On any given night, fans of comedy can find a handful of comics standing under spotlights, clutching a mic and chasing laughter. Some are seasoned performers, others are first timers, but all share the same mission — to make Southeast Texas laugh one punchline at a time.
Across Southeast Texas, local comedians are building a tight-knit community that thrives on persistence, humor and heart. For performers like Chad Perron, Shameka Gowen, Devan Callihan and David Hicks, stand-up isn’t just entertainment — it’s a creative outlet, a coping mechanism, and proof that a powerful comedy scene can exist far beyond a major city.
Perron is part of the comedy roots in Beaumont at Pour09 Bar and Rooftop’s Tuesday open mic. Perron has been performing in Beaumont since 2016 and describes his style as experimental.
“I try to wrap an intellectual thought in absurdity and find a way to make that funny to everyone,” Perron said. “At my most basic I am an observational comic who relies on puns, mirrors or reverses, and sometimes niche references.”
Perron said that he normally has a funny idea or concept naturally and will try to elaborate on it. He interacts with other comics and performs at other venues and then tries to extend or “tag” and “callback” to that idea.
Perron said the Beaumont scene struggles to gain recognition, but it is not for a lack of trying. Despite the challenges, Perron says the city’s audiences are among the most encouraging.
“In my experience there is always a great audience when you can get lots of people together,” he said. “Sometimes that’s hard to do, but I find the group of people who have come together in Beaumont is much more accepting and supportive than the larger scenes.”
Comedy is more than art — it’s therapy and a way to give back to the local community, Perron said.
“I have a real stake in our scene as I am a small part of its community,” he said. “I try to help build it with others. It ebbs and flows, but I can say that without it, I would be in a mental breakdown. It’s the closest thing to therapy I have ever felt. It’s helpful for my mental health.”
Hicks, known to the community as SuppaTheEmcee, hosts Pour09’s open mic evenings, which include poetry and music, as well as comedy. He started the Beaumont group Comedy 409 to give everyone a chance to shine.
“This was a way to start my stand-up comedy career and to give other artists a platform to perform,” he said.
Hicks said the most challenging part about hosting Comedy 409 events for the past three years is finding consistency. But through hard work and determination, he said he has noticed an impact.
“The scene is growing daily,” he said.
Hicks encourages comedians and newcomers to keep pressing on and try to have fun.
Callihan said famous comedians inspired him, such as Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor and Jerry Seinfield, proving one can wittily commentate on life and people will enjoy it.
Callihan first started doing comedy in Houston about six years ago. He said part of the comedy process is dealing with hecklers and tough crowds.
“I just power through, give my all, and don’t take it personally,” he said. “The ringleader has to power through, and when a joke doesn’t land, I usually say something dumb or funny afterwords to save it.”
Callihan aspires to perform at festivals and to get on the circuit and start touring.
“The main goal is to just joy bomb these mofo’s,” he said.
While most comics in Beaumont are men, 409 Comedy also has a few female comics. Gowen said being a female comedian has its challenges, and she has faced her fair share of misogynistic hecklers.
However, Gowen said she still finds the community of comics to be supportive and encouraging. If one person shines, she said, then it shines on every comic in the community.
“I rarely admit it, but I would like to make a career out of this,” she said. “I would like to get national attention and book shows worldwide. But starting small, I want to build my confidence and have fun.
“The world is full of darkness and hardship — I want to be the bright spot in someone’s day.”
For showtimes, visit the 409 Comedy Facebook page.