Stand-Up Showcase
Stand-Up Showcase brings five comedians to the DC Improv for a multi-style evening of stand-up featuring performers from the Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and wider comedy scenes. The showcase is designed to offer close-up access to emerging and established talent, with acts ranging from crowd work and personal observations to improvised audience interaction and polished Southern storytelling.
The lineup includes David Balagizi, Tim Smith, Joey Friedman, Chris Coccia, and Apple Brown Betty. The show generally runs about 90 minutes.
When: September 18–20, 2026
Showtimes: Friday at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; Sunday at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $26.50 all-in, including service charges
Lineup: David Balagizi, Tim Smith, Joey Friedman, Chris Coccia, and Apple Brown Betty
Run time: Approximately 90 minutes
David Balagizi: A 22-year-old comedian known for crowd work, stories rooted in his African upbringing, and unusual observations. He has built a social-media following of approximately 900,000 across TikTok and Instagram.
Tim Smith: A New York City comedian originally associated with Chicago and Louisiana. Described as a goofball, he has appeared at the New York Comedy Festival and opened for Roy Wood Jr., Kyle Kinane, Jim Norton, and Ms. Pat. He also co-hosts the Roommates in Law podcast.
Joey Friedman: Joey Friedman began performing comedy at her family’s dinner table in the late 1990s. Her television credit includes an appearance as an opening comic in Ari Shaffir’s Netflix special *America’s Sweetheart*. She also co-produces *Sense of Tumor*, an annual benefit show featuring cancer survivors and caregivers.
Chris Coccia: Chris Coccia began teaching stand-up at the DC Improv in 2006 and had already been performing regularly at the club for years. His comedy combines prepared material with spontaneous interaction, allowing him to connect with a wide range of audiences. He performs at comedy clubs, colleges, and corporate events, won the 2008 Purina Pet Comedy Challenge and its $10,000 prize, and was selected for the Great American Comedy Festival in Johnny Carson’s Nebraska hometown. His credits include Comedy Central, The Game Show Network, and XM Radio, along with appearances on Philadelphia-based radio programs.
Apple Brown Betty: A Richmond, Virginia, comedian whose approachable Southern style addresses taboo subjects in an accessible way. She was selected as a Rising Star of Comedy by Bob Sumner, the producer associated with *Def Comedy Jam*, and is building a national profile with an act intended to leave audiences both laughing and more optimistic.
Venue: DC Improv, 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036
Contact: 202-296-7008; support@dcimprov.com