North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival
2001-2017 · Carrboro/Chapel Hill, NC
Also known as NCCAF
DSI Comedy's two-week flagship festival that built Southeastern improv from a college workshop series into a nationally known gathering — ended abruptly with DSI's 2017 closure.
Known for
- Founded 2001 by Zach Ward of Dirty South Improv (DSI) as a Chicago-style improv showcase and workshop series for UNC Chapel Hill students.
- Originated as a gathering of three college improv groups plus local instructors.
- Added stand-up in 2009; expanded to a two-week format drawing national talent (Emo Philips, Maria Bamford, Ali Farahnakian).
- Ended in 2017 when DSI closed permanently following public allegations of sexual misconduct against founder Zach Ward.
- 17-year run; trained nearly 4,000 students through DSI's affiliated school.
Connected to
Schools & Theaters
dsi comedy theater
People
zach ward
Sources
Referenced by
Festivals