It seems more important than ever these days to laugh, so a local theatre company is hosting a night of comedy called Comedy: The Next Generation on April 18.

Hot Dice Productions, the newest addition to the city’s theatre scene, is bringing 17 comedians together for a good time.

“There will be everything from standup comedy to sketch comedy, as well as an award-winning improv team and a short play,” said Chris Kerba, cofounder of Hot Dice Productions. “There isn’t a lot of standup comedy happening in Brampton, so we are trying to fill that gap.”

The night features rising talent from the comedy writing and performance program at Humber College.

“This gives the people in my class, who are up-and-coming comedians, a chance to perform in a theatre setting for a crowd they don’t know,” said Kerba, who graduates from the program this month.

“They are top-of-the-line and professional quality.”

Unlike bigger comedy clubs, each comedian will be given a generous 10 minutes to do their thing. The event is also showcasing new comedians, like Nick Brodie.

“I’m a little nervous,” said Brodie, who runs Hot Dice Productions with Kerba. “This is my first time and I’m having trouble being funny when I have to be funny.”

Tickets are a steal at $5 each. Meanwhile, all proceeds from a silent auction, as well as the concession stand, are earmarked for Gilda’s Club, a meeting place where men, women, and children living with cancer, as well as their families and friends, can come together for social and emotional support.

“This is something different to do in Brampton and it’s cheaper than the movies or going to the bar,” Brodie said.

Hot Dice Productions has been faring well with ticket sales for its last few shows, according to Kerba.

They have a solid fan base, but he said it hasn’t been easy sharing the theatre crowd with Rose Theatre.

He also laments that Cyril Clark Theatre is badly in need of renovations.

“The Rose has done a serious number on community theatre, in terms of taking away numbers and making community theatre groups go into decline,” he said. “

All the money that was for theatre in Brampton seems to have been put into the Rose. Cyril Clark is a classic example of how every other theatre has been neglected by the city.”

Up next for Hot Dice Productions is a Halloween show featuring a play by local playwright and actor Todd McGinnis.

Hot Dice’s show Comedy: The Next Generation goes April 18 at 8 p.m. at Cyril Clark Library Theatre, 20 Loafers Lake Lane.

The show is recommended for ages 14 and up. Tickets cost $5 and are available at the door or in advance by calling 416-816-1423.