The Nantucket Comedy Festival began in 2007 when professional stand-up comedian Kevin Flynn was devastated to learn that a rash of teen suicides had shaken the Nantucket community. Kevin knew there was healing power in laughter, so he set his heart on applying it to the tragedy-stricken island.

Kevin envisioned creating classes for kids using stand up comedy techniques to teach confidence and self esteem. As with any large project, he recognized such an endeavor would require funding. So, Kevin gathered a group of his nationally-recognized stand-up comic friends and asked if they would be willing to donate their time and talent at a Festival dedicated to support the kids’ comedy program. The comics generously obliged.

The following summer, Kevin and co-founder Bonnie Levison staged the first Nantucket Comedy Festival, bringing laughter to a community that was in need of its restorative impact.