SF Sketchfest is back and bigger than ever! Officially beginning on Friday, January 20th, for two weeks San Francisco will be absolutely flooded with a talented and diverse medley of over 100 of the most talented comedians, celebrities, and podcast hosts. This remarkably-beloved tradition will bless the city with legendary names like David Cross, Bruce Campbell, Joel Kim Booster, Cheech & Chong, Fred Armisen, and more, all to commemorate 2023 being the SF Sketchfest's 20-year anniversary.
Initiated in 2002 at Shelton Theatre by three friends David Owen, Cole Stratton, and Janet Varney simply seeking to uplift and showcase six Bay Area sketch groups, their local community gathering has triumphantly grown exponentially over the years to now earning nationwide prestige as a can't-miss occasion available only in San Francisco.
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Having accrued not only an inspirational and trailblazing reputation, but also countless rich stories and fond inimitable memories now at their two-decade milestone, Janet, Cole, and David only powerfully continue to foster SF Sketchfest's prominence, postivity, and heartening impact.
We had the brilliant chance to speak with these visionary founders and inquire on what this year means to them, their future plans, and just how integral San Francisco's distinct culture is to the extravaganza's identity.
Hello, it's great to meet you terrific trio! We'd love to first know- how does it feel to be celebrating two decades of SF Sketchfest? Especially through challenging times like Covid?
Cole Stratton: We're excited (and relieved) to finally be able to celebrate that 20th milestone -- we were always optimistic that we'd be able to do another festival, but with COVID looming large, we were unsure if and when that would happen. It's always magical to get people together in a room to experience live comedy, and we look forward to seeing all of our favorite comedians and friends and those great Bay Area audiences that have made it possible to continue to put this on.
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How does it feel to see SF Sketchfest grow to such national prestige and witness certain comics achieve "tribute" or "legendary" status now?
Cole Stratton: It's incredibly surreal -- in our minds we're still just comedy nerds who met in college and decided to put on a show, and we're still in disbelief over what it has become. It's gratifying to see so many comics who were with us in the early days doing shows in small venues grow in stature to headlining at theaters all over the world -- and still coming back often to take part.
Phoebe Robinson was one of our emerging comics, who years later we were paying tribute to. We gave Demetri Martin his first headlining gig in the Bay Area. The Tenderloins did sketches with us when we had just a lone venue, and now those guys have filled up stadiums. These are just a few of the amazing people who have graced our stages throughout the years, and we look forward to hosting them all for several more!
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Why do you think the San Francisco Bay Area is such fertile ground for comedy, either for blossoming performers or for the large fan bases?
Janet Varney: Comedy has been part of the San Francisco’s DNA for decades. And I think that lives inside the Bay Area's great legacy of the fostering and celebrating of the arts, from classic to experimental, across socioeconomic and cultural expanses.
We just feel lucky to be a part of that in some small way. One of the things performers always remark upon is how utterly fantastic the audiences are at SF Sketchfest. It was true when we started the fest over twenty years ago, and it’s true today!
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What have been your favorite memories and rewarding moments with SF Sketchfest?
Janet Varney: There are kind of too many to count! And I do think that’s because Cole, David and I truly have never gotten over how fortunate we are to be able to do what we love. In year two, we couldn’t believe Fred Willard was performing at the fest. In early years that followed, we couldn’t believe members of Mystery Science Theatre, The Upright Citizens Brigade, The State, The Kids in the Hall, Mr. Show all came to perform. We couldn’t believe we got to show “Harold and Maude” with Bud Cort at The Castro. They’re all “Is this really happening?” moments.
More recently, we couldn’t believe we got to pay tribute to legends like Carol Burnett. We never take anything for granted, and we love working with each other and our incredible staff.
Who do you hope to see at SF Sketchfest in the future?
David Owen: I hope to see happy, laughing audiences in a covid-free world. One can hope. Regarding performers, we have a long wish list of people we still hope to get to the festival. We don't like to jinx it by saying those names out loud. Imagine the funniest people on the planet who have not yet come to SF Sketchfest. Those people.
Last but not least! Do you have any advice for budding comics?
David Owen: Keep trying and don't be afraid to fail. Failure to make an audience laugh is part of the process and it's how performers get better and learn what not to do. For group performers, like sketch and improv groups, surround yourself with people who make you laugh and who make you a better performer.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful answers, we truly can't wait to experience everything this esteemed year has in store, as well as track SF Sketchfest's illustrious future!
To obtain a full breakdown of their 17-day festivities, be sure to visit their carefully organized schedule here.
See also: 6 Underground Bay Area Indie Bands To Discover And Fall In Love With
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Photography by: Courtesy of Jakub Mosur
