Local comedian brings laughter and mental health awareness to the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in Anchorage beginning June 12

ANCHORAGE, AK — Anchorage native Bradley Butcher is launching a summer comedy series, titled Comedy Up North, presented in partnership with the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in the Sydney Laurence Theatre. The series is bringing nationally touring comedians to Alaska for a run of stand-up comedy shows that spotlight great comedy and normalizing mental health. The summer series will start on June 12th and run through July, and then it will continue once a month throughout the rest of the year.

The shows aim to do more than entertain — they’re designed to help break the stigma around mental health by using comedy as a way to connect and open the conversation. Butcher, who has personally had his own experience with mental health, is committed to creating a space where people feel seen and supported.

A lifelong Anchorage resident, Butcher discovered his passion for comedy at a young age, and in 2016 moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in stand-up comedy while earning his degree in marketing. Since returning to Alaska, he’s continued performing and producing comedy shows with a deeper purpose.

In the lead-up to the summer performances at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Butcher has also been hosting a live comedy series titled Comedy by the Creek at The Peanut Farm. This series brought together local and touring comedians for intimate, high-energy shows and has quickly become a favorite among Anchorage comedy fans.

In addition to his work in comedy, Butcher plans to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology to later become a therapist and further his efforts in supporting mental health in the community.

Comedy Up North will take place on four Thursday nights this summer: June 12, June 26, July 10, and July 24.

Tickets go on sale May 9 at www.ComedyUpNorth.com and Centertix.com

Summer Lineup:

• June 12 – Michael Lenoci
• June 26 – Nicole Aimée Schreiber
• July 10 – Ian Edwards
• July 24 – Jade Catta-Preta