



April 22 – 23, 2023
Excused Absence Festival
Comedy for All Ages
ColdTowne Theater – Zach Theatre
Austin, Texas
Sure, it’s PG. But it’s also hilarious.
Two Days of Comedy Shows, Performance Opportunities, Workshops & More
Who Attends the Fest? Comedy fans, performers, students and educators of all ages and backgrounds.
Who Performs at the Fest? Improv and Sketch Troupes from Austin and beyond. Most sets include both youth & adult acts. We are proud to include some of Austin’s most talented comics as well as up-and-comers of all ages.
Who Teaches at the Fest? Faculty members, coaches, performers and directors from Austin’s acclaimed comedy scene.
Where is the Fest? Austin, Texas! Saturday events are held at Zach Theatre. Sunday events take place at ColdTowne Theater.
What happens at the Fest? Saturday at Zach begins with workshops (register here), followed by performances beginning at 5 pm. Sunday’s events at ColdTowne are set up as a marathon-style series of shows between noon and 6 pm. We divide the day into 50-minute blocks that start at the top of each hour. Blocks generally include two youth acts and an adult act. (Tickets here) Opportunities for socializing happen throughout.



ExAb Fest is a unique opportunity for audiences of all ages to see some Austin’s best comedy acts in an all ages setting. Sure, it’s PG. But it’s also hilarious.
The most fun you can have in a theater.*
*Why not?
First held in 2015 at ColdTowne Theater, ExAb Fest is a yearly comedy festival that features original comedy from performers of all ages.
The Festival includes an All Ages Comedy Marathon, Workshops, Social Events and Performance Opportunities. Featuring the some of the best Improv, Sketch and Stand Up acts from Austin and Beyond.