Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Provstgaard
Hi Ryan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been a fan of comedy. I never set out to be on stage or even produce shows, but I knew I wanted to be part of whatever world that creates unforgettable moments—the kind where a packed room is laughing together, where artists have a place to sharpen their craft, and where the wallflowers of society can build a community.
That’s exactly what’s happening to Utah’s Live Comedy Scene right now, and I’m proud to be at the center of it with Happy Valley Comedy.
I started as a fan, and I still am today. But somewhere along the way, I became part of the industry. I went from watching comedians like Kyle Kinane, Beth Stelling, Dave Attell, and Tom Segura—to actually working with them. Producing shows, fostering new talent, and building opportunities for comics in Salt Lake City, Provo, and Park City has given me a front-row seat to something special—Utah’s comedy scene isn’t just growing; It’s Thriving!
That growth and the hard work from local comedians and producers is why Don’t Tell Comedy, a national brand, took notice of what we were building in Utah. After two years of partnering together, we’ve been selling out shows at a high rate, proving that Utah’s Live Comedy Scene is a force to be reckoned with. At the same time, Happy Valley Comedy continues to produce its own local shows, bringing both independent comedians and big-name headliners to packed crowds across the state.
One of our favorite venues is Downstairs in Park City, which was voted “Best Comedy Room” in Utah. It’s an incredible space for stand-up, and the energy there is always next-level. Happy Valley Comedy produced Pauly Shore’s show at Downstairs, and the turnout was insane—an electric crowd that proved just how much demand there is for high-quality comedy in Utah. We look forward to working with Downstairs more to bring the good people, and tourists of Park City even bigger shows than that. It’s a really exciting partnership.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any creative industry, comedy has its highs and lows. I’ve produced multiple sold-out shows, worked brand deals and sponsorships, and watched Utah-based comics I saw grow from their day one—hold their own alongside national touring acts. Those wins have proven that Utah isn’t just a flyover state for comedy. We’re here to play, and the crowds are hungry coming back for more.
But there have also been tough nights—shows with great lineups but low to zero turnouts, challenges in marketing or capital, and lessons learned the hard way. One of the biggest learning experiences came from being on the team that, in 2023, launched Boxcar Comedy Club in Springville. The club had moments of success where we experienced the highest of highs, but long-term sustainability was tough which brought the lowest of lows. That experience taught me that great ideas need structure, consistency, and financial backing. And biggest of all: Reward never comes without risk. I do not regret my involvement in Boxcar Comedy Club. I applaud those who set out with the dream and were willing to bring me along side them. And it taught me that I’ll never be content with just doing the safe or small choices when all I can dream of are the bigger moves with riskier paths.
So, despite any challenges—Happy Valley Comedy thankfully continues to grow. Always giving me a humbling outlook that the path to success is paved with the failures that can be put behind if one barrels forward. I appreciate every failure, and the many more I’m sure are to come.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Happy Valley Comedy is about more than just putting on shows with the signature yellow microphone—it’s about creating a thriving comedy community in Salt Lake City, Provo, and Park City. We produce stand-up events featuring both local talent and national headliners, with a focus on making sure comedians always get paid, especially what they’re worth to the best of our means possible.
There’s a long-standing culture in comedy clubs and bigger markets like LA, New York, and Vegas where local comics are expected to grind for free. Taking food and drink tabs or “stage time” as payment. I don’t believe in that. Too many talented comedians struggle because they aren’t given the value they deserve. As well as selling their own self short by being willing to work in those conditions rather than standing up for their worth. More comedians stand to loose with that mindset and that’s not how Happy Valley Comedy, or the comedians we work with, strive to operate. I’m not saying I’ve perfected the system, but I make it a point to pay comedians for their work no matter what—whether they’re performing at a sold-out show in Park City, or a smaller local event in Provo. I’ve worked hard to bring in sponsorships from brands like Bucked Up, Holistic Spirits Co., local brewers, and real estate groups to ensure funding is there.
Sadly there’s a lot of abuse within even our own scene and it’s tough to watch hard working comedians get dismissed by the systems that take advantage and profit off of their talents. Driving hours to a show for a paycheck that doesn’t even cover a full tank of gas—all because that show is in an environment that local comedians are told to strive for, isn’t how one should treat the talent they actually need. Something I think even the comedians themselves forget. Happy Valley Comedy’s goal is to help comedians know their worth by giving what it can to better the comedy community.
And to those comedians who want to grow their careers, or feel taken advantage of in the scene: I’m always available to help. Free of charge! Call me. Whether it’s teaching comics how to get booked on bigger shows, fine-tune their material by bouncing around ideas, or even help produce their own comedy events, Hit me up! Open invitation, seriously. Want to shadow at our next production? Need help punching up a joke? Have an idea for a show that you want to produce? Let’s Jam! You, myself, and the scene will better from the growth I hope to see.
I don’t see other productions, clubs, or educational opportunities in comedy as competition—I see them as part of building something bigger. Convincing the masses of Utah that live comedy is worth their time and money. Way I see it, comedy as a whole is competing not with itself but with Sunday Night Football, Pokemon Go, or the next terrible live action movie remake Disney puts out (I’m lookin at you Snow White). Anything that people choose to do other than a night of laughter is who we should be focused on rather than who else is telling jokes. This comedy scene isn’t just about Happy Valley Comedy—it’s about everyone putting in the work to grow stand-up in Utah.
With that, I have to shout out my fellow producers who are out there. First, Comedy Church and Wat Da Buc Productions. Who have been at this longer than I have and continue to grind to make sure comics have a place to perform. Tyler Bowthorpe and David Hone have been tirelessly putting on their own shows, pushing local Utah talent forward. And newer producers like Awkward Aitch and Antonio Iacobellis are bringing fresh energy by blending comedy with entirely unique perspectives and formats with communities on their own. Not to mention my amazing crew-mates Tayne Helsel and Dylan Anderson who continue to help me keep, not only the shows we produce a float and in order – but my actual sanity intact. Seriously, I don’t know how else to thank them. So I hope a small blurb in an internet magazine covers my gratitude – despite me knowing I know them so much more.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
The promising future of Utah’s Comedy scene excites me enough to be happy about it. This next year is going to be a game-changer for the scene. Starting April 1st, Happy Valley Comedy is bringing back the Laugh. Die. Repeat. challenge—a quarterly competition where comedians can win $100 by grinding the hardest, whether that’s through performing at shows, open mics, or even producing their own events. The goal? To reward the comics who are putting in the real work to build their careers.
Our next big show is in Orem at Library Hall Friday May 9th. We’ve had a tremendous partnership with Orem Library Hall and we can’t wait to bring comedy back there again. Last show was a smash hit with nearly 300 people attending our family friendly show. I’m excited to top that with bigger acts such as the very talented musical comedy genius: Short Jake. Who, with his key board and sharp whit will have the audience rolling with laughter all night long.
I’m also thrilled to start up another Utah County partnership that brings my comedy roots full circle—Happy Valley Comedy is teaming up with ImprovBroadway to produce frequent weekend shows in Provo, Utah to build their ever growing streaming service: Laugh Pass. Audiences can expect a blend of comedy styles—from stand-up, to improv performances, and musical comedy powered by some of the most creative minds in the scene. ImprovBroadway’s Laugh Pass is an exciting step toward growing Utah County’s comedy hub, as well as nationwide from viewers watching online.
Happy Valley Comedy is also organizing a Comedy Brew Tour in mid May—a two-weekend event with comedy shows in multiple local Utah breweries like Mountain West Cider and Fisher Beer; and comedians of the likes of Adam Broud, Aaron Woodall and Luke Severied—who will be headlining for his first time in Salt Lake City May 23rd at KiiTOS Brewing. With the hope of each show produced by different local comedy organizers. It’s a way to bring comedy into new spaces while supporting the local businesses that have already been amazing partners for live entertainment.
And the biggest project on the horizon? A full-fledged Utah Comedy Festival—a week packed with shows in multiple venues. With workshops, and networking opportunities designed to help comedians level up their comedy goals. From learning how to produce their own opportunities to building industry relationships and getting paid what they’re worth. This festival will be a massive step forward in making Salt Lake City, Provo, and Park City major comedy hubs.
But for me, despite my wife and two children—within this comedy world, happiness on a much more individual level, or even the communal that I cherish so much; its sitting in the back of a show watching a comedian absolutely destroy a room. It’s the sound of laughter, the energy of an engaged audience, and knowing that the work put in behind the scenes made that moment possible.
Comedy is more than just entertainment, it’s connection and moments to share together in that room. Even if the audience forgets it the next day at least we had that moment here and now.
But for me personally, it’s watching these comedians get the validation they deserve that makes so much of this worth it. Because it’s always been about community for me. Together, not just one person, becomes the force that pushes the scene forward and keeps the crowds coming back for more. This isn’t just my journey, it’s ours. And if we keep building together, there’s no limit to where we can take Utah’s comedy scene.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.flowcode.com/page/happyvalleycomedy
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyvalleycomedy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Happy-Valley-Comedy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyValleyComedy
