STG Presents 30th Annual Seattle International Stand Up Comedy Competition at The Moore Theatre in Seattle on Sunday, November 29, 2009. See the grand finale of this touring comedy festival-slash-elimination contest, now in its 30th year.

After 18 shows, the five finalists have been chosen in the 30th Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition. In alphabetical order, they are  Paul Hooper (Charlotte), Sean Kent (Austin),  Rodger Lizaola (Seattle), Travis Simmons (Seattle), and Jose Sarduy (Miami).

The winner will be chosen at the “Final-Final” show at Seattle’s Moore Theatre, in a show co-produced with the Peoples Republic of Komedy.

The winner gets $5000 cash and a CD recording contract (with a $1000 advance) from Uproar Entertainment, America’s #1 comedy label (Brian Regan, John Pinnette, National Lampoon, etc).

The Competition consists of 23 shows over 26 days in 19 venues in Western Washington and features 32 professional comedians competing for over $15,000 in cash prizes.

This competition began in 1980, and has been held every year since.  Past participants include Patton Oswalt, Mitch Hedberg, Ross Shafer, Aisha Tyler, Brian Posehn, among many others.

Recently, 2007 Winner “Marcus” went on to be the runner-up on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”

The 30th Annual Seattle International StandUp Comedy Competition is sponsored by Pagliacci Pizza. Mmmmm.