Comedy scene emerging in Havre

Comics from around the state are recognizing Havre as a good place for comedy after years of Havre comedians building a network.

Last month, local and visiting stand-up comedians did back-to-back comedy shows at the Great Northern Fair and at the Boxcars Restaurant and Bar. These shows were just two of the events that the local comedians in Havre have organized in recent years.

The local comics have built a network with comedians from Bozeman, Helena, Billings and Missoula, putting Havre in the comedy circuit.

The local comedians have also built up an audience of patrons to their own shows over the years.

Havre comedian Paul Verity, who organized the two recent events, said he has been an active comedian for about a year, and he has done nine shows in Havre and surrounding areas.

Verity credited James Carden of Havre for his efforts in motivating local comedians and organizing shows.

Carden said he had worked as a comic for many years, starting when he drove to Billings for an open mic night. He said what had motivated him to pursue comedy were times with his friends when he would tell them a joke.

Some of Cardin’s first shows were at the Eagles Club, he said.

People in Havre enjoy comedy, he added.

If people want to get into comedy, he said, they should pick up a microphone every chance they have because there is always a demand for more comics.

“My advice for young comics would be to make yourself available when there is an opportunity to be in front of a microphone — doesn’t have to be a traditional place for comedy,” Carden said. “Like grab a microphone at like a karaoke night or a wedding toast or just any time you’re available to tell jokes in front of people.”

He added that friends are one of the best audiences for starting to practicing comedy.

One of the newest additions to the local comedians is Lindsay Ratliff, who performed her third time July 19 at the fair.

She said she had previously gone to a comedy class in Missoula a few summers ago.

Ratliff said she enjoys the creativity and the energy of the environment of comedy, and enjoys the writing process as well as listening to other comedians’ acts.

She added that she really appreciates Carden and Verity for their efforts to get a comedy group together.

Some of the comedians from out of town said that they enjoy doing shows in Havre, and they plan to do more in the future.

Billings comedian Will Thomas Jr. said he has done a few comedy shows in Havre in the past and it is a fantastic town and a good place for a crowd. He added that he plans to be back in Havre for another show in this month.

Conor Roma, winner of the Montana Comedy Competition in 2013, and Hunter Coleman said they enjoy doing comedy shows in Havre and were surprised with how many people come out in Havre for the comedy show.

Roma said he had worked with Verity in the May fundraiser for the Great Northern Fair as well as three other shows in Havre in the past.

Thomas said he was originally from New York City but has lived in Billings for more than a decade. The most important part of comedy for the comedian, he said, is to stay true to one’s self and remember that it’s not about the comedian but the audience. The best advice he said he had for emerging comedians is to “keep smiling.”

He said he been all over the country for comedy acts, including Los Angeles, Spokane, cities in North Dakota and many others.

Roma said comedy was something that he always wanted to try. He finally started shortly after his mother had passed away.

He said for emerging comics, “you have to be willing to work the bad shows and take the licks.”

He added that after a while he learned to like the bad shows because it was a learning experience.

Roma also has traveled nationally for comedy shows such as Chicago, Colorado and others.

Coleman, a Billings comedian originally from Great Falls, said he always knew that he wanted to be on stage and found his way into comedy through an open mic.

After three years of experience performing comedy, he said the best advice he has for young comedians is to work at it every day and to watch as many comedy routines, even when they stop getting funny, for research how an act should be done and see what does and doesn’t work.

“You can’t quit,” Coleman said.

He added that he will be in Havre for another show Sept. 28.

For more information go on the Havre Montana Comedy Night Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Havre-Montana-Comedy-Night-1606122856312711/.