Wed 8/30- Sun 9/3
Three years have passed since Cleveland comic Mary Santora joined the Accidental Comedy Club, a collective of performers dedicated to building the artistic scene in Cleveland through live comedy shows and other productions.
Today, Santora’s brand has grown from local gigs to regional touring comedian who in the past year has performed in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and Columbus. She’s also helping organize the 6th annual Accidental Comedy Fest, which is moving from Mahall’s into Hilarities 4th Street Theatre in Cleveland.
Headliners this year include Dave Hill, Jak Knight, Dulce Sloan, Ron Funches, Jenny Zigrino, Nick Vatterott, Curtis Cook, Dan Soder, Megan Gailey, Drew Thomas, Bill Squire, David Gborie, Ryan Dalton and Jim Tews.
CoolCleveland talked to comedian Mary Santora about the Accidental Comedy Fest, how she’s grown as a comic and her favorite joke about Cleveland.
Let’s start with the Accidental Comedy Festival, which this year moves into Hilarities. How has the annual affair grown over the years?
This will be the third year I’ve been involved. When Ramon (Rivas II) brought us on, it was at Mahall’s where we did a full weekend. It’s pretty chaotic, and we didn’t really know what we we’re doing, but you kind of learn as you go, doing ticketing and putting in the hours. Now we have the opportunity to have the festival at a place like Hilarities, which is not only a staple in the comedy but it’s a staple in Cleveland. It represents our city, it represents what we’re doing. It’s huge to have it there this year. It’s our hard work and effort put in and now we have their whole staff also on board coordinating it. It’s going to be a really awesome, well-run festival. I’m excited.
What does it mean to the Accidental Comedy Fest to be located in one of the most respected comedy clubs in the country?
Not that it legitimizes it or anything like that, but it’s one of those things where people — all of the A-list acts who come through here — do view it as one of the best clubs in the country. And for all of the collective members of Accidental, that’s our home club. That’s where we started our first guest sets, that’s where we learned how to host, that’s where some of us are starting to headline now. Having it there has an emotional attachment. It’s a really cool thing, and it’s a staple in Cleveland. So is Accidental, that’s what we represent. We are Cleveland. We’re enriching the arts. That’s what we’re dedicated to doing. It’s a perfect fit for it. Hopefully we can sell as many tickets as we can, get as many people possible in there. It’s going to be a really cool with our fan base coming to the Hilarities for the first time, and Hilarities’ fanbase maybe seeing Accidental stuff for the first time.
Now that you’re a touring comedian, what’s the image of not only Cleveland’s comedy scene but specifically the Accidental Comedy Fest?
It’s one of those things where Accidental is definitely starting to get some national recognition. Not only from us putting in the legwork, personally being out and talking about it, but Ramon is doing some great things out in Los Angeles. He’s been on Comedy Central, I’ve seen some pretty famous comedians with our hats on, and I know that’s Ramon handing them out. We’re doing what we can to try to get our name on the map. And it feels like it’s starting to get some traction, which is like overwhelming in a way, but also really, really awesome to know that all of the hard work really pays off.
Personally speaking, you’re starting to tour the country more. Why are doors opening for you?
This year I really just locked down and decided to take more advantage of it and really dedicated myself to getting my name out there. I went from doing one or two shows a week to doing five. Not only are you getting more exposure, but I’m getting better. You start to get more comfortable. You’re putting in your 10,000 hours in.
When was your first open-mic experience?
Feb. 23, 2012 at the University of Toledo.
It’s funny. When talking to comedians, most can recite the exact date they started similar to a recovering alcoholic recounting their last drink.
Right, it changes your life forever.
How have you evolved as a comedian in last half decade?
I’m going on doing it six years now, and I think one of the main differences is that you start to see the world differently and think differently. When I first started out, I talked about what I knew — being a cheerleader in college. Now I’m starting to make more observations about the world around me. Your style might not change. I’ve always been conservational, a more free-flowing type of comedy, and the content has changed. So instead of surface level things, you get to really dig deeper and talk about things that are important to you or just seeing the world differently.
Finally, what’s your best joke about Cleveland?
I use this a lot in my set. I say I get to travel all over the country doing standup and I have a Browns Bud Light koozie I take with me everywhere I go. One time I pulled it out at bar, and a guy was like, “Did you just pull that out of your purse?” I said, “Yeah, it’s my favorite team, my favorite beer. I’m going to rep them no matter where I go.” He was like, “I guess you’re always prepared.” And I’m like, “No, I’m a Cleveland Browns fan. I’m an alcoholic.” That’s probably my favorite Cleveland joke.
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