Private Project

MacDougal Street

After years of trying to get in the lineup at the world-famous Comedy Cellar, Kenny is still trying to make it big in the New York comedy scene. He finally gets a break with an opportunity to manage a bar turned comedy club right next door on Macdougal Street. Things are pretty rough with small crowds and constant pressure from the owner to fill the club, but with the help of a scrappy crew, he’s determined to make a name for himself and prove he can run the club.

  • Kwasi Osei
    Director
  • Kwasi Osei
    Writer
  • Kenny Warren
    Writer
  • Kwasi Osei
    Producer
  • Kenny Warren
    Producer
  • Kenny Warren
    Key Cast
    "Kenny"
  • Shawn Gooden
    Key Cast
    "Amanda"
  • Ed Wilk
    Key Cast
    "Pete"
  • Kirsten Lewis
    Key Cast
    "Grisel"
  • Dominic Leonelli
    Key Cast
    "Drew"
  • Ryan Andes
    Key Cast
    "Texas"
  • Norlex Belma
    Key Cast
    "Bouncer"
  • Burke Adams
    Key Cast
    "Agent"
  • Licia Zegar
    Key Cast
    "Lady in street"
  • Latrey Evans
    Key Cast
    "Barker #1"
  • Asah Davis
    Key Cast
    "Barker #2"
  • Mike Lemme
    Key Cast
    "Barker #3"
  • Larry Beyah
    Key Cast
    "Comedy host"
  • Project Type:
    Television
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 42 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 12, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Kwasi Osei

Kwasi Osei is a storyteller with many years of experience working as a hybrid creative. Originally from Denmark, he received a BFA from School of Visual Arts in New York, and has worked many years in advertising before pursuing a career behind and in front of the camera. New York Theater director credits include, Thinking Time ( Scandinavian House), and Sandholm (Theatre Row). As an actor he has appeared in projects directed by Oscar winner Sofia Coppola and BAFTA winner Joe Wright.

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Director Statement

When we think of comedy, we envision a polished act in front of an attentive audience. We may not think of the many years hustling and bombing in front of small audiences in tiny, dimly lit rooms. After a comic has made a name for themself, their failures and setbacks are all but forgotten. With MacDougal Street, I explore what it takes to be a struggling comic; the Herculean task to get into the bigger clubs or just to make enough money to survive living in the city while pursuing the dream of comedy gold.

MacDougal Street is synonymous with New York comedy. It is home to some of the biggest clubs in the world, but also many small ones that fight relentlessly to bring in some of the endless masses walking up and down the block at night.

MacDougal Street is a scripted series that tells the unvarnished story of the downtown comedy scene in New York City. It follows a group of up-and-coming comics as they hustle to get up on stage and try to make a name for themselves. The series explores the many pitfalls of stand-up culture, with misogyny, racism, and desperation bubbling right under the surface.

We shot the pilot right before the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak. Six months later the comedy world in NYC, like most of New York, is still in hibernation. The thought of sitting in an audience and laughing at jokes during this perilous time seems so far removed, yet what better than comedy to make sense of this mess, so let's go on this journey together.