Meta, in partnership with The Soapstone Comedy Club, is revolutionizing the way we experience live comedy with a new virtual reality (VR) comedy series, Soapstone Comedy Presents. Premiering November 21st on Meta Horizon, the series kicks off with a headlining performance by comedian Ron Funches, with more comedy specials from stars like Jay Pharoah, Pete Holmes, Natasha Leggero, Jesus Trejo, and Cristela Alonzo to follow through February. The groundbreaking VR experience aims to bring the thrill of live comedy to audiences in an immersive and interactive setting, where every seat is the best seat in the house.
The Future of VR Comedy: Accessibility and Innovation
Meta’s vision for Soapstone Comedy Presents extends beyond just providing entertainment; it seeks to connect comedy fans worldwide while pushing the boundaries of how virtual entertainment can be consumed. The series is available to Meta Quest headset owners and can also be accessed via the Meta Horizon web and mobile platforms, making it possible for a global audience to step into a virtual comedy club from the comfort of their homes.
In an interview with Sarah Malkin, Director of Metaverse Entertainment at Meta, she explained the benefits of making the series available across multiple platforms. “Giving people the power to engage on multiple platforms allows us to bring these brilliant comedy performances to even larger audiences. Whether they’re using the Meta Quest 3 or the Meta Horizon mobile app, fans can step inside the virtual Soapstone Comedy Club and enjoy their favorite comedians, as well as interact with each other,” Malkin said.
As the world moves towards more virtual forms of entertainment, Malkin believes VR comedy has the potential to become a permanent fixture in the comedy industry. “Technology has long empowered new forms of entertainment that comedians adopt and make their own. As adoption of mixed and virtual reality continues to grow, we’ll keep investing in immersive experiences that push the boundary of how fans can connect with their favorite artists and comedians,” she added.
Inside the Soapstone Comedy Club
Soapstone Comedy Club, a virtual venue built within Meta Horizon, aims to replicate the dynamic and spontaneous atmosphere of a live comedy show. According to Aaron Sorrels, the creator of The Soapstone Comedy Club, the goal was to create a virtual experience that feels as authentic as attending a comedy show in person. “I spent years at Dr. Grins Comedy Club in Grand Rapids, MI, just watching the audience behaviors, how their anticipation built, and the way they engaged with the comedians. We have replicated this experience in VR with real people in real audiences watching real comedians being really funny!” Sorrels explained.
The virtual world allows audiences to interact with one another as well as the performers, creating a sense of camaraderie among fans from all over the world. “There is an amazing sense of presence with Meta Quest. Because of the immersive visuals and spatial sound, you feel like you are ‘in’ a place and not just ‘watching’ a thing. This makes for an amazing sense of connection with the comedian, their material, and perhaps most importantly, the fans from all over the world that are right next to you experiencing the same thing at the same time,” Sorrels noted.
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Moreover, Sorrels emphasized that the Soapstone Comedy Club isn’t just for well-known headliners. The platform has also opened up opportunities for emerging talent to perform in front of global audiences. “In addition to these superstars, we regularly book nationally touring headliners to perform and produce over 20 live events each week,” Sorrels shared. “We’re even hosting $1,000 spotlight shows where up-and-coming comedians or vocalists can audition for a chance to perform with us. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people find their spotlight in a space like this.”
Comedians Weigh In: The Virtual Comedy Experience
The comedians who have been part of Soapstone Comedy Presents are excited about the unique opportunities offered by performing in a virtual environment. Ron Funches, who headlines the series’ first special, expressed his enthusiasm for connecting with fans worldwide without the need to travel. “As someone who started streaming and spending more time in VR during the pandemic, I’m attracted to the ability to connect with people from all around the world from the comfort of my own home,” Funches said.
For Funches, the virtual experience feels natural, and he believes VR can enhance the comedy experience by providing a level of accessibility that traditional comedy clubs can’t offer. “It’s a comedy special and a fun live show wherever you are. No two drink minimum, no paying for parking, all of the fun!” Funches added.
Natasha Leggero, another comedian featured in the series, was drawn to the idea of performing comedy in VR for the convenience it offers. “Anyone who does stand-up for a living will tell you the worst part of the job is the travel,” Leggero explained. “If we could do stand-up from the comfort of our homes and never have to fly to Albany, we would be much happier. So, I was excited about the prospects of a world where that could be reality!”
However, performing in VR does come with its own set of challenges. Jesus Trejo, who also stars in the series, shared how performing as an avatar can be a unique experience. “What’s super cool about performing in VR is that if the audience loves a joke, they throw virtual confetti, hahaha. You don’t get that at a regular comedy club. Sure, there’s laughter and applause, but the confetti makes this comedy show unique,” Trejo said.
Performing in VR also requires a shift in the usual performance style. “You focus on your rhythm and take pauses that you expect to be there in the live show. Just have to slow down,” Funches explained. Leggero added that despite the lack of physical audience feedback, the experience felt surprisingly similar to a traditional comedy show. “It was quite a strange experience that my timing stayed the same. I’m not exactly sure why it felt so similar to an actual stand-up show, but I guess that’s a good thing for Meta and a bad thing for Laughs R Us comedy club in Peoria,” Leggero joked.
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What to Expect from Soapstone Comedy Presents
As for what viewers can expect from the Soapstone Comedy Presents VR series, Funches is confident that audiences will walk away feeling better than before. “I do lifestyle comedy that is both sweet and authentic and sometimes dark. You can expect to feel better than you did before you watched it,” Funches said of his special. Trejo, who found the VR experience to be both fun and engaging, believes that the virtual world brings a new level of accessibility to comedy fans. “It feels like you’re right on stage with me, and hopefully, you’ll feel my joy and want to be friends,” he said.
The interactive nature of VR comedy is something that will appeal to both casual fans and die-hard comedy enthusiasts. “It’s a win-win!” Leggero concluded. “You won’t have to leave your house, maybe not even your chair. Why not be at the forefront?”
A New Era for Comedy Fans
Soapstone Comedy Presents is an exciting new venture that promises to redefine the live comedy experience. Whether you’re a long-time fan of stand-up comedy or a newcomer to VR entertainment, this immersive comedy series offers something for everyone. The opportunity to experience world-class comedians in an innovative virtual setting, without the limitations of physical space or geography, is one of the many ways that VR is transforming how we consume entertainment.
Meta’s vision for the future of VR comedy goes beyond entertainment—it’s about creating a global, connected community where fans and performers alike can engage in new, dynamic ways. The combination of immersive technology and the enduring appeal of live comedy sets Soapstone Comedy Presents apart as an exciting preview of what’s to come in the future of virtual entertainment.
For more information, you can access Soapstone Comedy Presents through Meta Quest headsets, as well as on the web at horizon.meta.com and via the Meta Horizon app. The VR comedy series is available now, with new performances set to be released through February.
