2025 IMPACT REPORT
2025 IMPACT REPORT
2025 IMPACT REPORT
OUR MISSION
We believe that comedy can change the world and in sharing our different perspectives, we create a RICHER, BRIGHTER, and more ECLECTIC CULTURAL landscape.
We believe that comedy can change the world and in sharing our different perspectives, we create a RICHER, BRIGHTER, and more ECLECTIC CULTURAL landscape.
The Power of Comedy
The Power of Comedy
As we spotlight underrepresented voices and unique perspectives in our programming, we use the transformative power of comedy and storytelling to create a path to understanding and societal change.
As we spotlight underrepresented voices and unique perspectives in our programming, we use the transformative power of comedy and storytelling to create a path to understanding and societal change.
Building &
Nurturing Creatives
Building &
Nurturing Creatives
Our community-focused educational seminars, performances and networking opportunities create and foster relationships between seasoned creatives and visiting geniuses. Our week-long festival is specifically designed to bridge the gap between industry and rising talent. We nurture professional growth in the comedy world and change it forever as the newest global player.
Our community-focused educational seminars, performances and networking opportunities create and foster relationships between seasoned creatives and visiting geniuses. Our week-long festival is specifically designed to bridge the gap between industry and rising talent. We nurture professional growth in the comedy world and change it forever as the newest global player.
Our community-focused educational seminars, performances and networking opportunities create and foster relationships between seasoned creatives and visiting geniuses. Our week-long festival is specifically designed to bridge the gap between industry and rising talent. We nurture professional growth in the comedy world and change it forever as the newest global player.
Providing a Platform
Providing a Platform
We are committed to providing a platform for the excellent and innovative voices with programming that is designed to assist these underrepresented voices by offering them access to industry professionals, untapped audiences, and greater reach.
We are committed to providing a platform for the excellent and innovative voices with programming that is designed to assist these underrepresented voices by offering them access to industry professionals, untapped audiences, and greater reach.
We are committed to providing a platform for the excellent and innovative voices with programming that is designed to assist these underrepresented voices by offering them access to industry professionals, untapped audiences, and greater reach.
“
Bergamot Comedy Fest (BCF) gave me my first real chance to showcase my abilities in front of industry actively looking to work with new talent.
The festival is fun and educational, but most importantly it offers emerging comics the rare opportunity to be seen by industry.
BCF led to me signing with management and countless career opportunities. After the festival, performing comedy professionally felt possible.
Ellis Jones
Bergamot Comedy Fest '25 Comic
“
Bergamot Comedy Fest (BCF) gave me my first real chance to showcase my abilities in front of industry actively looking to work with new talent.
The festival is fun and educational, but most importantly it offers emerging comics the rare opportunity to be seen by industry.
BCF led to me signing with management and countless career opportunities. After the festival, performing comedy professionally felt possible.
Ellis Jones
Bergamot Comedy Fest '25 Comic
“
Bergamot Comedy Fest (BCF) gave me my first real chance to showcase my abilities in front of industry actively looking to work with new talent.
The festival is fun and educational, but most importantly it offers emerging comics the rare opportunity to be seen by industry.
BCF led to me signing with management and countless career opportunities. After the festival, performing comedy professionally felt possible.
Ellis Jones
Bergamot Comedy Fest '25 Comic
Advancement for marginalized voices
The 2nd annual Bergamot Comedy Festival showcased a lineup that amplified female-identifying, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ talent, and commonly unheard, unique perspectives with 93% of our performers representing these communities.
93% TOTAL
marginalized voices
70%
of our lineup was female
23%
of the comics identified as straight, cisgender males
“
Performing at the Bergamot Comedy Fest gave me the opportunity to make friends, get industry contacts, learn the business side of comedy from the fest's many panels and more specifically, be seen by Beth Stelling who then booked me at Largo, a difficult club to get into, which snowballed into being seen by the Largo owner who then started booking me for other shows.
Performing at the Bergamot Comedy Fest gave me the opportunity to make friends, get industry contacts, learn the business side of comedy from the fest's many panels and more specifically, be seen by Beth Stelling who then booked me at Largo, a difficult club to get into, which snowballed into being seen by the Largo owner who then started booking me for other shows.
Nina Nguyen
Bergamot Comedy Fest '24 Comic
From Small Stage to Big Reach
From Small Stage to Big Reach
2024 Highlights
2024 Highlights
39
PAID Artists & Creatives
PAID Artists & Creatives
61
UNPAID Artists, Creatives & Arts Producers
UNPAID Artists, Creatives & Arts Producers
34
Educators & Hollywood Industry Executives
Educators & Hollywood Industry Executives
48
Volunteers
Volunteers
2025 Highlights
2025 Highlights
33
PAID Artists & Creatives
PAID Artists & Creatives
63
UNPAID Artists, Creatives & Arts Producers
UNPAID Artists, Creatives & Arts Producers
53
Educators & Hollywood Industry Executives
Educators & Hollywood Industry Executives
27
Volunteers
Volunteers
358 TOTAL
358 TOTAL
LIVES IMPACTED IN TWO YEARS
LIVES IMPACTED IN TWO YEARS
1,501 Meals Provided
We hired and paid for food from a Female Black Owned Food Truck - HotVille Chicken, a Female Latinx Food Truck - Guerilla Tacos, a Latinex Food Truck - 5 Elementos, Santa Monica local spots; Bay Cities Italian Deli, Emmy Squared Pizza, Vito’s Pizza, Milo & Olive, Birdie G’s, and Sweet Rose Creamery. We provided all this food for our performers, staff, and industry educators and guests so they could eat for free while participating in the fest. We served over 1000 meals throughout the week!
“
This was one of the most amazing experiences I've had, not just in comedy but in life. It felt like a magical week where comedy was my full time job.
The festival felt like a week of comedy college with a summer camp twist. I met so many incredible people and learned so much.
The educational panels were fantastic. Emilie Laford and Brian Baldinger from The Comedy Store stood out with clear, valuable advice that made me feel supported as I work toward bigger clubs.
Ainsley Bailey
Bergamot Comedy Fest '24 Comic
“
This was one of the most amazing experiences I've had, not just in comedy but in life. It felt like a magical week where comedy was my full time job.
The festival felt like a week of comedy college with a summer camp twist. I met so many incredible people and learned so much.
The educational panels were fantastic. Emilie Laford and Brian Baldinger from The Comedy Store stood out with clear, valuable advice that made me feel supported as I work toward bigger clubs.
Ainsley Bailey
Bergamot Comedy Fest '24 Comic
“
This was one of the most amazing experiences I've had, not just in comedy but in life. It felt like a magical week where comedy was my full time job.
The festival felt like a week of comedy college with a summer camp twist. I met so many incredible people and learned so much.
The educational panels were fantastic. Emilie Laford and Brian Baldinger from The Comedy Store stood out with clear, valuable advice that made me feel supported as I work toward bigger clubs.
Ainsley Bailey
Bergamot Comedy Fest '24 Comic
Audience & Community Members Reached
Audience & Community Members Reached
2024 Highlights
2024 Highlights
554
Audience members to comedy shows
771
Audience members for free educational panels
1,325
Total audience and community reached
2025 Highlights
2025 Highlights
934
Audience members to comedy shows
825
Audience members for free educational panels
1,759
Total audience and community reached
2025 Financing & Funding
2025 Financing & Funding
Budget Allocation
34% Staff
3% Other
19% Artists
12% Food
5% Materials
27% Marketing
$64,653.41
Total budget we spent
Sponsors
Sponsors
Want to see your name on this list next year? Sponsor or donate today.
Press and Media
Press and Media
It’s still hard for certain voices to get onstage and be showcased,” says L.A.’s Jeffrey Jay. “Bergamot is going to lift you up, bring [the] industry to you and allow you to be seen without shame, without the idea of, ‘We want you to be more like ‘this.’ “We all have different voices, and we’ve all got an even playing field. ...
It’s still hard for certain voices to get onstage and be showcased,” says L.A.’s Jeffrey Jay. “Bergamot is going to lift you up, bring [the] industry to you and allow you to be seen without shame, without the idea of, ‘We want you to be more like ‘this.’ “We all have different voices, and we’ve all got an even playing field. ...
It’s still hard for certain voices to get onstage and be showcased,” says L.A.’s Jeffrey Jay. “Bergamot is going to lift you up, bring [the] industry to you and allow you to be seen without shame, without the idea of, ‘We want you to be more like ‘this.’ “We all have different voices, and we’ve all got an even playing field. ...
READ MORE
The BCF is also putting a special focus on the showcasing of female-identifying, IPOC and LGBTQ talent. A rigorous selection process made sure the pool of performers was diverse - 50% female and non-binary identifying in the end ...
The BCF is also putting a special focus on the showcasing of female-identifying, IPOC and LGBTQ talent. A rigorous selection process made sure the pool of performers was diverse - 50% female and non-binary identifying in the end ...
The BCF is also putting a special focus on the showcasing of female-identifying, IPOC and LGBTQ talent. A rigorous selection process made sure the pool of performers was diverse - 50% female and non-binary identifying in the end ...
READ MORE
I feel like this really hits with what Bergamot Station Arts Center was made to be," Blaine said. "It [is] supposed to be a collective of community, celebrating the arts, and there is supposed to be programming here that is free, that is vibrant, and that represents the voices from all ...
I feel like this really hits with what Bergamot Station Arts Center was made to be," Blaine said. "It [is] supposed to be a collective of community, celebrating the arts, and there is supposed to be programming here that is free, that is vibrant, and that represents the voices from all ...
I feel like this really hits with what Bergamot Station Arts Center was made to be," Blaine said. "It [is] supposed to be a collective of community, celebrating the arts, and there is supposed to be programming here that is free, that is vibrant, and that represents the voices from all ...
READ MORE
Over the last two years since the Crow opened, Blaine has made it the community-oriented venue's mission to amplify underrepresented voices of female-identifying, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ talent. To do so, she decided to work backwards. If there weren't enough ...
Over the last two years since the Crow opened, Blaine has made it the community-oriented venue's mission to amplify underrepresented voices of female-identifying, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ talent. To do so, she decided to work backwards. If there weren't enough ...
Over the last two years since the Crow opened, Blaine has made it the community-oriented venue's mission to amplify underrepresented voices of female-identifying, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ talent. To do so, she decided to work backwards. If there weren't enough ...
READ MORE
The BCF is also putting a special focus on the showcasing of female-identifying, IPOC and LGBTQ talent. A rigorous selection process made sure the pool of performers was diverse - 50% female and non-binary identifying in the end ...
The BCF is also putting a special focus on the showcasing of female-identifying, IPOC and LGBTQ talent. A rigorous selection process made sure the pool of performers was diverse - 50% female and non-binary identifying in the end ...
The BCF is also putting a special focus on the showcasing of female-identifying, IPOC and LGBTQ talent. A rigorous selection process made sure the pool of performers was diverse - 50% female and non-binary identifying in the end ...
READ MORE
Borowsky and the comedians on site attempted to build 300 boxes during the afternoon session, part of a mental health focused day for the entertainers run by Comedy Gives Back. The nonprofit teamed with Crow Founder Nicole Blaine to bring FYA ...
Borowsky and the comedians on site attempted to build 300 boxes during the afternoon session, part of a mental health focused day for the entertainers run by Comedy Gives Back. The nonprofit teamed with Crow Founder Nicole Blaine to bring FYA ...
Borowsky and the comedians on site attempted to build 300 boxes during the afternoon session, part of a mental health focused day for the entertainers run by Comedy Gives Back. The nonprofit teamed with Crow Founder Nicole Blaine to bring FYA ...
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Comedy Reflects Our World
Comedy Reflects Our World
Crow Comedy Inc. 501c3
Crow Comedy Inc. 501c3
Founded in 2022
Founded in 2022
Crow Comedy Inc. provides a platform for expression, healing, and social progress through comedy. We empower people through joy and laughter, ensuring access for those whose stories might otherwise go untold.
You'll find The Crow nestled in the historic Bergamot Station Arts Center among twenty arts galleries and adjacent to the 26th Street/Bergamot Metro Stop.
The Crow welcomes all who welcome all.
Nicole Blaine | Founder of The Crow
Learn More: www.comedyreflectsourworld.org
Learn More: www.comedyreflectsourworld.org
Learn More: www.comedyreflectsourworld.org
See our partnership pitch deck PDF
See our partnership pitch deck PDF
“I feel passionate about educational opportunities for the public because it is helping more than the lucky few that get in,” Blaine says. “That’s a hole I wanted to fill that wasn’t fair about other festivals, that you have to be chosen to learn. I don’t want to be a gatekeeper to education. Anyone who wants to learn should be able to. So making things more equitable is a way to help change the local scene for the better.”
“Over the last two years since the Crow opened, Blaine has made it the community-oriented venue’s mission to amplify underrepresented voices of female-identifying, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ talent. To do so, she decided to work backwards. If there weren’t enough voices from marginal groups, they required the same access to stage time and professional stand-up education.”
— NICOLE BLAINE (FOUNDER OF THE CROW)
— Los Angeles Times
Submissions
Join Our Newsletter
© 2025 Bergamot Comedy Fest | Branding & Design by One Blue Cat Studio
Bergamot Station Arts Center
Santa Monica, CA
Comedy Reflects Our World is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. Tax ID: 88-2451487
Crow Comedy Inc. Female/Mom led and operated.
Submissions
Join Our Newsletter
© 2025 Bergamot Comedy Fest | Branding & Design by One Blue Cat Studio
Bergamot Station Arts Center
Santa Monica, CA
Comedy Reflects Our World is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. Tax ID: 88-2451487
Crow Comedy Inc. Female/Mom led and operated.
Submissions
Join Our Newsletter
© 2025 Bergamot Comedy Fest | Branding & Design by One Blue Cat Studio
Bergamot Station Arts Center
Santa Monica, CA
Comedy Reflects Our World is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. Tax ID: 88-2451487
Crow Comedy Inc. Female/Mom led and operated.