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The Creek and The Cave
About Us
The Creek and The Cave has spent two decades giving comedians a place to find their voice—and audiences a chance to hear it first.
Our story began in Long Island City, Queens, where Rebecca Trent took over the Creek in 2006 and built a home for independent comedy. It was a place to get onstage, try something strange, develop an hour, and find your people. New comedians worked alongside established names. The conversations after the shows could be as important as the shows themselves.
Donald Glover, Michael Che, Michelle Wolf, and countless others became part of that community. Glover has spoken publicly about how Rebecca’s offer of space at the Creek helped lead him into stand-up. In a personal message to her, he put it this way:
“The Creek changed my life. I wouldn’t be here without you and your influence.”
That spirit shaped everything we built. Our developmental series, Week at the Creek, gave performers time and space to work. Cave Comedy Radio gave early opportunities to budding pod and broad casters. Colin Quinn developed Unconstitutional at the Creek before taking it Off-Broadway with Rebecca directing.
Rebecca’s work grew beyond the venue, too. She co-created What’s Your F@&king Deal with Big Jay Oakerson and co-founded Skankfest with Luis J. Gomez and Christine Evans. The Creek’s belief in giving comedians room to create became the foundation for shows, collaborations, and a festival with a community of its own.
When the pandemic forced the Queens location to close in 2020, Rebecca took the marquee with her. In April 2021, the Creek opened in downtown Austin, welcoming audiences back to live comedy and serving as many headliners’ first club engagement after the shutdown.
The Austin stage has already become part of stand-up history. Shane Gillis recorded his debut special, Live in Austin, here. Jay Larson filmed Sounds Like Bruce, Nick Callas filmed Wolf Pup, and Vanessa Gonzalez filmed Mamona. The Creek has also hosted GaS Digital’s half-hour specials and the taping of Tom Segura’s stand-up series.
We’ve carried our New York sensibility into this Texas chapter: intimate shows, an independent streak, room to experiment, and a community that stays long after the last set. Austin’s local talent is central to that community, sharing the stage with touring favorites and helping write the Creek’s next chapter.
As Andrew W.K. wrote after appearing at the original location, the Creek had “rightly earned its nickname ‘the CBGB’s of comedy.’”
We’re proud of that history. And every night, we open the doors for whatever happens next.
Come see someone you already love. Discover someone new. Grab a drink and stay awhile.
Explore the Creek’s story
- Donald Glover on finding stand-up at the Creek — His 2010 interview describes his first Creek moments.
- Colin Quinn’s Unconstitutional — The original theater’s production archive, crediting Rebecca A. Trent as director.
- Watch Shane Gillis: Live in Austin — The official special, recorded at the Creek.
- Watch Jay Larson: Sounds Like Bruce — Jay’s official release, with his thank-you to Rebecca and the Creek staff in the description.
- Vanessa Gonzalez on making Mamona at the Creek — Her discussion of the venue and Creek support begins around 18:51.
- Kumail Nanjiani remembers the Creek — On Are You Garbage?, he recalls performing at the Queens location on his first day living in New York, around 54:33.