Sarah Squirm
Sarah Sherman, known by her performance persona Sarah Squirm, brings an evening of offbeat comedy to The Clarice. The Saturday Night Live cast member and HBO comedy star is recognized for her surreal live performances, including *Helltrap Nightmare*, and for her work across television and film.
This performance is part of NextNOW Fest 2026, The Clarice’s multi-day festival of innovative performances and experiences by artists from around the country and the University of Maryland community. The festival is open to the general public.
When: Friday, September 11, 2026
Showtime: 7:00 p.m.
Schedule: The festival entrance and the line for this event open at 5:30 p.m. Venue doors open at 6:00 p.m., when tickets will be exchanged for entry wristbands.
Tickets: Free, tickets required. The event is oversold, so a ticket does not guarantee admission.
Venue: Dekelboum Concert Hall, The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Admission: General admission.
Performer: Sarah Sherman, also known as Sarah Squirm.
About the performer: Sarah recently completed her fifth season as a cast member on NBC’s *Saturday Night Live*. Her HBO special, *Sarah Squirm: Live + In The Flesh*, was directed by Cody Critcheloe and features John Waters. Her film appearances include the Adam Sandler-produced *Roommates* and *You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah!*, along with the forthcoming *Teenage Sex* and *Death at Camp Miasma*, written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun.
Career background: Sarah was selected as a New Face at the 2021 Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. She created the live show *Helltrap Nightmare*, previously opened for Eric André’s national tour, and wrote for *The Eric Andre Show*. She has also worked on Adult Swim’s *Three Busy Debras* and Netflix’s *Magic for Humans*. Vulture named her one of its Comics to Watch for 2018, and *Time Out* included her among its Five Comics to Watch for 2017.
Festival logistics: NextNOW Fest will conduct security bag checks at entry. Guests are encouraged, though not required, to follow the University of Maryland Athletics bag policy. Traveling with minimal belongings may speed entry. Only empty water bottles are allowed inside; free water stations and opportunities to purchase beverages will be available.
Accessibility: The Clarice offers wheelchair-accessible and size-inclusive seating, large-print programs, assisted-listening devices, adult and child sensory packs, and quiet spaces upon request. ASL interpretation, audio description, and captioning are available for select events or by request at least six weeks in advance.
Run time: Not stated.
Ages: Not stated.