Just For Laughs unveiled the lineup for its 2026 New Faces of Comedy Showcase, featuring a new class of performers, creators and writers set to take the stage in MontrEal.
Since 1994, the New Faces showcase has helped launch the careers of some of the industry’s biggest stars.
Alumni include Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Colin Jost and Ali Wong and Sugar Sammy, among so many others.
This year’s class has already built impressive résumés, performing at acclaimed festivals and venues including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, New York Comedy Festival, The Comedy Store, The Second City Toronto and Comedy Mothership. Their credits also include Kill Tony, ABC’s America’s Funniest People, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and CBC’s New Wave of Stand Up.
“Each year, New Faces introduces audiences to the next generation of brilliant comedy talent from around the globe, and 2026 is no exception,” said Nick Brazao, VP of Programming & Talent at Just For Laughs. “This year’s performers are sharp, original and hilarious. We’re proud to offer them this platform to show audiences how bright the future of comedy is.”
NEW FACES: STAND UPS
Ainsley Bailey, Alon Elian, Andrew Packer, Carolina Montesquieu, Chris Renois, Cristina Mariani, David Drake, Elijah Nevels, Elle Orlando, Elouise Eftos, Esteban Gast, Fiona Cauley, Freddie Shanel, Gary Simons, Gus Tate, Hannah Veldhoen, Hassan Phills, Helen Bauer, Jack Hirschfield, Jackson Banks, Joe Marrese, Joey Dardano, Jonis Josef, Kenny Lee, Mario Adrion, Mark Thomson, Mitchell Doran, Nicky Paris, Peyton Ruddy, Red Richardson and Tessa Belle.
NEW FACES: CHARACTERS
Annie Sullivan, Caitlin Frain, Clare McConnell, George C. Owens, Jesse Kendall, Jon Blair, Russell Daniels and Tiyawnda.
NEW FACES: CREATORS in partnership with SMOSH
Lucas Lopez, Lucy Sandwick, Pooja Tripathi and Tom Cardy.
NEW FACES: WRITERS in partnership with Semi-Formal Productions
Austin S. Harris (The Hayes House is Haunted), Elliot Connors (Omni), Jenna Ebersberger (Me & Marie) and Mike Liebenson (Midwestern Realty)
All showcases will take place as part of JFL’s ComedyPRO programming between July 22 and July 25. Just For Laughs Montreal continues until July 26, 2026. More information is available at HAHAHA.COM.
