Upcoming Events

Come check out the latest group of improvisers in this graduation show from the latest Level 1 Improv Class! They worked for 7 weeks to get this good, don't miss their very first improv show ever!

Tickets are $5 per person
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

The Backline has been training improvisers for over 8 years and has become one of the best improv theatres in the midwest. Come see our two newest House teams! Two new teams are formed every 6 months, so don't miss them while they are here!

Tickets are $5 per person

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

Every 3rd Thursday of the month at 9:30PM, a rotating cast of Backline's favorite veteran improvisers and promising newcomers hit the stage. Each month two new genres are decided on. The audience gives the player the inspiration in the form or a title, topic, or word. From there you get to see a mini movie, play, or tv episode created in the moment. This month what will it be? Slasher? Rom Com? Musical. Stick around to see the featured team of the evening, closing out the night.

Tickets are $5 per person.

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

The ARENA is Omaha's #1 Improv Competition pitting together 2 improv teams to find out which Omaha team is the best. Each competition is followed by previous Champions that get their own weekly slot until someone beats their record! With 9 consecutive wins and 15 total wins in The Arena, you will not want to miss "Zip-Zopera: The Improvised Hip-Hopera" performing each week!

Whichever team wins the votes of the audience comes back the next week to face a new Challenging team, each getting 15 minutes to win over your votes. The #1 team (4 Average People) has won 16 weeks in a row! Will a team ever beat that record? You decide!

Tickets are $7 per person
FREE for Backline Students & Alumni

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We've got 20 beers and ciders!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

Date Night is here. Gather up your special someone (or any someone) and come see three great two-person teams improvising their little hearts out. Whether you actually bring a date, this show will be just as fun to watch alone or with some friends. Who knows, maybe you'll meet a future date here.

Kalee Olson and Michael Johnson host as the duo Swipe Right, and always bringing up only the best 2-person teams Omaha has to offer.

Tickets are $7 per person.

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

INTERROGATED is the #1 improv show in Omaha and feature's Backline's top improvisers (sometimes featuring special guests!) This fast-paced and very much 'adult-friendly' improv where we'll ask you, the audience, to confess true stories from a time where you got away with something. Maybe you stole a brownie from a roommate, or spun cookies in a football field, either way we'll take them!. Our performers will create scenes based off these stories in a structured 'game-based' style of improv you'll only see similar to in LA and NYC.

Each month also features an opening team of improvisers that are either top Omaha teams or special guests from out of town. If you haven't been here and want a great introduction to what we do best, see this show!

Tickets are $7 per person
*FREE for Backline Students & Alumni
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

Hosted by Ali Kareem, this diverse lineup of comics get right to it. Up close and personal, be ready to laugh at anything.

Featuring
Alex Preston

Rashod Vaughn

Brooke Barsell

Patty Fanciullo

Rome Dailey

Tickets are $7 per person
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

Just Janet (OEAA Nominated) features a new group of local improvisers each month who will vie for Janet's heart and perform scenes inspired by game show-style dating questions.

JUST JANET, comprised of Chris Bottum, Nolan Denker, Maggie Hinrichs, Daniel Stokes and Juli Wians, will take the stage for the second half of the show. Their show opens with a made up first and last name provided by the audience. JUST JANET will discuss the characteristics, backstory, and world view that the name inspires. Then, hold on—you’re entering that person's world. The whole cast uses the world created to do a fast-paced and hilarious long-form improv piece.

Tickets are $7 per person

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

Do you wanna see the very best? The best there ever was? Then don't miss these rap battles featuring a mix of improvisers that can rap and rappers that can improvise, as 8 performers are teamed up to battle against each other with only 1 person winning in the end. There will be two teams (Team Flow vs Team Lyrics.)

Interested in being a part of this yourself? Sign up for the show Training Battles and work your way into this competition!

Tickets are $7 per person
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

Yer Mom's comedy show presents comedians aimed at keeping parents sane one punch line at a time! Join local moms Betsy Miller, Kendra Karbowski, and Patty Fanciullo as they bring up some of the best talent the Omaha area has to offer. We'll kick off the evening with "Mom Time" bringing the funny to everything from potty training to wacky husband hobbies. Featured comedians will keep the entertainment going and be done early enough for you to put your little monsters to bed!

Tickets are $5 per person
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

The Backline hosts an Open Mic for standup every Tuesday at 9pm. Each comedian will be allowed 4 minutes, and names will be drawn from a hat for those who show up before 9pm, people who show up after will be added at the end. Whether it's your first time or you perform weekly, why not try out your material in front of a great crowd at one of the best standup venues in town?

The 1st 20 names put into the hat will be pulled at random until all 20 have gone and each will receive the full 4 minutes, after them you will go up in the order you submitted and possibly lose 1-2 minutes depending on overall turnout. Since names are pulled at random, comics are encouraged to sit and watch everyone else, creating a fun and encouraging audience. 5 seconds of grace period before music plays you off. Prepare accordingly.

The show rotates hosts each week (Andrew Morton, Carmela Anderson, Stephanie Finklea)

This show is FREE for everyone!

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

This class of Backline Alumni have spent 7 weeks specifically focusing on their strengths in improv. That means this show is going to be full of improv superheroes (and villains? Who knows?!) But what we do know is that you will not want to miss this show.

Tickets are $5 per person
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

This show will feature improv teams in Omaha that are specifically dedicated to their talents and practice together regularly. Featuring both well-seasoned and newly-formed teams, and a mix of veteran and somewhat newer performers, so you won't want to miss WTWICIV2! (Also ending with a special Deuces Wild improv jam, where anyone can get a couple minutes of fame.)

Every 4th Thursday at 8pm!

Tickets are $5 per person
*FREE for Backline Students & Alumni
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

ATTENTION!

Backline Comedy Theater has a spanking-hot new monthly comedy showcase fresh-off-the-press featuring the Midwest’s funniest up-and-coming local and touring comedians! Hosted by the Queen of Omaha Comedy herself, join Pretty Much Entertainment's cast members for Thirsty Thursday’s with Carmela Anderson every 4th Thursdays of the month!

Get ya drink on, get ya smoke on (before,) and get your funny on at this raw and uncut Def Comedy style showcase!

BE THERE OR BE A SQUARE!!

Tickets are $10 per person
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

This bad-ass group of seven improviser started of as a Backline House Harold team and graduated into one of the funniest teams in Omaha. They now perform something called a Slacker, and if that means nothing to you, just know it is fast-paced and super fun. Expect a great guest team to open for them each month!

Tickets are $7 per person

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

The only all femme comedy showcase in the Omaha-Lincoln area, the FLOcase is designed to bring femme comics to the front and center of Omaha comedy. Developed in the alley of a dive bar, founders Katie Anderson, Serenity Dougherty, and Angi Sada rallied a small band of comics to create a show that’s welcoming, safe and fucking hilarious. Join us at The Backline on the fifth Saturdays in March and June.

Tickets are $7 per person

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

This fast-paced show features both top local comedians and some of the best up-and-comers performing their freshest material in under an hour.

A team of four great hosts rotate each time creating Omaha's most diverse weekly standup show (and sometimes special guests might dip in unexpectedly.) This show is anything but boring, which says a lot for Tuesdays at 8pm.


Tickets are $5 per person.

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

An incredible and fast-paced improv competition featuring Omaha's best improvisers competing to be Omaha's top Improviser Of The Year (1 winner from each month!)


STRUCTURE:
Improvisers will each pick one card at a time, each card assigned to a different challenge. They will get a chance to succeed with this challenge and advance to the next round. You can play drinking games from the audience or even participate in the show yourself. Audience participation by volunteering only, so no worries if you want to be left alone.

Tickets are $5 per person
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

Like Musicals? How about Hip-Hoperas? How about if they are made up on the spot? Watch the top musical improv teams in Omaha perform improvised show that will not only amaze but also keep you laughing from start to finish.

"Zip-Zopera: The Improvised Hip-Hopera" performs an entire hip-hopera based off an audience member's childhood dreams. It's all made up on the spot! This team has won 9 consecutive wins in The Arena! (Dylan Rohde, Jon Herman, Jenessa NeSmith, Matt Johnson, Chloe Langford, Austin Dunham, and Hayley Greenstreet)

Less Mis creates a more standard musical with a live accompanist performing with them. This show also had quite a run in The Arena and you do not want to miss them! (Fred Lenza, Robyn Helwig, and Matt Johnson)

Tickets are $7 per person

*FREE for Backline Students & Alumni

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We have 20 beers and ciders!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

The Broken Magic Comedy Hour is a new comedy series brought to you by founding OK Party Member and national touring stand up comic Zach Peterson. Featuring some of the best stand up comics in the midwest and beyond, The BMCH is a professionally run stand up show that will have you coming back for more month after month.

Tickets are $10 per person

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

New Stuff is a stand up comedy show where comedian Brad Stewart brings together some of his favorite local and touring comedians and they all perform their best new material. Comedy doesn't get any fresher than this. The Backline definitely encourages you to check this show out!

Tickets are $7 per person.

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

This show is Rated R for graphic language, adult situations and possible nudity* (*not likely, but who knows!!)

The edgiest standup show at Backline, make sure not to come if adult humor rubs you the wrong way. We line up Omaha's top local comedians and give them a chance to perform some stuff they can't do at a typical show. If this sounds like you something you would like, then you definitely will. If this sounds disgusting to you, we have other shows you should check out.

Tickets are $7

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

Nick Allen has been a fixture of the Omaha comedy scene for years. He can be heard daily on the Todd and Tyler Radio Empire. He's funny and so are his friends. Check out this monthly stand-up show featuring the best of who's around. See you second Tuesdays mofos!

Tickets are $5 per person
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

For one night only, the sharp-witted and hilarious Andy Farnsworth is coming to The Backline!

For a decade, Andy Farnsworth has been a touring standup. His signature-brand of autobiographical “fun meltdown” was born in Chicago, styled in Los Angeles, toughened in New York City, and tested in a casino five miles outside of Butte, Montana. Andy’s emotionally-rigorous style has earned him opening spots for Doug Stanhope, Michelle Wolf, Mark Normand, and others.

Along with his standup, Andy has published comic fiction, produced radio essays and stories, and a critically-acclaimed podcast. His work has been featured on NPR’s On Point, WBUR and WMFO in Boston, and WESN.

In 2014, Andy launched Wandering the Aisles w/ Andy Farnsworth, an out-in-the-world podcast that explored New York City. Unique guests and spontaneous conversations guided his journeys to the Staten Island Ferry, Central Park, a Brooklyn Barber Shop, Prospect Park, Alpha Donuts in Queens, and the Union Square subway station.

Doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm

Tickets $10 presale, $12 at the door

Don't miss this special engagement!

I29 Comedy Productions, Let's Get This Show On the Road!
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

Shalom Habibi is a comedy tour featuring Jewish and Arab comedians performing at cultural centers across the US. The goal of the tour is to bridge the gap between our two communities in at least a small way. As a way to inspire meaningful conversation and hopeful unity. Every show features at least two Jewish and two Arab/Muslim comedians. Following every show, the comedians will host a Q+A podcast recording with the audience. A portion of the proceeds from each show go to HIAS and IRUSA (Yemen Food Relief)

Let’s talk about bringing the tour to your town!!!

ShalomHabibiComedy@gmail.com

Tickets are $15 per person
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

Join us the 2nd Friday of each month at 8pm!

Dad Jokes (featuring Michael Johnson, Michael Smith, Cory Starman, Justin Edmonds, and Kalee Olson) is a great improv team you won't want to miss! They don't tell 'jokes' and they aren't your dad, but you'll love them just the same. PLUS a special guest team each month!

• Tickets are $7 per person

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

BROAD PERSPECTIVE is a show that invites all women, womyn, female-identifying, and gender-queer folks to ban together for a monthly night of hilarity, silliness, comedy, and a great time. Two (dude-less) teams hit the stage, with an inclusivity jam in-between, where audience members can hop up to join along in the fun.

Leave your misogyny at the door and settle in for some lolz.

Tickets are $5 per person
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

Hosted by Rome Dailey, this show lines up some of the area's best comedians to each do quick sets of their best material. If you want a taste of the best comics in the region (and sometimes special guests and bright up-and-comers,) jam packed into just over an hour then this is the show to watch!

(Typically packed show, so buy in advance or show up early.)

Tickets are $10 per person
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

Dive Bar is the only show where you can watch improvisers get actively drunk on stage as they perform for your amusement!

Each month will include a featured team of improvisers, who perform a night at the bar that is all made up on the spot but also time is unbroken. For 45 minutes, each performer will create a 45-minute block of time from any old dive bar, all while keeping you laughing harder than you will at any real bar.

This show is different from any other you will ever see, in a great way! Don't miss it!


Tickets are $7 per person

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

Join us every 3rd Tuesday at 8pm at the Backline for Brooke Barsell Presents: Babes in Joyland! Featuring local comedy greats, people new to the scene, and sometimes headliners from out of town. This is a great chance to see a wonderful show on a Tuesday! Also stick around for the Open Mic at 9pm!

Doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8.

Tickets are $5 per person

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

88improv has been performing together since 2003 and is easily one of the best teams in Omaha. Their monthly show every 3rd Saturday of the month always consists of long-form and sometimes short-form improv. They also keep their material family friendly, so if you are looking for one of the few shows at Backline you know you kids and grandparents will enjoy, this is one not to miss.

Tickets are $10 per person.

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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

GOT NOTHING GOING ON SATURDAY?? COME JOIN US FOR A SHOWCASE AS 8 OF OMAHA'S TOP LOCAL AND TOURING TALENT. AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL STAND-UP COMEDIANS COMBINE THEIR DIVERSE COMEDY CULTURES UNDER ONE ROOF TO BRING THE FULL FORCE OF FUNNY!!!

CHOCOLATE III SATURDAES COMEDY SHOWCASE @ BACKLINE COMEDY THEATER EVERY THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH @ 8:30PM!!

DOOR COVER IS ONLY $7!!
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).

LATE NIGHT at the BACKLINE w/ CAMERON LOGSDON !

Featuring stand up comedy, sketch comedy, improv, live music, and whatever else we can fit on stage at the Backline, this hour-long show is guaranteed to entertain you for better or for worse! Every month we'll bring in new musicians, stand up comedians, improvisers, comedy writers, and live interviews with the most interesting people in the city of Omaha and beyond all hosted by Cameron Logsdon.

Cameron is a comedian & writer from Omaha. He likes it here, but travels often. In 2016, he was selected to write for the NBC Late Night Writer’s Workshop, was nominated Best Comedian in Omaha, is an actor/writer in the televised sketch show Omaha Live, he's a Communication Studies professor at UNO, & he gave TEDtalk about teen dads. He cool.

Tickets are $10 per person
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We've got 19 beers, ciders, and hard sodas!

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given.

Free parking available 1/2 a block away at 17th and Harney. Parking also available on the street (metered until 9pm).