Kalliope Barlis Named Ladies of Laughter Finalist

Kalliope Barlis, 2026 Top Ten Finalist, Ladies of Laughter National Competition.

Kalliope Barlis, the New York City stand-up comedian, has been named a Top Ten Finalist in the 2026 Ladies of Laughter National Competition. Barlis will perform before industry judges on October 21 at 7 p.m. at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on West 42nd Street. The finalists will compete for theater bookings, publicity, and the Ladies of Laughter title. The competition places Barlis among 10 national finalists in the women’s comedy showcase.

National Competition Showcase

The 2026 showcase will be hosted by Poppy Champlin, winner of the 2024 Ladies of Laughter National Professional Competition. Previous contestants and winners include Amy Schumer, Zarna Garg, and Michelle Buteau.

Kalliope Barlis, stand-up comedian, said:

“Still letting this sink in. Being selected as a 2026 Ladies of Laughter Top Ten Finalist is an honor and a privilege, and I'm so grateful to Ladies of Laughter for everything they do to lift up women in comedy.”

From Golf To Comedy

Before pursuing comedy, Barlis played golf professionally from 1997 to 2000. Her competitive record includes the club championship at Bally’s Links in New York City in 2020 and third place at the 2022 Aramco Team Series Pro-Am.

She is also a Licensed Master Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and a three-time best-selling author. Her titles include Phobia Relief: From Fear to Freedom and the Play Golf Better Faster book series. Her TEDx talk has surpassed 2 million views, while the docu-series she produced and directed, Kalliope’s From Fear to Freedom, has won more than three dozen film festival awards and streams on Prime Video, Tubi, and Apple TV.

A Full Comedy Calendar

Barlis’ clean material draws on a loud Greek household, competitive sport, and the fears people carry without discussing. She headlines a monthly show at West Side Comedy Club and has appeared at The Gotham Comedy Club, New York Comedy Club, Copacabana, Governors, Zanies Nashville, Don’t Tell, and Next In Line Comedy Club in Philadelphia.

Earlier in 2026, she was a finalist in MicdUpNYC in Times Square. Her schedule also includes appearances at the New York Comedy Festival, the New South Comedy Festival, and the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Barlis has taken the stage more than 300 times in 15 months.

Tour Dates Follow Competition

Following the Ladies of Laughter competition, Barlis will join Felicia Madison for The KFC, or Kalliope and Felicia Comedy, Tour. Opening dates include Hyena’s Comedy Nightclub in Dallas on October 21, Stress Factory Comedy Club in New Brunswick on October 25, Stress Factory in Bridgeport on October 29, and Stress Factory in Valley Forge on October 30.

Kalliope Barlis, stand-up comedian, said:

“My plan is to spread good feelings here at home in America and across the world. I'm only human, but comedy is how I'm going to do it.”

New York Competition Date

The Ladies of Laughter 2026 Top Ten National Competition will take place Wednesday, October 21, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42nd Street. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show beginning at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $40 plus fees, with limited seating.