A Brooklyn-Inspired Digital Comedy Experience
The creators of The Soapstone Comedy Club, known for blending community and comedy in virtual reality, have launched Soapstone Comedy – NYC, a new venue in Meta Horizon modeled after the energy and skyline of Brooklyn, New York. Founder Aaron Sorrels
, a comedian and self-described “Unemployed Alcoholic,” said the team wanted to build a space that catered to a more mature audience while honoring the cultural heartbeat of real-world comedy.
“New York felt like the right setting, it’s iconic and sets a tone that our older users resonate with,” Sorrels said. The space features virtual recreations of DUMBO, complete with the Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn Bridge, and even the Statue of Liberty.
Weekly Shows and LaughFest Headliners
The launch of Soapstone Comedy – NYC coincides with the club’s summer series, “Soapstone Comedy Presents,” featuring comedians from Gilda’s LaughFest, a nationally recognized comedy festival held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The series kicks off with Katie Hannigan, followed by performances from Keith McGill, Mayce Galoni, Paula Kosienski, and Gabby Bryan.
These performances, originally taped for LaughFest, have been reimagined for the VR stage, giving audiences a front-row seat to comedy, now as avatars. Hannigan’s debut show, which premiered at noon PT today, includes clever bits about relationships, technology, and engagement proposals.
Meta Quest users aged 18 and older can subscribe to the series through the Meta Horizon mobile app or via the web at horizon.meta.com.
@soapstonecomedy Don’t miss @katiehanniganforever tonight as she headlines our first show in Soapstone Comedy NYC and the first of our new series Soapstone Comedy Presents LaughFest #virtualreality
♬ original sound – The Soapstone Comedy Club – The Soapstone Comedy Club
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Building a Positive VR Comedy Community
Creating a supportive space for comedy in VR comes with its challenges, but Sorrels and his team lean into three core values: encourage people to step into the spotlight, empower emerging leaders, and share what they learn. That culture, he says, helps foster a rare environment of encouragement and collaboration in an often cutthroat comedy world.
“What’s most exciting is how VR gives new comedians a chance to overcome stage fright,” said Sorrels. “Being an avatar adds just enough distance that it helps people feel brave enough to step up.”
To date, over 60 professional comedians have performed in Soapstone’s VR venues, including Jay Pharoah, Pete Holmes, and rising talents like T-Barb and Adam Degi.
Bridging Tech and Laughter
Designing an immersive comedy experience comes with creative and technical hurdles, most notably, recreating the contagious energy of live audience laughter. “Laughter is social,” Sorrels explained. “If no one else is laughing, it can break the vibe of a show. So we’ve put a lot of thought into making sure our venues have responsive audiences.”
The environment also includes interactive mini-games, open mic nights, and hangout areas, with the goal of mimicking the spontaneity of a real-world comedy club.
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From Sobriety to Soapstone
Sorrels’s own journey into the metaverse began after he left his job in 2016 to focus on sobriety. Through recovery programs and a pivotal performance at LaughFest, he discovered a passion for comedy and storytelling. When COVID-19 shut down in-person venues, he turned to Meta Horizon as a creative outlet, and built Soapstone from the ground up.
“I never would’ve predicted this, but here we are,” he said. “I’m eight years sober and running a comedy club in VR. It’s surreal in the best way.”
What’s Next for Soapstone Comedy?
The Soapstone team isn’t slowing down. Sorrels hinted at ongoing innovation in format, technology, and audience engagement. “I can’t tell you exactly what’s next, but I can tell you it’s going to be fun,” he said.
For comedy fans, creators, and curious VR users alike, Soapstone Comedy – NYC offers a bold new chapter in digital entertainment, one laugh at a time.
