comedy writer, producer & director
Kate Banford is a collaborative and visionary leader with a decade of experience as an Executive and Artistic Director producing and developing high quality live comedy shows that draw-in and delight passionate audiences.
Bio:
Kate Banford is a comedy writer, creative producer and director based in Los Angeles. She is the founding Executive and Artist Director of the non-profit comedy theater, The Elysian, “a savvy new alternative space” (The New York Times) with “experimental, performer-driven programming” and a “try-anything-once ethos” (LA Times). She was also the co-founder of the highly praised Good Good Comedy Theater in Philadelphia which was named “Best Comedy Theater” by both Philadelphia Magazine and The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2017. Kate has curated live shows for Netflix Is A Joke Fest, showcases for Comedy Central’s Clusterfest, WFMU and IFC’s Comedy Crib.
Prior to and alongside her live producing work, she’s directed and produced video for clients like Smosh, NBC's The Cleaning Lady, Dillon Francis, Food Network, Subaru, Buick, Planned Parenthood, Nick Jr, Hasbro, as well as photoshoots for the advertising agency Digitas Health.
Kate was named a Philadelphian “Shaking Up the City” by Philadelphia Magazine and “Who’s Next in the Arts” by BillyPenn and the Knight Foundation. She has been profiled for PBS’s Movers & Makers, the LA Times, Junior High Magazine among others.
Currently, Kate is writing her first book on Producing A Live Comedy Show and producing the feature film, Sour Minnows (with Smudge Films). In 2024 she directed the live production Smosh: The Sitcom (available on VOD until May 31). Her short film Three Banks is currently in post-production.
Selected Press:
“The quick clip at which Good Good Comedy Theatre has gone from ad hoc scenemaking to actual, realized thing is nothing short of inspiring.”
— Philebrity
“The try-anything-once ethos of the Elysian has led to sold-out, FOMO-inducing shows and the kind of hype that can’t be bought with advertising or marketing.”
— LA Times
“Nevin’s & Banford’s love of comedy, “makes a huge difference” in how performances play out. Because the pair is so involved with performances the venue “feels more personal.”
— Maria Bamford in Philly Inquirer
“Casually inspirational” Interview with Vulture, December 2022
Kate Berlant profile, her solo show at The Elysian The New York Times, August 2022
Female comedy bookers talk about L.A.’s stand-up scene LA Times, August 2022
Interview with Junior High Magazine, July 2022
“experimental, performer-driven programming” LA Times on The Elysian, June 2022
“The Elysian Theater, a savvy new alternative space” The New York Times, May 2022
Notable mention for our “mock protest” of a burger joint LA Times, June 2021
“a new type of club for a fresh generation.” Philadelphia Magazine on Good Good, April 2019
“a level of attentiveness that is unusual for comedy venue owners” Philly Inquirer, Dec 2018
“nothing short of inspiring” Philebrity, November 2016
Affiliations & Awards
Best Comedy Club Best Of Philly, Philadelphia Magazine, December 2017
Best Comedy Theater Philly Readers’ Choice, December 2017
Who’s Next In The Arts Billy Penn, Knight Foundation, September 2016
Kickstarter Staff Pick Good Good, February 2016
Selected Work:
THE ELYSIAN - Launched in October 2021 in Los Angeles. Established the vision, style and curation of the theater to have it dubbed "a savvy new alternative comedy space" by The New York Times.
GOOD GOOD COMEDY THEATER - Launched in October 2016 in Philadelphia. Built the business model, vision, style and curation of the theater. Named "Best Comedy Club" by Philadelphia Magazine in 2017 then later a "Comedy Club Reviver" in 2019.
KATE BERLANT - Produced 40+ sold out shows running from November 2021 through August 2022. The play was directed by Bo Burnham and went on to critical acclaim in its Off-Broadway run.
JERROD CARMICHAEL - Premiered to a sold-out crowd in September 2022 and directed by Bo Burnham. The HBO Special taping was performed only an HOUR after winning an Emmy for ROTHANIEL. He was shirtless and wearing that huge fur coat as seen moments earlier on the awards show stage.
TIM HEIDECKER - Produced the sold-out weeklong work-in-progress run in advance of his 2022 live tour.
FIVE DOLLAR COMEDY WEEK - Launched in August 2014. Co-Founded the weeklong festival of 30+ original concept comedy shows. Heading the artistic vision over 7 festivals from 2014 through 2020, creatively advising over 200+ premieres.
FORGET ABOUT SPAGHETTI FESTIVAL - Premiered in October 2022. Originated, curated and launched the premiere of 17 brand new comedic plays from up-and-coming artists.
DARLINGS - An absurdist sketch comedy group from 2017-2020. Head writer and producer, brought the show to New York Comedy Festival, Blue Heaven Comedy Festival, Philadelphia Fringe Festival and more.
JULIO TORRES - Produced nine productions of My Favorite Shapes in advance of its HBO Special Taping.
JABOUKIE YOUNG-WHITE - Produced his first headlining solo shows which sold out in under five minutes.
VIP: VERY IN PROGRESS - Developed and launched the programming initiative supporting work-in-progress comedy shows. The 2022 & 2023 rosters included Rob Haze, Jordan Temple, Kate Berlant, BIll O'Neill, Amber & Amanda Miller among others.
LAS CULTURISTAS - Live podcast taping with BOWEN YANG & MATT ROGERS plus dozens of guests. Produced in March 2019.
THREE BANKS - A sold-out fundraising show for the short film of the same name featuring CHELSEA PERETTI & PATTI HARRISON.
T A L E N T + C L I E N T S
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T A L E N T + C L I E N T S .
Talent: Julio Torres, Maria Bamford, Aparna Nancherla, Patti Harrison, Mitra Jouhari, Jerrod Carmichael, Kate Berlant, John C. Reilly, Rory Scovel, Ayo Edibiri, Rachel Sennott, Tim Heidecker, Nick Kroll, Fred Armisen, Reggie Watts, Conner O’Malley, John Early, Whitmer Thomas, Atsuko Okatsuka, Mae Martin among others. Full list available upon request.
Clients: Comedy Central, Netflix Is A Joke Festival, IFC Comedy Crib, New York Comedy Festival, Blue Heaven Comedy Festival, Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Frogtown Art Walk and more.