Laugh Factory Hollywood’s Maria Rizkalla shares how the legendary stage has propelled comedy’s brightest stars while cultivating a vibrant, inclusive community.
Step inside Laugh Factory Hollywood, where legendary comedians and rising stars alike ignite the stage with laughter, creating an electric atmosphere that makes every seat in the house feel like the front row. Since opening its doors on Sunset Boulevard in 1979, the Laugh Factory has grown into a comedy powerhouse with seven locations across the country, including Chicago, Las Vegas, and San Diego.
We sat down with Maria Rizkalla, who manages talent and show scheduling at Laugh Factory Hollywood, to chat about the iconic venue’s influence on the comedy scene and how it has also fostered a legacy of inclusivity and community engagement.
Tell us a bit about the history behind Laugh Factory Hollywood.
Laugh Factory opened in 1979 during a boycott resulting from established clubs’ lack of talent compensation. Our founder, Jamie Masada, saw how upset comedians were and offered to pay them out of cover charges the new club might take in. With help from comedians and other industry members, the club opened and immediately attracted top-tier talent like Richard Pryor, who performed on opening night.
Since then, Laugh Factory has been a hub for comedy worldwide, not only showcasing the best in the world on its iconic stage but also being a place they call home.
How would you describe Laugh Factory's role in shaping the careers of both emerging and established comedians?
As a club, Laugh Factory Hollywood is a stop at all stages of comedians’ journeys. Established comics come to break new material, while emerging ones come to find a break of their own. It’s incredibly exciting both when someone new walks in with that spark you know will take them far, and when the biggest comic in the world stops in to work something out before an arena tour. We’ve watched comics go from unknowns to superstars, and we love being able to provide them a safe space as they grow and create.
What do you think has contributed to Laugh Factory Hollywood’s staying power in such a competitive and ever-changing entertainment landscape?
Laugh Factory has the best showroom in LA, hands down, no question. The design is incredible, and comics, without fail, say that performing in this room is unlike any other experience. Our founder also prioritizes diversity and inclusivity, aiming for Laugh Factory to be a place where people of all backgrounds and identities can come together in the shared human experience of laughter.
Any pivotal moments or milestones that stand out in the venue’s history?
Laugh Factory was the home club for multiple television shows, including Comic Strip Live back in the late 80's and 90's, which went head-to-head with SNL at the time. Frazer Smith also hosted a popular live radio show from the Laugh Factory, which became well-known across LA. We’ve had documentaries and movies filmed here, and we also held a Guiness World Record for the longest continuous stand-up comedy show.
However, Laugh Factory is truly pivotal in the way it has managed to interfuse comedy, and the spirit behind comedy, with the world outside its walls. From comedy mentorship programs for underserved youth, to free holiday dinners and shows, to protests, rallies and vigils, Laugh Factory has truly sought to heal, build and participate in the community of which it is a part.
How has Laugh Factory’s partnership with Tixr enhanced ticketing and guest experience?
Tixr provides a beautiful platform to display and vend our shows. We love that guests can view each offering in a clear way without distractions. We also value that Tixr comes with a robust guest support staff who handle many ticketing inquiries for us — it’s incredible not to have to worry that your guests are being taken care of in a polite and professional manner.
What features or elements of Tixr’s platform have been the most valuable to your team?
Tixr’s interface is amazing for our weekend runs of one performer doing multiple shows. We also love the QR code scanning feature for moving hundreds of people in and out of the venue quickly and efficiently. Having multiple search methods for audience orders and a Mailchimp integration makes targeting and marketing much easier, as well.
Our favorite feature, however, is our great relationship with Tixr’s amazing team, who is always there to help us with whatever we need.
What do you think about the importance of integrating modern technology into a venue with such a storied legacy?
This is a microcosm of a larger thread — the integration of the modern with the legends of the past. We want both to celebrate and honor our history and to continually push forward and be at the forefront of the industry. Having the latest technology as one of the first things with which our guests interact is important to create an overall impression of currency and relevance, even as our tradition dates back almost 50 years.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Laugh Factory Hollywood? Are there any exciting plans or initiatives in the works?
Yes! We are at a super interesting time for comedy, where we’re watching it change, like many industries, at a rapid, unprecedented pace. We want to embrace this change while also staying true to our core, and we’re excited to see what comes from merging these ideas, like a beautiful, organic comedy baby. I can’t say more just yet, but…visit our Tixr page for more!
Go deeper into Tixr for comedy and learn how we can take your ticketing and event experience to the next level.
