We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nick Armstrong a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nick, thanks for joining us today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?

In 2019, my business partner and friend Josh Nicols and I acquired RISE Comedy, formally Voodoo Comedy, which was struggling financially at the time. We had to act quickly to turn things around, and within less than a year, we successfully revitalized the business. However, our progress came to a sudden halt in March 2020 due to the pandemic. In an instant, we lost everything: our community, our investment, and all the hard work we had put into saving the theater.

Determined to rescue RISE Comedy once more, Josh and I swiftly transitioned our business online, offering classes despite the challenge of still having to cover rent and bills for a space we couldn’t use. We reached out to friends in the TV and comedy industry to help slow the financial leak, likening our efforts to plugging holes in a sinking boat. Our goal was to keep the theater afloat.

We are proud to say that we succeeded. RISE Comedy is now thriving, and we have recently expanded with a new 2,000 square foot training center for our classes. Additionally, we were honored to be named Best Variety Comedy Club in Denver by Westword.

Nick, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am an actor, improviser, director, writer, and entrepreneur with a diverse range of experiences. My television appearances include roles on Emmy Award-winning shows such as “The Office” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” as well as features on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “New Girl,” “Stan Against Evil,” “Young Sheldon,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” and “Parks and Recreation.”

In Los Angeles, I trained at the renowned Groundlings Theater, where I was a member of the prestigious Sunday Company, which boasts alumni like Will Ferrell, Heidi Gardner, and Phil Hartman. At Groundlings, I honed my skills in improv and sketch comedy, both as a student and a teacher. I furthered my training at iO, mastering and teaching Long Form Improvisation, and performing with critically acclaimed teams such as King Ten, COG, and Kind Strangers. Additionally, I served as the Artistic Director of M.I.’s Westside Comedy Theater, where I also taught and performed.

My expertise has taken me around the globe, leading workshops and headlining performances at hundreds of festivals worldwide. Currently, I am the Co-Owner and Artistic Director of RISE Comedy in Denver, Colorado. I am also the Founder and Executive Director of Improv Utopia, a nonprofit improv camp for adults that supports the improv community and other arts-related charities.

I entered the entertainment industry because I love making people happy, building community, and creating laughter. In today’s world, this mission feels more imperative than ever—it’s my personal mission statement. In 2011, I founded Improv Utopia, a non-profit organization that rents summer camps and retreat centers worldwide. These camps offer adults the opportunity to learn, create community, and better themselves and the world.

When Josh and I took over RISE Comedy, formerly Voodoo Comedy, we aimed to bring the same sense of community and joy on a daily basis. After five years, we are proud to have built a thriving comedy community in Denver. This community has helped comedians form lasting friendships, showcase their talents, and find a sense of belonging.

The creation of this vibrant, kind, and positive community is what I am most proud of. In a time when optimism and connection are needed more than ever, our work at RISE Comedy stands as a beacon of hope and joy.
RISE Comedy is renowned for its top-tier comedy shows, featuring a mix of stand-up, improv, variety shows and sketch performances. With a roster that includes both local talents and nationally recognized comedians, RISE Comedy provides a dynamic and entertaining experience for all visitors. The venue hosts regular shows, ensuring there’s always something new and exciting for comedy enthusiasts to enjoy. In addition to their regular schedule which boasts 40 shows a month, we have the RISE Comedy Festival in the summer which brings Stand Ups and Improvisers from all over. We just launched the first ever Denver Sketch Festival as well which will happen in October of this year brining talent from all over North America.

At the heart of RISE Comedy’s mission is education. The theater offers a comprehensive array of comedy classes and workshops designed for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned performers. These classes cover a range of disciplines, including stand-up, improv, sketch writing, and more. With experienced instructors leading the way, students receive high-quality training that hones their comedic skills, public speaking skills, and boosts their confidence.

RISE Comedy extends its expertise to the corporate world, providing customized training programs and team-building workshops. These sessions use the principles of improvisation to enhance communication, creativity, and collaboration within teams. Companies benefit from a unique and engaging approach that fosters a positive and cohesive work environment. RISE Comedy has worked with companies like Apple, Adobe, Chipotle, Vail Resorts, and Fortune 500 companies.

RISE Comedy is deeply committed to giving back to the community. Through various outreach initiatives, the theater aims to make comedy accessible to all, supporting local artists and partnering with other organizations to bring laughter to those who need it most.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Growing up, my family struggled financially. I remember going to the park with my mom, thinking I would play on the playground, while she stood in line for government cheese, bread, milk, and food stamps. My mom did her best to make us feel “normal.” Humor became my way of coping with the challenges of my childhood, and making my friends laugh felt incredibly positive and uplifting.

When I decided to pursue a career in the arts, my parents were not thrilled. I understand now that they were just trying to protect me, but their concerns only fueled my determination. Despite trying various paths, I discovered that acting and improv were my true passions. I had an exceptional theater teacher in high school, Cinny Toepke, who mentored me and honed my skills as an actor and director. She even accompanied me to Long Beach State to ensure I got into the right college classes. No one in my family had attended college before, but Cinny went above and beyond to ensure my success.

In college, I thrived in theater, writing, and directing, falling even more in love with the craft. After graduation, I moved to Los Angeles and joined iO West, an improv theater that had recently opened a branch in LA. Seeing a long-form improv show there was a revelation for me—it was everything I wanted to do, though I hadn’t known it existed until that moment. I signed up for classes the next day, and the rest is history. I went on to appear in over 50 commercials, work on Emmy-winning TV shows, write for television, and eventually become a multiple business owner in the art form that nurtured me.

However, everything came to a halt in 2020 with the pandemic. Adding to the challenges, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer a month after the pandemic started, and I moved home for a year to care for him. Balancing his care with teaching online sketch classes was the most difficult time of my life. Despite feeling like I was in an underappreciated and unimportant industry, I realized how crucial it was to bring laughter and hope to others.

After my dad passed away in April 2021, I had to dig deep. With the support of my wife, mom, and business partner Josh Nicols, we lifted each other up and Josh and I decided to rebrand Voodoo Comedy as RISE Comedy. This change was not only to help inspire ourselves but also to help others rise from the challenges we all faced. I learned that our industry is not the least appreciated but one of the most important in bringing humanity back to the masses and making them laugh again.

Today, we continue to pursue our mission, making the world a little better in our own way.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Josh and I have known each other since 2012 when he attended Improv Utopia, the non-profit I founded. I immediately took a liking to Josh, and as we talked, we discovered a deep connection and shared philosophy. We became fast friends, and I would often teach and attend the Orange County Improv Festival and Improv Cup, two fantastic events Josh had created.

Later in our relationship, I had the chance to work with Josh at Westside Comedy in Los Angeles. As the Artistic Director and Marketing Manager, I was thrilled when Josh joined as the Education Director. When the opportunity arose to purchase the comedy club, I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I asked Josh to be my partner, embracing the improv philosophy we both believe in that has made us successful and Josh and I have embodied those principle ever since.

Our friendship and partnership have flourished, with our families growing close and our support for each other remaining unwavering. We continue to thrive as friends and business owners, united by our shared vision and mutual respect.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.risecomedy.com, www.improvutopia.org, www.nickarmstrong.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrenergy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nickarmstrong61
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-armstrong-87495475/
• Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therealnickarmstrong