What a beautiful, beautiful run!
For ten years (2014 through 2023), An Evening with the 'Rents was a like-no-other stand up comedy benefit event held in the Kansas City area. Through the years, thousands of guests enjoyed hilarious nights out--finding humor and joy in shared experiences, together with those who "get it."
What started out as an opportunity for parents (a.k.a. 'Rents) of children on the autism spectrum to take the stage to share their experiences through a different, comical lens morphed into a beautiful comedy opportunity for other loved ones and for adult autistics to step up to the mic. For months leading up to each event, the (often first-time) comedians worked alongside local comedians to craft their very raw life experiences into hilariously touching stories that promised to encourage and enlighten audiences.
It created an electric atmosphere where everyone could leave their troubles at the door and experience freedom and community through laughter.
SO MUCH GRATITUDE
Camp Encourage, a Kansas City nonprofit serving youth on the autism spectrum, was the beneficiary of each event and is tremendously grateful for every chuckling guest, every generous donor, and each volunteer producer, director, and comedian. A special thanks is extended to founders Keenan Stump and Matt Braun for their leadership in the early years and for passing the baton (until the final year) to years of amazing directors and comedians.
What a beautiful ride 'Rents was! May you never forget that laughter heals, that finding a community of people that understand and accept is essential, and that seeing life a bit more lightheartedly is life altering.
