The Blue Room came alive with laughter and music on October 11, 2024, during the inaugural “Comedy for a Cause: A Night of Laughter and Lyrics.” Organized by Dancing with the Statesboro Stars (DWTSS) Team Duvall/Schwertfeger, the event successfully raised $5,000 for Safe Haven. The night featured a mix of TikTok-famous comedians and talented local musicians, creating a dynamic and unforgettable experience for attendees.
Ashley Duvall, co-leader of Team Duvall/Schwertfeger, envisioned the variety show as a unique way to fundraise for Safe Haven. “When I started my Statesboro Dancing with the Stars journey, I knew I had two left feet, but I’m competitive,” she said. “If I couldn’t win the mirror ball for dancing, I could try to win it for fundraising. I’ve always lived by my dad’s motto—‘Go big, or go home’—and I wanted to put together a show that had something for everyone.”
The event featured TikTok comedians Britany Smith, Justin “Southern Grandpa” Stagner, and Amanda “Charlene Trailer Park Queen” Meadows, each bringing their own brand of Southern humor. The show’s comedic lineup, however, wasn’t the only highlight of the evening. Musicians Cade Beecher and Ben Bates took the stage following the comedy acts, delivering country music performances that kept the energy high and the audience engaged.
Duvall shared that bringing the event to life wasn’t easy. At first, she had an idea of a few places that she could get the event, but they didn't work out. In her search for an alternative, she connected with William Bridwell, owner of the Blue Room. “I had to pitch the idea hard,” she recalled. “They usually do concerts, not comedy, but William and his team took a chance on us, and it exceeded all our expectations.”
Despite a few challenges, including securing approval from Safe Haven’s executive board for the adult content, the show was a success. Duvall convinced Britany Smith to step out of her comfort zone and perform live, while Smith’s connections helped secure fellow TikTok stars Stagner and Meadows. “It was all about building a network and getting creative,” Duvall said.
Britney Smith stated that when Duvall initially reached out to her, she said "Ain’t no way I’m getting on stage, sister," but after talking her through what the cause was for, Smith was all in.
On the night of the event, the Blue Room was packed, with over 230 tickets sold and several donated to hurricane-impacted community members. Attendees enjoyed an evening of laughs, followed by the musical talents of Beecher and Bates, whose performances brought a lively, country atmosphere to the night. “They really made the event special,” Duvall added.
Duvall expressed her appreciation for everyone who supported the event, including Victoria Gaitten of Gaitten Creative for marketing materials and the OTC Printing Department for their work on event flyers. “The event was a massive success, beyond my wildest dreams. I absolutely would love to make Comedy for a Cause an annual event, supporting various charities in our community,” she said. “I hope to continue this journey with Britany Smith as my partner for years to come.”
"We laughed, we raised money for a great cause, and we had a good time. In my book, that’s a successful show," said Smith.
With the success of this year’s show, Duvall and Team Duvall/Schwertfeger are already thinking about how to expand their impact and bring even more entertainment and support to the community in future events.