Stand-up pro Kemah Bob is on a mission to help women and trans folks take up more space in comedy
Comedian Kemah Bob is inviting new talent to FOC IT UP! Fest. (Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Comedian Kemah Bob is inviting new talent to FOC IT UP! Fest. (Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Navigating an industry dominated by white, cisgender, heterosexual men takes a lot of courage, thankfully, Kemah Bob is brimming with it.
In 2018, she founded The Femmes of Colour Comedy Club, better known as FOC, with the aim of giving women and trans comedians the tools to take over the comedy world.
The American comedian, who uses she/they pronouns, has appeared on Richard Osman’s House of Games and BBC’s QI. Her comedic skill is undeniable, and through FOC she boldly platforms anyone who isn’t a white, cisgender man – and for good reason.
At the end of last year, a study from the University of California concluded that more than 90 per cent of streaming shows scripted in 2024 were created by a white person, while a different opinion piece, published in the I Paper in June 2025, highlighted that new commissions announced by BBC comedy have almost entirely been programmes by white men.
In a bid to break the norm, the 31-year-old is hosting a one-day event on 18 April, aptly named FOC IT UP! Fest. The event will celebrate women, trans, non-binary and queer comedians at Soho Theatre.
Kemah emphasised that they are looking to platform comedians who are women, trans men and non-binary.
“We have the space, but it doesn’t seem that that talent is coming forward at the moment.
“One of the workshops we’re doing is an intro to comedy for trans and gender non-confirming people. I really want to cultivate that talent,” she shared.
Comedy where you don’t ‘end up being a punchline’
Throughout the day, there will be two workshops, each designed to teach participants how to use their voices, followed by two industry-focused panels. One panel will feature ITV comedy commissioner Nana Hughes and BBC Radio 4 comedy and entertainment commissioner Julia McKenzie, who will share invaluable insight into navigating the industry.
“FOC is able to give people the opportunity to perform on a line-up with other people of colour and other queer people. To be able to perform in front of an audience that isn’t looking at you from a white gaze,” she said, explaining that rapport and respect must be built to create good comedy.
“People of colour and queer people in the audience don’t have to worry that they’re going to end up being a punchline. So many people I know don’t go to comedy shows because they don’t know about the alternative scene. We want our girlies to feel safe, at home, represented and seen.”
‘Hilarious, captivating and smart comedy’
Having attended Kemah’s FOC IT UP! Comedy Club show, which offers a different line-up every time, at Soho Theatre earlier this month, I can confirm that the environment felt completely safe, with a sense of collective, shared joy.
“It’s my favourite gig,” she said of hosting her events, which she said are increasingly encouraging more diverse audiences.
Her passion comes through. For once, the jokes didn’t lead to gasps, uncomfortable silences, or people looking around the room to see if anyone was unsettled – it was just hilarious, captivating and smart comedy.
They shared that they are continually planning and seeking funding and sponsorship. Regardless, they are doing all they can to make the show as accessible as possible for everyone.
In order to make the shows accessible, Kemah is putting on performances for half price (£8) at Elephant and Castle’s The Queer Comedy Club.
The team at FOC is also growing, and anyone interested in volunteering can also reach out via the website or on social media, where further details regarding the workshop and comedy show tickets can be found.
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