categories
Fresh Faces
  • First time comedians
  • May have performed stand up before in a social setting
  • May have received compensation for their comedy via pass the hat, or beer and a meal.
  • May have received compensation for performance at YXE Fringe Festival 2021
Up and Coming
  • Has not performed in a paid capacity (agreed price / signed contract) at a comedy festival (i.e. Winnipeg comedy Festival.
  • Has not been a paid performer in a showcase.
  •  May have done an independent comedy tour.
  • May not have performed in a paid capacity for a national comedy company as an opener, middle or host. (i.e. Yuk Yuk’s excluding YXE)
  • Must not be, or have been represented by an agency or agent
  • Must not have received more than $3000 in remuneration from comedy in any single calendar year.
General Contest Rules
  1. All material must be the original work of the performer
  2. Language and content restrictions are in place.
    1. Be TV clean. (not cable but broadcast)
    2. Profanity is not allowed.
    3. Overtly sexist or racist material is not allowed.
  3. Comics must clearly state which category they are competing in. (see next page)
  4. Sets can be no more than 10 minutes in length
    1. A light flash will appear at 8 minutes
    2. A second light will appear at 9 minutes 
    3. At 10 minutes the mic will be cut off.
  5. Performers must commit to performing at least 2 sets at The Comedy Pit to be eligible for the contest.
  6. Comics retain the copyright to all material, though The Comedy Pit may use samples and images for promotional purposes.
  7. The organizers will provide basic staging, and sound.  If a routine requires specific audio visual support it is the responsibility of the artist to provide those elements and any required operators.  The organizers will make every effort to accommodate, but elements that create an undue burden on the show or other artists may be refused.
  8. Winners will be decided by the organizers and/or their representatives
  9. Video Recording is allowed
  10. Non-Flash photography is allowed.
  11. Comics wishing to be considered for the contest must submit their routines via one of the following methods via thecomedypit@shaw.ca
    1. Private / Public Youtube channel link.
    2. Link to a web sharing service capable of playing content.
    3. Link to a comedian’s personal website / blog / podcast
  12. Submissions must be received by Noon on January 31st, 2022
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Last Updated September 2021