The HaHa Report: Kitchen Sink Comedy

***Editor’s Note: Welcome to The HaHa Report, a new column from SaraJo. In it they’ll cover all things comedy-related around the PNW they’d love for you to enjoy or learn about.

Ah, the open mic. All comedy babies’ first step. The watering hole where veteran amateurs and “I’ve always wanted to try” newbies gather to throw cold wet spaghetti (jokes) at a wall (their friends, and bar patrons who did not know this was going on tonight) to see what sticks! 

At its core, the open mic is a place for everyone—yes, everyone—to come in and try new (stand-up only) material. But traditional open mics have a reputation; it’s become synonymous now with dive bars, pool balls clacking over your tight five, and comedians performing sets comprised of hate speech scantily veiled as “just a joke”.

As anyone who’s done it can tell you, putting yourself out there is hard. Very. Hard. Made even harder when done in such an environment...But the moment those laughs are earned, and your comedic voice cracks smirks to smiles and nose huffs to guffaws, you’re intoxicated—and that does something to ya. So, where does a burgeoning, perhaps non-standup, comedian go to harness their voice in a place of safety and low stakes? Kitchen Sink Comedy has entered the chat.

Ian Crowley, Founder of KSC / Jody Bolt

I sat down with Ian Crowley who founded Kitchen Sink Comedy just over a year ago alongside local comedy supernova, Molina Molina. Ian originally moved up to Seattle after graduating from film school. When Crowley and Molina founded Kitchen Sink, they found inspiration, and each other, from The Comedy Nest, a queer friendly, hate-free stand-up open mic hosted at the Jewel Box Theater at The Rendezvous produced by Natalie Holt and Tambre. 

Ian was a regular at the Comedy Nest, where he witnessed the similar absurdity of Molina’s writing. Ian felt a “kinship” with Molina’s style of comedy, which led to their developing what is now the sole open mic in Seattle that features a variety of comedy, from the traditional stand-up, to character sketches, powerpoints, talk shows, newscasts, music and songs, clowning, puppets, and more. “Everything but the kitchen sink,” Molina suggested regarding the variety aspect, which has put this particular open mic on the map for alternative comedians. 

Providing such fertile soil for everything and everyone, naturally, Kitchen Sink Comedy has developed a community of regulars. One regular is local alternative comedian Jone Dehuff, who has honed a style which can’t be easily categorized (perfect for this crowd). Dehuff splices the already razor thin line of stand-up and character work even thinner than before with their use of bizarre observation and audience participation. It’s captivating to watch, and I eagerly await the expansion of their comedic journey.

At Kitchen Sink, the comedians are the priority; their audience knows who they’re going to see and want to show up to support. Patrons who do accidentally stumble upon the show are more curious rather than caught off-guard and annoyed. KSC ensures this environment by both being in the Jewel Box theater, a separate performing area from the rest of the venue, and with the help of friendly volunteers who run the front door.

In some respects, one might say Seattle’s alternative comedy scene reflects a broader cultural narrative, demonstrating how Seattle’s various arts communities value originality, accessibility, and inclusivity, and practice those values through the championing of our weird, odd, eclectic self-expression. Kitchen Sink Comedy is a microcosm of what brands Seattle arts in general as one of the more innovative, collaborative cities for creatives. When asked what we can expect from KSC in the years to come, Crowley said, “More community, more posters, more experimental comedy.” 

Kitchen Sink Comedy’s Open Mic is every Wednesday from 7:30pm-9:30pm at The Rendezvous in Belltown.