Marshall Chiles talks Laughing Skull Comedy Festival

?For six years, the Laughing Skull Lounge comedy club has put on their own festival in Atlanta. Held every Spring, the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival (or “Skull Fest” as it’s more commonly referred to as) invites comics from all over the country to our city to showcase their comedic skills in hoping of being named the best of the fest. Past years have seen Josh Gondelman ("Last Week Tonight"), Sam Morril ("Conan"), Dave Waite ("Last Comic Standing"), Paul Varghese ("Last Comic Standing 2"), and Grant Lyon (2014's champ) take home the big first place prize.
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?This year, 72 comedians from Portland, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Canada, and some from our own backyard, will participate in over 20 shows held throughout the week spread out over six venues. CL spoke with Laughing Skull's owner Marshall Chiles about the festival’s origins, its growth, and Atlanta's comedy scene.
? ??? There’s a lot of comedy festivals around the country and each one is different. For those who don’t know, can you tell us a little bit about Skull Fest?
The festival reaches every corner of the city and hits some of Atlanta’s favorite performance venues: the Improv Comedy Club in Buckhead, Smith’s Olde Bar in Midtown, Hard Rock Café in Downtown, Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, and Laughing Skull Lounge in Midtown. Winners receive cash, miscellaneous prizes and incomparable exposure to TV bookers, agents, managers, comedy clubs, and partner festivals, such as Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival.
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? Why did you decide to start a comedy festival?
? We started Laughing Skull Comedy Festival to bring a national spotlight to the Atlanta comedy scene and to show comedians around the country how great the scene is. In order to build the scene, you have to focus on the comedian. Then, they will all talk positively about Atlanta comedy and think of our city before New York or L.A. And that has happened.
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? Skull Fest is going into it’s sixth year now. How has the festival grown since it’s start?
? There is more industry showing up. We still get 400 to 500 submissions each year from comedians, but there is more industry showing up because of our results. Also, the quality of submissions has gotten better.
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? The field of applicants was narrowed down to 72 comics. On Saturday, at the finale, it will be narrowed down to four finalists. What do you look for in the selection process?
? Submissions are judged in five areas: material, delivery, stage presence, audience response, and overall impression.
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? Is there anything new or different happening this year that you are particularly excited about?
? I am very excited about Eddie’s Attic being a part of festival this year and we’ve extended the shows at Hard Rock and Smith’s Olde Bar. By doing that, we have been able to add 10 more shows this year and have given comedians more stage time.
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? There is a good handful of local Atlanta comics participating this year. The last two years saw a local finish in the top four. How do you think the Atlanta comedy scene compares to others?
? I think we are one of the top scenes in the country outside of New York and L.A.; right up there with Boston and Chicago. The goal has been to get on the level.
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? 6th Annual Laughing Skull Comedy Festival. $18-$23. Through March 29. Various locations.