Center Stage

Dustin Nickerson takes on Center Stage this week! A Seattle native now suffering in Southern California, Dustin Nickerson is an in-demand comic on the rise. He’s currently touring the country and was recently featured by Kevin Hart on Comedy Central’s "Hart of the City." Dustin has also been seen on "Laughs" on Fox, the "PBS Comedy Hour," Hulu, and can regularly be heard on SiriusXM, Rooftop Comedy, and the "Darren Streblow Show." He’s also the host of hit podcast "Don’t Make Me Come Back There," a funny podcast about family. Dustin describes himself as “the world’s most average person” but is far from it when on stage. He brings you into his life through his humour about the struggles of parenting, marriage, and being generally annoyed by most people. At just 34 years old, Dustin has been married for 15 years and has three kids! This helps makes Dustin truly one of the most unique voices in the comedy scene.

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About the podcast: Center Stage pulls back the curtain to share an inside view of life in comedy clubs. Join General Manager of Helium Comedy Club in Portland and Host Nick Harris as he hangs out with comedian friends to discuss their loves and hates of the world that is comedy… and the clubs that cultivate it.

This episode was recorded back in April 2021. Some of the information about the status of our clubs might be out of date. For the most up-to-date info on our club locations, visit heliumcomedy.com.

Jessica Michelle Singleton joins us on Center Stage this week! Internationally touring comedy phenom, Jessica Michelle Singleton has gained worldwide fans with her live headlining performances from North America and Europe to Africa and Asia, as well as her debut comedy album, “Please. Don’t. Leave. Me.,” which reached #1 on iTunes ahead of veteran comedians such as Brian Regan and Jim Gaffigan. The album was considered for the "Best Comedy Album" Grammy.

Most recently, JMS made her music debut when she wrote and released a country song that climbed the iTunes country charts all the way to the Top 40. She can be seen on Late Night with Lilly Singh and the Showtime docu-series, "The Comedy Store". Just before the world shut down, she completed a 9 city sold out European tour on the heels of the debut of her critically-acclaimed one woman show, "Codependent Arising," at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Jessica Michelle is a paid regular at The World Famous Comedy Store where she can be seen performing whenever she's in town between touring and she's the idiot host of her popular podcast, "Ignorance is #Blessed". She is a recurring guest on The Stephanie Miller Show on Free Speech TV and Sirius XM. Her comedy can be heard regularly on Sirius XM's Raw Dog Comedy Channel.

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@JMScomedy
@heliumpresents
@centerstage_live

About the podcast: Center Stage pulls back the curtain to share an inside view of life in comedy clubs. Join General Manager of Helium Comedy Club in Portland and Host Nick Harris as he hangs out with comedian friends to discuss their loves and hates of the world that is comedy… and the clubs that cultivate it.

This episode was recorded in June 2021. Some of the information about the status of our clubs might be out of date. For the most up-to-date info on our club locations, visit heliumcomedy.com.

Kelsey Cook joins us on Center Stage this week! Kelsey Cook is the daughter of an International Yo-Yo Champion and a Professional Foosball player, which made for a humor-filled life at a young age. Kelsey’s stand-up special was released earlier this year on EPIX’s Unprotected Sets. She made her late-night debut on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon," followed by "A Little Late with Lilly Singh" on NBC. Her other television appearances include Comedy Central’s "This is Not Happening," AXS TV Presents "Gotham Comedy Live," "Punchline" on FOX, "Uproarious" on FUSE, and "Greatest Party Story Ever" on MTV.

Kelsey also co-hosts the "Self-Helpless" podcast with fellow comedians Taylor Tomlinson and Delanie Fischer. It can regularly be found on the iTunes Top Comedy Charts and has featured guests like Brian Regan, Michael Bublé, Whitney Cummings, Tan France, and Bert Kreischer. Her foosball web series, “Wrists of Fury,” currently has over 20 episodes where Kelsey hustles fellow comedians who don’t know she’s a World Champion foosball player.

Kelsey’s debut album, "Savor It," can be found on iTunes, Spotify, and Pandora.

Follow us:
@KelseyCook
@heliumpresents
@centerstage_live

About the podcast: Center Stage pulls back the curtain to share an inside view of life in comedy clubs. Join General Manager of Helium Comedy Club in Portland and Host Nick Harris as he hangs out with comedian friends to discuss their loves and hates of the world that is comedy… and the clubs that cultivate it.

This episode was recorded back in April 2021. Some of the information about the status of our clubs might be out of date. For the most up-to-date info on our club locations, visit heliumcomedy.com.

Amy Miller takes Center Stage this week! Amy Miller was one of Comedy Central’s “Up Next” comics for 2018 and was a breakout favorite in Season 9 of "Last Comic Standing." Her Comedy Central Presents set has been viewed over 3-million times on Youtube and Facebook. She was also a featured comic on Viceland's "Flophouse." On "Last Comic Standing," Keenen Ivory Wayans said she had one of the “fiercest jokes he had ever heard.” Originally from the East Bay, Amy found her comedy chops in Oakland and is still a regular at the SF Punch Line and Cobb’s Comedy Club. Her material is personal, political, and 100% authentic. The Laugh Button says “She found a wildly creative way to find empowerment while simultaneously sparking laughter” and Courting Comedy says “Miller juxtaposes an unassuming demeanor with unflinching assurance.” After a move to Portland in 2012, Amy quickly rose to the top of the Pacific Northwest comedy scene, winning Portland’s Funniest in Helium's 2015 contest, as well as being voted Portland’s Funniest Comedian for 2013 and 2015 in the Willamette Week. She was the first woman to win each position and the only one to win all three.

Amy’s debut album, "Solid Gold," is available on Kill Rock Stars and was named one of the top 10 comedy albums of 2016 by the "Interrobang." You may have also seen Amy on Viceland or heard her on SiriusXM, NPR, "Doug Loves Movies," "The Adam Carolla Show," "The Bennington Show," "Put Your Hands Together," "All Fantasy Everything," "Keith and the Girl," or her own podcast, "Who's Your God?"

Follow us:
@amymiller
@heliumpresents
@centerstage_live

About the podcast: Center Stage pulls back the curtain to share an inside view of life in comedy clubs. Join General Manager of Helium Comedy Club in Portland and Host Nick Harris as he hangs out with comedian friends to discuss their loves and hates of the world that is comedy… and the clubs that cultivate it.

This episode was recorded back in April 2021. Some of the information about the status of our clubs might be out of date. For the most up-to-date info on our club locations, visit heliumcomedy.com.

This week on Center Stage: Caleb Synan! Caleb is one of the hottest young comics in the country. (Funny AND good looking!) His unique background as a preacher’s kid from a small southern town gives him the ability to relate to any and every crowd — even though he’s a big old millennial who lives in LA. Want proof? He’s written and starred in two different Comedy Central web series: “Deadliest Chef” and “Wise Words” (That’s the internet!) And he’s performed on "CONAN" (twice!), "Last Comic Standing" (once!), and "Comedy Central Stand Up Featuring" season 2 (your mom saw it on instagram!) He’s also starring in Bill Burr’s upcoming stand-up show on Comedy Central in 2020 (wow, this guy does a lot of stand up!)

He’s also entertained our troops in South Korea and Japan. What a guy! It’s no wonder he won the title of "Wittiest" in Franklin County High School’s 2009 Yearbook. He even wrote this bio himself. And he’ll have a margarita with you if you play your cards right.

Follow us:
@dumbcaleb
@heliumpresents
@centerstage_live

About the podcast: Center Stage pulls back the curtain to share an inside view of life in comedy clubs. Join General Manager of Helium Comedy Club in Portland and Host Nick Harris as he hangs out with comedian friends to discuss their loves and hates of the world that is comedy… and the clubs that cultivate it.

This episode was recorded back in April 2021. Some of the information about the status of our clubs might be out of date. For the most up-to-date info on our club locations, visit heliumcomedy.com.

This week on Center Stage: Shapel Lacey!

Shapel Lacey is an American comedian born and raised in Mesa, Arizona. A diehard punk rocker and former award-winning competitive cheerleader, Shapel found ways to express himself and own his individuality at an early age. Shapel was cheerleading competitively for the University of Louisville when someone dared him to take the stage as a comedian and he never looked back, dropping out shortly thereafter to pursue a career in stand-up full time. His unique life experiences (such as being adopted by a Caucasian family at age 15), punk-rock mentality, and stage presence combined make for a truly original voice in the community. He regularly performed for comedians such as Bill Burr, Hannibal Buress, Bryan Callen, and Frank Caliendo.

Follow us:
@ShapelLacey
@heliumpresents
@centerstage_live

About the podcast: "Center Stage" pulls back the curtain to share an inside view of life in comedy clubs. Join General Manager of Helium Comedy Club in Portland and Host Nick Harris as he hangs out with comedian friends to discuss their loves and hates of the world that is comedy… and the clubs that cultivate it. New episodes every Friday!

This episode was recorded back in May 2021. Some of the information about the status of our clubs might be out of date. For the most up-to-date info on our club locations, visit heliumcomedy.com.

This week on Center Stage: Matt Braunger! Matt Braunger is an American actor, writer, and stand-up comedian. His most recent special, "Finally Live In Portland," was launched by Comedy Dynamics in 2019. Outside of performing stand-up, Braunger is noted for being a cast member on "MADtv" during its final season in 2008–2009, numerous guest star roles (NBC's "Up All Night," Marvel’s "Agent Carter," Netflix’ "Disjointed"), and numerous voice-over roles (Amazon’s "The New VIPs," Netflix’ "BoJack Horseman").

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@Braunger
@heliumpresents
@centerstage_live

About the podcast: "Center Stage" pulls back the curtain to share an inside view of life in comedy clubs. Join General Manager of Helium Comedy Club in Portland and Host Nick Harris as he hangs out with comedian friends to discuss their loves and hates of the world that is comedy… and the clubs that cultivate it. New episodes every Friday!

This week on Center Stage: Lindsay Boling! Lindsay Boling is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor based in New York by way of Louisville, KY. She is a former Division I soccer player so yeah, she's gay. She records her first compilation album with Helium Comedy Records in Philly this year, to be released in late summer. She has been featured in national comedy festivals such as The New York Comedy Festival, Boston Women in Comedy Festival, and Cape Fear Comedy Festival. Lindsay studied improv comedy with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (2013-2016) and acting with The Barrow Group (2015-present). She appeared as a tour guide on the Discovery Channel for the since cancelled show, "Off Limits." She can be seen regularly performing at venues throughout New York City.

Follow us:
@LBols
@heliumpresents
@centerstage_live

About the podcast: "Center Stage" pulls back the curtain to share an inside view of life in comedy clubs. Join General Manager of Helium Comedy Club in Portland and Host Nick Harris as he hangs out with comedian friends to discuss their loves and hates of the world that is comedy… and the clubs that cultivate it. New episodes every Friday!

This episode was recorded back in April 2021. Some of the information about the status of our clubs might be out of date. For the most up-to-date info on our club locations, visit heliumcomedy.com.

This week on Center Stage: Blake Wexler! Blake Wexler started doing stand-up at the age of 15 in Philadelphia, then moved to Boston in 2007 to pursue his comedy career and attend Emerson College. While at Emerson, Blake was named as one of the funniest college students in the country at The Rooftop Aspen Comedy Festival two years in a row.

Since moving to LA, Blake has written for and appeared on Comedy Central, was a featured performer in numerous comedy festivals, became the first comedian/writer to appear on ABC's "Watch Party: The Bachelor," and can be regularly heard on "The Cracked Podcast," "The Daily Zeitgeist," & "The Todd Glass Show." Blake’s critically acclaimed stand-up comedy recordings, "The Blake Album" (2016) and "Stuffed Boy" (2018), debuted near the top of the iTunes charts, and his recent album, "12 Years of Voicemails from Todd Glass to Blake Wexler," was #1 on iTunes & Amazon.

Follow us:
@BlakeWexler
@heliumpresents
@centerstage_live

About the podcast: "Center Stage" pulls back the curtain to share an inside view of life in comedy clubs. Join General Manager of Helium Comedy Club in Portland and Host Nick Harris as he hangs out with comedian friends to discuss their loves and hates of the world that is comedy… and the clubs that cultivate it. New episodes every Friday!

If you prefer to listen to "Center Stage," find us on Spotify, Apple Pod, or right here: heliumpresents.com/center-stage

This episode was recorded back in April 2021. Some of the information about the status of our clubs might be out of date. For the most up-to-date info on our club locations, visit heliumcomedy.com.

This week on Center Stage: Clint Coley! Clint Coley is an acclaimed comedian and writer who honed his skills at The Laff House in Philadelphia and the New York circuit before moving to Los Angeles. Since 2012, Coley has been the opening act for D.L. Hughley as he tours the country. Coley's comedic gift led to Hughley crowning him "The Prince." Coley has also opened for fellow Philadelphian and acclaimed comedian Kevin Hart.

Beyond being a gifted comedian, Coley is a savvy businessman. Coley produced and headlined Babylon Cartel Presents: Clint Coley's All Jokes Aside, performing in front of a sold-out crowd at Philadelphia's Freedom Theater. Following the success of that special, Coley launched his own comedy series, Chill, it's Just Jokes, at Philadelphia's Helium Comedy Club. Its success led to the series expanding to Los Angeles' Hollywood Improv.

In 2014, his debut comedy album, "I'm an Adult," was turned into a Live Nation theater tour with Coley selling over 1,600 tickets in 4 cities. His follow-up comedy EP, "Sturgis," reached #13 on the Billboard comedy album chart and reached #3 on the iTunes chart. His latest comedy album, "Sensitive," was released in 2018.

Outside of stand-up, Coley has written, produced, and starred in various short films under his Everybody Eats Productions banner. "The First Date," "The First Time," and "Scratch" were each accepted into the International Black Film Festival. "Scratch" and "The First Time" were nominated for Best Short Film, with "The First Time" winning the award. Coley's video content with All Def Digital and videos on his personal fan page have earned 30+ millions of views.

Follow us:
@ClintColey
@heliumpresents
@centerstage_live

About the podcast: "Center Stage" pulls back the curtain to share an inside view of life in comedy clubs. Join General Manager of Helium Comedy Club in Portland and Host Nick Harris as he hangs out with comedian friends to discuss their loves and hates of the world that is comedy… and the clubs that cultivate it. New episodes every week!