Comedy Show FAQ |
Laughing Dad Entertainment
Have questions about booking a comedy show? This is the place. Whether you are planning a fundraiser, a corporate event, or a comedy night at your venue, here is everything you need to know about working with Laughing Dad Entertainment.
About Laughing Dad Entertainment
What is Laughing Dad Entertainment?
Laughing Dad Entertainment is a comedy production company based in Southern Indiana. We book and produce professional stand-up comedy shows for corporate events, fundraisers, private parties, venue comedy nights, and community events across Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois.
We are not a talent agency. We are not a booking platform. We are a hands-on production company run by a working comedian with over 20 years of experience on both sides of the microphone.
We are not a talent agency. We are not a booking platform. We are a hands-on production company run by a working comedian with over 20 years of experience on both sides of the microphone.
Who runs Laughing Dad Entertainment?
Laughing Dad Entertainment was founded by Danny Browning, a Southern Indiana comedian and producer with over two decades of headline experience. Danny got his start as house MC at the Evansville Funny Bone, paid his dues on the road, and has shared stages with Norm MacDonald, Tracy Morgan, and Jennifer Coolidge.
He started this company to stay closer to home and ended up building something that produces real shows for real communities across the Midwest. Every event is personally overseen by Danny from booking through performance.
He started this company to stay closer to home and ended up building something that produces real shows for real communities across the Midwest. Every event is personally overseen by Danny from booking through performance.
How is Laughing Dad Entertainment different from just hiring a comedian directly?
When you hire a comedian directly, you get one performer, and you are on your own for everything else. Sound, production, show flow, backup plans, crowd management -- all of that lands on you.
When you work with Laughing Dad Entertainment, you get a full production partner. We handle talent selection, lineup building, sound production, show pacing, and on-site management. You show up and enjoy the show. We handle the rest.
When you work with Laughing Dad Entertainment, you get a full production partner. We handle talent selection, lineup building, sound production, show pacing, and on-site management. You show up and enjoy the show. We handle the rest.
What areas does Laughing Dad Entertainment serve?
Our primary service area covers Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois. We regularly produce shows in Louisville, Evansville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Lexington, and communities throughout the Midwest.
We are based in Southern Indiana and know the Kentuckiana region particularly well, but we travel for the right event. If you are outside our primary footprint, reach out and we will have an honest conversation about whether it makes sense.
We are based in Southern Indiana and know the Kentuckiana region particularly well, but we travel for the right event. If you are outside our primary footprint, reach out and we will have an honest conversation about whether it makes sense.
What kinds of organizations does Laughing Dad Entertainment work with?
We work with a wide range of clients, including corporations, nonprofits, schools, churches, fraternal organizations like Elks lodges, venues, theaters, arts centers, and private event hosts.
If you have an audience and you want a great show, there is a good chance we have produced something similar before. Check out our services page or reach out and tell us what you are planning.
If you have an audience and you want a great show, there is a good chance we have produced something similar before. Check out our services page or reach out and tell us what you are planning.
Comedy Fundraisers
How Does A Comedy Fundraiser Work?
A comedy fundraiser is a ticketed live comedy show where your organization keeps a share of the ticket revenue. Laughing Dad Entertainment provides the talent, handles the production, and manages the show. Your organization handles ticket sales, promotes the event to your audience, and collects the proceeds.
It is one of the most straightforward fundraising models available because the product sells itself. People will buy a ticket to a great comedy show that they would never buy to a gala or a silent auction.
It is one of the most straightforward fundraising models available because the product sells itself. People will buy a ticket to a great comedy show that they would never buy to a gala or a silent auction.
How Much Money Can a Comedy Fundraiser Raise?
That depends on your ticket price, your venue capacity, and how well your organization promotes the event. Organizations we have worked with have raised anywhere from a few thousand dollars to well over ten thousand dollars in a single night.
The groups that do best are those with an engaged community and a clear mission their audience cares about. The comedy brings the crowd. Your cause closes the deal.
The groups that do best are those with an engaged community and a clear mission their audience cares about. The comedy brings the crowd. Your cause closes the deal.
What is the Revenue Split on a Comedy Fundraiser?
Laughing Dad Entertainment operates on a 50/50 revenue-split model for most fundraiser events. Your organization keeps fifty percent of ticket revenue, and we cover talent, production, and show costs from our share.
For faith-based organizations and churches, we also offer a customizable flat-rate option that may work better depending on your event structure. Reach out, and we will walk you through both options.
For faith-based organizations and churches, we also offer a customizable flat-rate option that may work better depending on your event structure. Reach out, and we will walk you through both options.
Do we need to find a venue, or do you handle that?
That is entirely up to you. Many organizations already have a venue in mind, whether that is a church hall, a lodge, a school gymnasium, or a local bar or restaurant. We are happy to work in the space you already have access to.
If you need help finding the right venue for your market, we can make recommendations based on the kind of show you are planning and the crowd size you are expecting.
If you need help finding the right venue for your market, we can make recommendations based on the kind of show you are planning and the crowd size you are expecting.
How many people do we need to make a comedy fundraiser worthwhile?
A well-run comedy fundraiser can work with as few as 75 to 100 people and scale all the way up to several hundred. The sweet spot for most of our fundraiser partners is somewhere between 150 and 300 attendees.
What matters more than raw headcount is having an audience that is genuinely connected to your cause and motivated to show up. A room of 150 engaged supporters will outperform a half-empty room of 400 every time.
What matters more than raw headcount is having an audience that is genuinely connected to your cause and motivated to show up. A room of 150 engaged supporters will outperform a half-empty room of 400 every time.
What types of organizations are a good fit for a comedy fundraiser?
Comedy fundraisers work well for a wide range of organizations, including nonprofits, schools, PTAs, churches and faith communities, youth sports leagues, fraternal organizations, community foundations, and civic groups.
If your organization has a built-in audience and a cause people care about, a comedy fundraiser is worth a serious look. We have produced successful fundraisers for Boy Scout troops, older adult alliances, Catholic schools, and everything in between.
If your organization has a built-in audience and a cause people care about, a comedy fundraiser is worth a serious look. We have produced successful fundraisers for Boy Scout troops, older adult alliances, Catholic schools, and everything in between.
How far in advance should we book a comedy fundraiser?
We recommend booking at least eight to twelve weeks out. That gives you enough runway to promote the event, sell tickets, and build real anticipation in your community.
Booking further out is always better than booking last minute. The best dates and the best talent fill up fast, especially in the fall and spring when fundraiser season peaks across Indiana and Kentucky.
Booking further out is always better than booking last minute. The best dates and the best talent fill up fast, especially in the fall and spring when fundraiser season peaks across Indiana and Kentucky.
Can we sell sponsorships for our comedy fundraiser?
Absolutely, and we encourage it. Sponsorships are one of the most effective ways to increase your fundraiser revenue beyond ticket sales. Local businesses, community partners, and vendors often jump at the chance to get their name in front of a live audience.
We can help you think through sponsorship tiers and how to present them to potential partners. Many of our most successful fundraiser partners have doubled their net revenue by layering sponsorships on top of ticket sales.
We can help you think through sponsorship tiers and how to present them to potential partners. Many of our most successful fundraiser partners have doubled their net revenue by layering sponsorships on top of ticket sales.
Corporate comedy and private events
What makes a good corporate comedy show?
Three things. The right comedian for the room. Clean material that works for a mixed audience. And a producer who has done this enough times to know when something is not working and adjust before it becomes a problem.
Corporate audiences are different from club audiences. They did not all choose to be there. They range in age, background, and sense of humor. A good corporate comedy show accounts for all of that from the first minute to the last.
Corporate audiences are different from club audiences. They did not all choose to be there. They range in age, background, and sense of humor. A good corporate comedy show accounts for all of that from the first minute to the last.
Are Your Comedians Clean?
Yes. All of our corporate shows feature clean, crowd-appropriate material. Our comedians are nationally touring professionals who know how to read a room and keep things moving without going anywhere that makes HR nervous.
Clean does not mean boring. Our shows are genuinely funny. It just means we are not rolling the dice on your company party.
Clean does not mean boring. Our shows are genuinely funny. It just means we are not rolling the dice on your company party.
What size company events do you work with?
We have produced shows for small team gatherings of 30 people and large corporate events with several hundred in attendance. The production scales to fit the event.
If you are not sure whether your event is the right size for a professional comedy show, reach out and we will give you an honest answer. We would rather have that conversation upfront than waste your time.
If you are not sure whether your event is the right size for a professional comedy show, reach out and we will give you an honest answer. We would rather have that conversation upfront than waste your time.
Can you provide entertainment for our corporate Holiday party?
That is one of our most popular requests and one of the things we do best. A comedy show is one of the few holiday party entertainment options that works for every department, every age group, and every level of the company.
We produce holiday comedy shows across Indiana and Kentucky every November and December. Those dates fill up fast, so if you are planning ahead for the holidays, the earlier you reach out, the better.
We produce holiday comedy shows across Indiana and Kentucky every November and December. Those dates fill up fast, so if you are planning ahead for the holidays, the earlier you reach out, the better.
Do you do private events like birthday parties or reunions?
We do. Private events are a smaller part of what we do, but we handle them well. If you are planning a milestone birthday, a class reunion, a retirement party, or any other private gathering where a comedy show would be a memorable centerpiece, we are worth a conversation.
Can you provide an emcee for our event?
Yes. Danny Browning is an experienced emcee who has hosted everything from corporate award ceremonies to large-scale community events. If your event needs someone to hold the room, keep things moving, and handle the unexpected with grace and humor, that is a service we offer.
How do we know the comedian will be right for our audience?
That is exactly the conversation we have before we book anything. We ask questions about your audience, your company culture, your event format, and what you are hoping people walk away feeling.
We have worked with enough different audiences to know that a comedian who kills at a biker rally is not necessarily the right fit for a Catholic school fundraiser. Matching talent to audience is one of the most important things we do.
We have worked with enough different audiences to know that a comedian who kills at a biker rally is not necessarily the right fit for a Catholic school fundraiser. Matching talent to audience is one of the most important things we do.
Venue and Comedy Night Bookings
Can Laughing Dad Entertainment help us start a comedy night at our venue?
Yes, and this is something we have real experience with. We have been producing venue comedy nights for years and understand what it takes to build a night that draws a crowd, keeps them coming back, and makes financial sense for the venue.
We handle talent booking, lineup building, and production. You provide the room and promote to your existing customer base. It is a straightforward partnership and a reliable way to add a new revenue night to your calendar.
We handle talent booking, lineup building, and production. You provide the room and promote to your existing customer base. It is a straightforward partnership and a reliable way to add a new revenue night to your calendar.
What kind of venues work well for comedy nights?
Bars and restaurants with a defined performance space, event rooms, banquet halls, theater-style venues, and lodge halls are all strong candidates for comedy nights.
The most important factors are sightlines, sound management, and a room that can be configured so the audience is focused on the stage. We have produced shows in all kinds of spaces and can give you an honest read on whether your room will work.
The most important factors are sightlines, sound management, and a room that can be configured so the audience is focused on the stage. We have produced shows in all kinds of spaces and can give you an honest read on whether your room will work.
Do you provide sound equipment?
Yes. Professional sound production is part of what Laughing Dad Entertainment brings to every show. You do not need to source a PA system or figure out a sound setup. We handle it.
How often should a venue run a comedy night?
That depends on your market, your audience, and your goals. Monthly is a common starting point for venues that are building a comedy night from scratch. Once you have an established audience, moving to twice monthly or more can make sense.
We will give you an honest recommendation based on your specific situation rather than pushing you toward a schedule that does not fit your venue.
We will give you an honest recommendation based on your specific situation rather than pushing you toward a schedule that does not fit your venue.
What is the Watercooler Comedy Club?
The Water Cooler Comedy Club is a pop-up in-office comedy experience produced by Laughing Dad Entertainment. We bring two professional comedians and full sound production directly to your workplace.
No venue rental. No transportation logistics for your team. Just a great comedy show in your own space, built specifically for workplace audiences. It is currently available in the Louisville and Evansville markets.
No venue rental. No transportation logistics for your team. Just a great comedy show in your own space, built specifically for workplace audiences. It is currently available in the Louisville and Evansville markets.
The Shows Themselves
How long is a typical comedy show?
Most of our shows run between 75 and 90 minutes. Corporate shows are often structured a bit more tightly depending on the event schedule. Fundraiser shows typically run the full 90 minutes to give the audience a complete night out.
We work with you on show length during the planning process so the entertainment fits naturally into your event timeline.
We work with you on show length during the planning process so the entertainment fits naturally into your event timeline.
How many comedians are on the bill?
A standard Laughing Dad Entertainment show features two to three comedians. A typical lineup includes an opener, a feature act, and a headliner. For larger showcase events, we occasionally build four-comedian bills.
The lineup is built based on your audience, your event type, and your budget. We match the format to the show, not the other way around.
The lineup is built based on your audience, your event type, and your budget. We match the format to the show, not the other way around.
What topics do your comedians cover?
Our comedians perform observational, relatable, and character-driven material. Everyday life, family, relationships, work, and the general absurdity of being a human being in the Midwest are common themes.
What you will not get is material that targets specific groups, makes people feel uncomfortable, or goes places that do not belong at a professional event. We vet our talent carefully and know what every comedian on our roster sounds like before they step on your stage.
What you will not get is material that targets specific groups, makes people feel uncomfortable, or goes places that do not belong at a professional event. We vet our talent carefully and know what every comedian on our roster sounds like before they step on your stage.
What if an audience member is uncomfortable with the content?
It rarely happens when shows are produced correctly, and producing shows correctly is our job. We have detailed conversations with clients in advance about audience makeup and content expectations, so there are no surprises on show night.
If you have specific content concerns, bring them up early. We would rather address them in the planning stage than deal with them after the fact.
If you have specific content concerns, bring them up early. We would rather address them in the planning stage than deal with them after the fact.
Can comedy shows work for older audiences or more conservative crowds?
Yes. Some of our most successful shows have been for older adult organizations, churches, and faith communities. Clean comedy is not a lesser version of comedy. It is just comedy that works for everyone in the room.
We have comedians on our roster who are specifically experienced with conservative and faith-based audiences and know how to deliver a genuinely funny show that nobody walks away from feeling uncomfortable.
We have comedians on our roster who are specifically experienced with conservative and faith-based audiences and know how to deliver a genuinely funny show that nobody walks away from feeling uncomfortable.
Booking & Logistics
How do I get started booking a Show?
Head to our booking page at laughingdadent.com/book-your-event and fill out the inquiry form. Tell us a little about your event, your organization, your location, and your timeframe.
From there, we will follow up with a real conversation, not an automated email chain. We ask questions, answer yours, and figure out together whether Laughing Dad Entertainment is the right fit for what you are planning.
From there, we will follow up with a real conversation, not an automated email chain. We ask questions, answer yours, and figure out together whether Laughing Dad Entertainment is the right fit for what you are planning.
Do you list Your Pricing Publicly?
We do not publish set pricing on the website because every event is different. The cost of a show depends on the number of comedians, travel requirements, production needs, and event format.
What we will tell you is that we are transparent about pricing from the first conversation. No runaround, no hidden fees, no surprises when the contract arrives.
What we will tell you is that we are transparent about pricing from the first conversation. No runaround, no hidden fees, no surprises when the contract arrives.
How Far in advance should I book?
For fundraisers and corporate events, eight to twelve weeks is a comfortable lead time. For holiday events, earlier is always better since November and December dates fill up quickly across our entire service area.
We occasionally have availability for shorter-notice bookings depending on the time of year. If your event is coming up fast, reach out anyway, and we will tell you honestly what we can do.
We occasionally have availability for shorter-notice bookings depending on the time of year. If your event is coming up fast, reach out anyway, and we will tell you honestly what we can do.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes. A deposit is required to hold your date and confirm your booking. The deposit amount and payment schedule are outlined clearly in your contract before you sign anything.
We treat every event like a real business arrangement because that is what it is. Clear contracts, clear expectations, and no surprises on either side.
We treat every event like a real business arrangement because that is what it is. Clear contracts, clear expectations, and no surprises on either side.
How far in advance should I book?
In over 20 years of producing shows, Danny has seen just about everything that can go wrong and has handled most of it. Sound issues, late arrivals, venue problems, last-minute changes, all of it gets managed so your guests never know anything happened.
That experience is one of the real advantages of working with a producer who has been doing this as long as Danny has. When something goes sideways, and eventually something always does, you want someone at the helm who has been there before.
That experience is one of the real advantages of working with a producer who has been doing this as long as Danny has. When something goes sideways, and eventually something always does, you want someone at the helm who has been there before.
Still have questions? We have answers! Contact Us.