Sam Brown (Los Angeles, CA)

is an American actor, comedian, writer and founding member of the sketch comedy TV series “The Whitest Kids U’ Know” on IFC. Currently living in Los Angeles, Sam is best known for his work on for The Whitest Kids U’Know, The Civil War on Drugs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Trailer: Entourage Parody.

STEENK (Los Angeles, CA)

was founded by Eli Lutsky and David Kane when they found it growing under the sink. Live sketch comedy for the price of your sanity. Steenk is a scream of consciousness. Ahh!

Improvhi (Honolulu, HI)

is the first child to #hisketchfest founder Kimee Balmilero. Primarily an improv comedy troupe, Improvhi also produces live sketch shows and original comedy videos throughout the year.

Goof Troop Riot (Honolulu, HI)

is a lively mashup of various improv and sketch performers on Oahu. Goof Troop was named the very first HISF Start Up Team in 2015 and performed to a nearly sold out crowd last year at The Honolulu Museum of Art. Goof Troop Riot is: Trevor Danielson, Jasmine Fernandez, Jose Ver, Sheldon Lo, Sean Koegel, Anthony Silano, Micheline McManus, Tom McManus

Fernando Pacheco (Honolulu, HI)

was born and raised on the island of Oahu. Growing up on a dairy, the first thing he wanted to be was a cow. He has not achieved this goal.

Although many music fans know him from his work with the bands Go Jimmy Go and PIMPBOT, he is also easily recognized as the host of Almost Local on OC16. After entertaining radio listeners for over a decade, fans continue to hear his voice on the Hudson & Scotty B morning show on KUCD Star 101.9 FM and Fernando’s Walk of Shame podcast.

Beet Box (Honolulu, HI)

has been writing sketches and performing improv together since September 2015. Like all great things, Beet Box was born out of the Oahu improv community. As the 2016 HISF Start Up Team, Beet Box will work with a professional writing mentor in Los Angeles via web conferencing once a week. Their goal will be to produce at least 2 live sketches and 2 original videos. Catch them on March 31st for our opening night show, “Live in Honolulu!”

Featured Videos

Rap Reiplinger (Honolulu, HI)

was a Hawaiian comedian, whose humor is an integral part of Hawaii today. After attending Punahou School, he began performing professionally. In 1974 he helped create the comedy ensemble Booga Booga with James Grant Benton and Ed Ka'ahea. In 1982 he received an Emmy Award and bronze medal from the International Film and Television Festival of New York for "Most Outstanding Television Production" for his TV special "Rap's Hawaii", which he wrote and starred in. (video footage courtesy of Mountain Apple Co.)

Rachel Bloom (Los Angeles, CA)

is an American actress, comedian and writer, best known for creating, writing and playing the lead role of Rebecca Bunch in The CW comedy-drama series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, for which she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy^[4] and a Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.^[5] She created the Hugo Award-nominated music video “Fuck Me, Ray Bradbury”.

J.Elaine Marcos (Los Angeles, CA)

is an eight time Broadway actress/comedian. Favorite roles: Lily St. Regis in Annie opposite Jane Lynch, scene stealing Cynthia in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Connie in A Chorus Line. TV: 30 Rock, Law & Order. FILM: St. Vincent, Before I Disappear, Morning Glory. www.facebook.com/jelainemarcos/ for more comedy and stuff.

Orig Media (Honolulu, HI)

is a Honolulu based film, TV, and video production company. We currently produce two TV shows on OC16. Plus, we create commercials, corporate, and event films.

Jeremy Belanger (Los Angeles, CA)

is originally from Chino, CA, and nearly used a half a tank of gas on his sojourn to Los Angeles to become a writer and director. Jeremy studied screenwriting at Chapman University, though he wished he studied bio writing. His sketch team, The Mutiny, has performed at Chicago Sketchfest and San Francisco Sketchfest. His work have been featured on Tosh.0, MTV.com, and The Huffington Post. He is currently writing for Yahoo’s Superfan. Jeremy can also be seen every Friday night on his couch, eating cheese.

Chris Lind (Honolulu, HI)

Honolulu’s Manifold Magazine writes about Chris Lind, “His soft and indie approach to love songs make the chickies swoon. Think Ray LaMontagne meets John Mayer.” A few years after catching fire with his singles “What Is Not Yours” and “A Story of US” – which were featured in two episodes of The CW show “Smallville” – and his debut EP Home, the soulful-voiced Lind takes a long look at the colorful history of where he’s been with his upcoming EP Stay. Even before the “Smallville” breakthrough, Lind was earning high praise from various media outlets. Peter Aaron of Chronogram Magazine compared Lind favorably to two of his top influences: “A dazzling singer-songwriter a la Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake.” Growing a loyal fan base over 10 years in NYC with regular performances in Los Angeles and Honolulu, Lind has also opened for John Cruz and the legendary Michael McDonald. While he’s enjoyed his recent relocation to his father’s hometown of Honolulu, he’s looking forward – with the recent release of his single “Drive” and an up-coming move to LA – to performing at more venues throughout the U.S.

Chris is the special musical guest for the “Live from Honolulu” show on March 31st at The Honolulu Museum’s Doris Duke Theatre. chrislindmusic.com

(live music sponsored by Let Them Eat Cupcakes)