Written by Julianna Kelsey and Roszy McGeorge
Roaring laughter filled multiple venues within Boise, Idaho as comedians from across the country brought their talent and best material to Comedyfort.
After long days of exploring Treefort Music Fest’s music scene, trying out local cuisine and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Treefort, audiences could rest their feet and unwind at the free and open to the public comedy showcases.
Over 30 comedians and performers were featured at Comedyfort, bringing a rich and diverse lineup of performers with something for everyone.
Across the 17 events hosted by Comedyfort, several comedians stood out as must-see acts, ranging from established comics to up-and-coming performers to keep an eye out for in the future.
Wally Baram
Wally Baram, a Los Angeles- based comedian, is one of the most accomplished performers to take the stage at Comedyfort. She has written for hit shows like “Shrinking” and “What We Do in the Shadows” and has performed stand-up on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”.
Her comedy “brings a unique perspective on the strange banalities of entering the adult world, as well as growing up with a strong multi-cultural/Mexican-Syrian identity,” according to the Treefort website.
Baram had the audience howling with jokes about her experiences growing up Christian and a story about a hilarious first date involving skydiving. Her hysterical set proved that she is a must-see performer.
“Wally Baram definitely killed it,” Neal Bunker, Boise resident and Comedyfort attendee said. “They [Treefort] had mentioned that she had worked as a writer on ‘What We Do in the Shadows’, and even her jokes had elements that reminded me of the show. It was really good.”
Jasmine Rogers
Jasmine Rogers, a Boise native, blends physical comedy with her bold personality to captivate audiences.
She is a “successful stand-up comedian in the PNW [Pacific Northwest], performing with Netflix and Comedy Central-accredited comedians,” according to her website.
Her sharp wit and high-energy performances earned her the title of Boise’s 2025 Comic of the Year in a competition hosted by Blue City Comedy, a local comedy club earlier this year.
Rogers’ Comedyfort set had the audience laughing nonstop from start to finish. At the end of her performance, Rogers brought the house down with a musical retelling of a childhood experience “in the style of Lin-Manuel Miranda”.
Her Hamilton-inspired grand finale had the audience roaring, further cementing her reputation as one of Boise’s top comedians.
Rogers will continue to light up the Boise comedy scene throughout the year as she performs stand-up at local events. Her other artistic endeavors can be found on her website and on her YouTube channel Jazmataz.
Ricci Armani
Ricci Armani, a Seattle based stand-up comedian, stole the show at Treefort for three back-to-back days.
Armani continues to make a name for himself, headlining all over the country and being featured in comedy festivals such as Portland’s RIP City Fest, Seattle’s Upper Left and New Mexico’s Cloudtop Comedy Festival.
His use of anecdotal stories and crowd work sent the audience into full hysterics.
Comedyfort attendees, Josie Sprinkle and Carly Pierce rushed into the comedy showcase at Boise Contemporary Theater on Saturday night.
“We wanted to hurry in and sit in the front row so the comedians would make fun of us,” said Sprinkle.
Sprinkle and Pierce were in luck. Halfway through his set, Armani called out the two girls in a light-hearted but brutally honest and hysterical round of crowd work.
Armani used the perfect mix of making fun of himself by including personal stories as a gay Filipino man as well as poking fun at the audience.
Ian Yearsley
Idaho-born comedian Ian Yearsley was featured in five shows at Comedyfort.
Yearsley quickly became a crowd favorite through his use of relatable storytelling and mix of edgy but lighthearted humor.
He’s opened for Casey Rocket, headlined Don’t Tell Comedy three times and sold out Liquid Laughs twice — making him well known in the world of comedy.
If you missed Yearsley at Comedyfort, make sure to look out for him at upcoming events on eventbrite.com as Yearsley is often featured in shows all around Idaho.
Throughout Comedyfort, it was clear that the festival wasn’t just a platform for funny punchlines and silly musical numbers — it was a celebration of culture, humanity, diversity and community.
Those lucky enough to hear from these talented performers were not only entertained, but also got the chance to see how connecting through humor can bring people together.
“One thing I like about Treefort and Boise is that there’s all kinds of different art forms,” Lillian Johnson, a Boise resident and Comedyfort attendee said. “I think it’s so important to bring that back and keep it alive. And, yeah, I think comedy is an art form that’s definitely essential. It’s one of the things that makes humanity what it is.”
