Schedule
Schedule is subject to change.
7 p.m.
Virtual Erma Bombeck Writing Competition Awards Ceremony, featuring keynote speaker Betsy Bombeck
(Free and open to the public, but advance registration required. A registration link will be provided.)
Erma's Got Talent: The Stand-Up Auditions
7-9 p.m. (EST)
Erma’s Got Talent, loosely formatted along the lines of America’s Got Talent, will offer 12 randomly selected contestants the opportunity to perform two minutes of their original stand-up material in front of three celebrity judges — acclaimed comedians Brian Kiley, Wendy Liebman and Leighann Lord. Nancy Berk will serve as emcee.
The winning contestant and runners up will be eligible to perform on the virtual stage on Attendee Stand-Up Comedy Night at 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 30. Other performers will be selected randomly after the auditions.
Entertaining and educational, Erma's Got Talent is an instructional opportunity for participants as well as the audience. The judges will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of performance/material and offer expert suggestions.
Free and open to the public, but only registered attendees are eligible to perform. Because the demand for this stand-up opportunity is high, performers will not be eligible for the random drawing of Stand-Up Night participants.
7 p.m. — Opening night kick-off with emcee Patricia Wynn Brown
Fireside chat with keynoters Peggy and Mike Rowe
Break
10:30 to 11:45 a.m. — concurrent sessions
Lunch Break
1-2 p.m. — keynoter Wendy Liebman
2:15-3:30 p.m. — concurrent sessions
Break
3:45-5 p.m. — concurrent sessions
Dinner Break
7 p.m. — keynoter Annabelle Gurwitch
Break
9-11 p.m. — Attendee Stand-Up Comedy Night with Emcee Brian Kiley
Break
10:15-11:30 a.m. — Concurrent sessions
Lunch Break
1 p.m. — keynoter Mike Reiss
Break
2:30-4 p.m. — Pitchapalooza
Featuring Arielle Ecstut and David Henry Sterry with guest judges Stacey Graham and Paula Munier
4 p.m. — Wrap-up with emcee Patricia Wynn Brown