Rock What You Got//Pay Gap Comedy Tour

About

What is the Pay Gap Comedy Tour? Simply, it's a chance to experience some truly talented performers and do our part to close the Pay Gap by hiring women to make you LAUGH. OUT LOUD! We have brought together some of the finest comedians in the Twin Cities to experience their hilarious and incisive observations for an evening of inspiration, comedy and Woman-Power.

Thought the Pay Gap was closed? Not hardly. But don't worry, we'll bring you up to speed, have fun doing it and support some pretty awesome organizations dedicated to stopping violence against women at the same time. Because women are awesome like that!

Grab 'em by the funny and get your laugh on !

Rock What You Got Live! Pay Gap Comedy tour is presented by the Twin Cities Women’s Expo and is a fundraiser to support organizations dedicated to stopping violence against women Breaking Free and Casa de Esperanza.

Schedule:

VIP Event starts at 5:00 pm – to 6:30 pm

Lobby opens for networking/reception at 6:00 pm

Doors open at 6:45 pm

7:30 pm - 10:00 pm Show

Miss Shannan Paul // Emcee
A self-labeled Geek, Miss Shannan Paul brings roaring laughter to even the most curmudgeonly of crowds. Twin Cities newspaper, the City Pages says, “No matter where you’ve seen (or heard) her, you know just how great Miss Shannan is. With comedy that’s personal and relatable, she has the ability to make you feel like you’ve been friends for years, even if you’re only seeing her for the very first time.”

Her storytelling and infectious smile are sure to crack up even the most stone-faced curmudgeon. She can relate to just about everyone whether they be students, Sci-Fi fans, jocks, or soccer moms.

Her diverse professional background has given her an incredibly broad communication set and allowed her to work with people and groups covering a spectrum of ethnicities, age ranges and education levels. In addition, she is a touring stand-up comedian who has performed for a wide range of audiences. She has hosted numerous corporate and charity events. Miss Shannan is a regular guest on local TV talk shows speaking on pop culture and diversity.

2 Sugars // Carolyn Pool and Shannan Custer
Carolyn Pool has appeared at almost every theatre in the Twin Cities, as well as regional theaters across the country. Notable work includes Celia in Calendar Girls (with the lovely Ms. Custer as Ruth), August; Osage County (Ivy), Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Jean) and The Sisters Rosensweig (Pfeni). At the Illusion Theater she appeared in Three Viewings (Mac), Bill W. and Dr. Bob (Lois Wilson) and Mercy of a Storm (Zan) in a co-production with Florida Stages as well as the title role in the world premiere of Miranda. She is also the recipient of a 2008 Ivey Award (outstanding ensemble for Orson’s Shadow in which she played Vivien Leigh), and in 2011 won “Best Actress” at the SoCal Film Festival for her work in the short film Rotations of the Earth. Carolyn is also a performer for Penumbra Theatre’s RACE workshops and Pillsbury House Theater, where she is an actor/mentor for The Chicago Ave. Project.

A veteran of the Brave New Workshop, Shanan Custer performed from the reign of Jesse Ventura to the Bush and Kerry election as a main stage writer and performer. A writer, actor, teaching artist, director as well as an improviser, Shanan’s other original work includes: Mick Sterling Presents: At Christmas (with Jim Robinson) and From Here to Maternity (with Joshua English Scrimshaw). Shanan has performed with Park Square Theatre, History Theatre, Frank Theater, Theatre Pro Rata, Comedy Suitcase, Mu Performing Arts, The Mystery Café, Ghoulish Delights in The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society as well as directed productions at Theatre in the Round and Artistry of Bloomington Center for the Arts. Shanan is an adjunct faculty at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul as well as a Teaching Artist at the Guthrie Theater, the History Theatre, and Park Square Theatre. Shanan is also an improviser with the Theater of Public Policy.

Mary Jo Pehl
Mary Jo Pehl is a writer and actor on Mystery Science Theater 3000, and was featured as the beloved arch-nemesis Pearl Forrester. She currently teams with Bridget Nelson making hilarious movie commentary on RiffTrax. Mary Jo currently writes, produces and stars in the web series Ruth Larson Lives! (YouTube), and performs her show, One Across: My Life As a Former Crossword Puzzle Clue, at theaters and comedy clubs.

Tiffany Norton
Originally from St. Paul, MN, she is currently a touring stand up comedian, Radio Personality/Traffic Reporter and Executive Producer of the award winning, Moon and Staci Show on KS95-FM 94.5 in Minneapolis.

Tiffany began her stand-up career a decade ago and has been entertaining audiences with her confident stage presence and mischievous point of view ever since.

Ellie Hino
Ellie Hino is a Minneapolis based stand-up comic with a heart of gold. She’s appeared in Boston’s Women in Comedy Festival and was also featured in the "Best of the Fest" show at 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival. She is a former cast member and writer at the Brave New Workshop Comedy Theater, anchored in satire, sketch, and improvisation. Ellie is a super fun mom, a mediocre wife, and an all-around delight. Her comedy is silly and honest, sometimes focusing on the naked truths of married life and motherhood. Yeah, she lives in the suburbs now, but she’s like, still cool.

Khadijah Cooper
Khadijah grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis as an only child. Working as a Sexuality Educator with young teens, her confidence in public speaking coupled with her quick wit gave her all the fuel she needed to burst on to the comedy scene in February 2018; making her name known.

She set her sights on House of Comedy's “Funniest Person With a Day Job” contest just months in to doing open mics and became one of the finalists. She also co-produces People of Comedy (POC), a comedy showcase that promotes the integration of all backgrounds of comedy culture.

Her point of view in her stand up as a mother, a Sexuality Educator, and someone that has the confidence and comfort in her skin makes her irresistible to laugh with and relate to.