Stand-up comedian
Stevie Ray performed his first comedy show at the age of nine and has been making people laugh ever since. He has entertained audiences from San Diego to Singapore, from Broadway showhouses, colleges and universities, to the local watering hole. His comedy is clean, fast-paced, and funny. Stevie has opened for such stars as Paula Poundstone, Rich Hall from Saturday Night Live, Marsha Warfield of Night Court, and “Weird Al” Yankovick.
Want to know how serious Stevie is about making people laugh? He designed his own college degree to study humor. He has a Bachelor’s degree in comedy…his parents are so proud! On the small screen Stevie has appeared on comedy specials including What’s So Funny and America’s Funniest People.
On the big screen he was featured in the New Line Cinema comedy, Sugar & Spice.
About
Stevie Ray, a native of Rochester Minnesota, has entertained audiences from San Diego to Singapore and is the founder and director of Stevie Ray’s Improv Company in Minneapolis. A professional stand-up comedian and improv performer since 1977, he is known for his clean and fast-paced style of humor.
Stevie has personally entertained over 300,000 audience members and has opened for such stars as Paula Poundstone, Rich Hall from Saturday Night Live, Marsha Warfield of Night Court, and “Weird Al” Yankovick. Stevie is also a beekeeper, a martial artist with four black belts, and at one point in his career was a bodyguard for Pee Wee Herman (yes, really!)
Recent Performances
- 2013 Wells Concrete Products, Albany, MN
- 2013 Pinnacle Publishing, Bemidji, MN
- 2012 Mayo Clinic, Eau Claire, WI
- 2012 3M Company, New Ulm, MN
- 2012 Osceola Medical Center, Osceola, WI
- 2012 Minnesota Propane Gas Association, Bloomington, MN
- 2012 Redwood Falls Chamber of Commerce, Morton, MN
- 2012 Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Association, St. Cloud, MN
- 2012 Erstad and Reimer Law Firm, Bloomington, MN
- 2011 Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Welsh, MN
- 2011 AAA Minnesota-Iowa, Minneapolis, MN
- 2011 AgriBank, Minneapolis, MN
- 2011 Hudson Rotary Club, Hudson, WI
- 2011 Minnesota Association of Dance Teams, Minneapolis, MN
- 2010 Blattner Energy, Sartell, MN
- 2010 Minneapolis Rotary Club, Minneapolis, MN
- 2010 CHS, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
- 2010 Ox Cart Days Festival, Crookston, MN
- 2010 Hemophilia Foundation of MN/Dakotas, Minneapolis, MN
Reviews
“Just a quick note to let you know I received many “thanks” for getting such great speakers on Friday, and you were a big reason!!! The Rotarians really enjoyed your session in the morning, but your improv in the evening was MY personal favorite. You are the master!!! I looked around, and many people were laughing so hard they were crying. Your ability to point out a few individuals, and to laugh at Minnesota, is second to none. You have a clean show, that is so funny, I could see it time and again and never tire of it! Thank you for making our District Conference such a success. You were one of the main reasons people had such a great time. And thanks for being so flexible on the timing, you definitely went on later than we thought for the evening session. It was much appreciated.”
–Rotary District 5950
“It is amazing how you can work a room. I love watching a pro do it. You made quite an impact on the leadership. Thank you for making us laugh.”
–American Institute of Architects
“I play all over the world, and I wish I could bring Stevie Ray with me to all my shows.”
–by Leo Kottke, to the ED of an ACLU member appreciation event
“You are an asset to your industry. The audience enjoyed the entertainment and walked away with more than a few smiles. It was an unqualified success.”
–Honeywell
“The improv showman.”
–TV Guide
“A ready-for-prime-time player…”
–St. Paul Pioneer Press
“An impresario of improvisational comedy…”
–Skyway News
“In this, most difficult comic art form, Ray makes improv performance seem like second nature. He slips in and out of personas, international accents, and situations the same way Harry Houdini slipped in and out of padlocked chains and steel cages – effortlessly, almost magically.”
–Twin Cities Revue
“Thank you for an excellent Miss Minnesota pageant. Your MC-ing made it our best show ever! I appreciated your combination of humor and respect for the contestants. I know the entire board looks forward to maintaining and building our partnership.”
–Miss Minnesota Association
Intro
The following is a sample introduction you might use when introducing Stevie Ray to your audience:
“Our entertainer this evening performed his first show at the age of nine and has been making people laugh ever since. He has opened for such stars as Paula Poundstone, Rich Hall from Saturday Night Live, Marsha Warfield of Night Court, and “Weird Al” Yankovick. Please welcome Stevie Ray!”
Rider
Whatever the show needs to be a success, Stevie Ray will bring. If the show location is farther than driving distance, all he needs is a microphone and a roomful of people.




