Bob Edwards
Festival Founder, Executive Producer

Half ball-of-pure-energy, half human-megaphone-filled-with-beer Bob Edwards is the founder of 10,000 Laughs. A former comedian himself, he’s been obsessed with stand up comedy since way before it was appropriate. Also the owner and manager of Minneapolis’ Comedy Corner Underground, Bob lives and breathes comedy every god damn day.

Grant Winkels
Producer

Grant Winkels has been performing his whole life. After years of gigging as a musician, he finally convinced himself that he was funny. He’s been convincing audiences ever since. Selected as a “Comic to Watch” by Racket Magazine, he has performed at the New York City Comedy Festival, West End Comedy Fest and Fountain City Comedy Festival among others. Grant is a producer for the acclaimed 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival, a paid regular at Acme Comedy Company and hosts the popular Sisyphus Brewing Open Mic.

Ben Katzner
Producer

A Minneapolis-based standup comedian and writer, this is Ben Katzner's second year as a producer of 10,000 Laughs. Besides performing in clubs and theaters across the country, Katzner has also participated in numerous comedy festivals including the Limestone Comedy Festival, 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival, Let's Fest, the Harlem Comedy Festival and the Raleigh Comedy Festival. When he's not on stage, Katzner co-hosts the Troll Hole Podcast and is a burgeoning talent in the graphic novel space. His debut graphic novel, "Hello, My Name is Poop" was published by Wonderbound books in 2021. His second graphic novel, Muddy Waters Too (co-written with legendary rapper Redman), was released the summer of 2025.

Whitney Streed
Producer

Whitney Streed used to be a comedian who made a lot of puns. Now they are a producer and still make a lot of puns. A longtime Portland resident just recently returned to their hometown of Colorado Springs, Whitney has been a part of many festivals as both a comedian and/or a producer, including Portland’s All Jane Comedy Festival, the San Francisco Comedy and Burrito Festival, and Seattle’s Bumbershoot, as well as being one of the primary producers for many years of Portland's beloved Bridgetown Comedy Festival. You can catch Whitney with many different types of bait, including chocolate ice cream, beautiful mountains, or the promise of an equitable future for all.

Cy Amundson
Producer, Artists and Repertoire

With appearances on Conan, Adam Devine’s House Party, and Comedy Central’s This is Not Happening, Cy is the producer with the most credits and an ego kind enough to only mention that once a day.

David Rodriguez
Producer, Artists and Repertoire

In 2015 David Rodriguez burst onto the Colorado comedy scene by winning Denver Comedy Works' prestigious New Faces Competition. After spending time on the road he’s opened his own club (The Comedy Fort) in b-e-a-utiful Fort Collins, Colorado.

David’s third year with 10,000 Laughs has largely been spent wondering why the agent still hasn’t replied to that email.

Joe Bee
Director of Artist Experience and Community Engagement

Joe Bee has built a career on good ole fashioned DIY punk values - booking or producing everything from pro wrestling and roller derby to comedy and music festivals. The former heart of Rip City Comedy Fest, Joe was lured to the 10K team by Bob with the promise of Corner Bar Wings and endless fancy mocktails. When he's not skating around Cathedral Hill or launching full send into the next random idea, Joe is a University instructor specializing in Rhetoric and Persuasion. Coming full circle with a youth of sneaking into shows with fake laminates, you can catch him on tour this summer as part of the Headliner Experience team on the Van's Warped Tour reunion shows. Eternally, he just hopes everyone has a good time… and the mics work.

Bryan Miller
Public Relations

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about or something like that. Bryan is the guy that helps make sure everyone is at least aware enough to talk about us—and has been for years!