The work of a comedian is not for everyone. It certainly isn’t for pseudo-politicians like Donald Trump who try to joke that Heidi Klum is no longer a 10 (what do mere peasants have to live for if Heidi Klum is a 9.9, truly?) 

At La Nuit Comedy Theater, however, a comfortably small establishment on the corner of Freret Street and Soniat Street — comedy is for pretty much everyone. 

“We have a very inclusive culture,” owner and founder Yvonne Landry said. “People are not excluded; we’re not clique-y at all.”

With inclusivity comes the inevitable chance of a cringeworthy performance that may deter many a comedy fan the possibility of a nightmarish act that manages to garner naught but the blaring chirp of cicadas faintly in the distance. 

To manager Kelly Stone, the chance for such a discovery is what makes the club so great. 

“This place has a soul,” Stone said. “You go through some of the darker places, and then a gem emerges…and only the people that come here get to see it. It only happens one time.”

In the hopes of awarding every determined performer at least a few laughs, the NOLA Comedy Theater also offers classes and workshops to help polish, or even begin cultivating, improvisation and stand-up comedy skills.

“Not everyone is gonna become HBO, Comedy Central or Netflix, but if you just want to have fun and get out of your comfort zone,” co-manager Mike Swenson said. “Improv classes can help you talk to people, get you going, make your creative juices flow.”

With classes to build beginners from the bottom up, free stand-up shows on Friday and Saturday nights for budding comedians to showcase their skills, and comedy festival regulars like Zach Galifianakis, La Nuit Comedy Theater caters to any budget, age group or skill level.

“We’re meeting all sorts of people,” Swenson said. “They’re from all different walks of life, and they all come in and try to be funny for each other.”