From monologues to memes and everything in between, creating your own content is practically a must when it comes to being an artist these days. There’s no faster way to get that work out there than the wild world of TikTok. If you’re looking for inspiration, tips to help perfect your craft, spilled industry tea, or just some funny content to spice up your scrolling, read on!
1. Mackenzie Barmen @mackenziebarmen
Perhaps most known on TikTok for her 42-part “Childhood Ruined” series, in which she plays a child forced to unpack nursery rhymes in therapy, Barmen (“Spark,” “Mockingbird,” “The Marvelous Wonderettes”) regularly churns out timely sketch content. Topics include everything from toxic metals being found in tampons to Justin Timberlake’s DWI.
@mackenziebarmen It takes a village ???? #metgala #comedy #sketch #skit #interview #satire #fashion ♬ It is a sound effect of crowded people (indoors). - Ai-tomo
2. Maggie Bera @maggiebera
Perfect for theater-lovers, actor (and Backstage writer!) Bera (“The Big C,” “Powerline Road,” “The Baker’s Wife”) is a skilled impressionist who has carved out a niche for herself dropping icons of the stage into shows they were definitely never in. If you’ve ever wondered what a Sutton Foster–led “Hadestown” or a Liza Minnelli–led “Wicked” would be like, look no further.
@maggiebera she’s not your Cinderella ❄️ #idinamenzel #badcinderella #broadway #frozen #impressions ♬ original sound - Maggie Bera
3. Stephen Brower @stephen_brower
Though most of his content is more akin to standup than sketch comedy, actor–playwright Brower (“Anastasia,” “Pippin,” “Lempicka”) has creative chops and an undeniably funny, dry delivery. Particularly hilarious are his lists of specific inanimate objects (beverages, punctuation, colors, you name it) and whether or not he would date them.
@stephen_brower can’t help it
♬ original sound - imstephen
4. Taryn Delanie Smith @taryndelaniesmith
Smith (“The Year: Countdown 2024,” “Influenced”) is beloved for her recurring characters like Denise, the receptionist in Heaven, and Tammy the Vengeful Ghost, who exists mostly to pester Denise. It’s a shockingly expansive world for a TikTok series, and it’s at once funny and occasionally surprisingly moving.
@taryndelaniesmith Crying posting this. There is no greater or more unexpected joy than of sharing my life with you. Thank you. #bride #iloveyou ♬ original sound - november ultra
5. Lea Denim @leadenim, @lea_denim
Most recently gone viral for the sketch, “Hearing Your Grandmother’s ‘Love Story,’ ” Denim’s sketches are delightful in part because of their universality and in part due to her laidback, relatable style (she often can be spotted making these sketches while lounging in bed).
@leadenim ♬ original sound - Lea Denim
6. Tyler Joseph Ellis @tylerjosephellis
A must-follow for theater kids, actor-creator Ellis (“The Sex Lives of College Girls,” “That ’90s Show,” “Passion”) manages to satirize almost every aspect of working in and around the stage. There’s a lot to love, but some of his funniest series include “THAT Pre-Show Announcement” and his theater POVs, which feature everything from line delivery clichés to audience critiques.
@tylerjosephellis Unfortunately making this a series. #fyp #foryou #theatrekid #comedy #highschool #broadway #hairspray ♬ original sound - Tyler Joseph Ellis
7. Kendahl Landreth @kendahllandreth
Known for sketches where she plays (and lovingly pokes fun at) her own mother, comedian Landreth (“The BCC Club,” “Natural Disaster”) is another great follow. She disappears so completely into the role that it’s easy to forget she’s not a Midwestern mother, just a very talented young performer.
@kendahllandreth POV: you go grocery shopping with your mom #comedy #groceryshopping #moms #mom #momsoftiktok ♬ original sound - Kendahl Landreth
8. KP Parker @kpifthatscool
Hailing from L.A., Parker (“Rumspringa,” “Fraud,” “Making Partner”) hilariously plays characters we’ve somehow all run into in real life, like oddly aggressive friends and archetypes of men found on dating apps.
@kpifthatscool oh youre also wearing a sweater in fall. interesting. #copying #copycat #yourfriend ♬ original sound - KP Parker
9. Rocky Paterra @rockysroad
Paterra’s TikTok is another must follow for theater-related sketches and musical comedy. Beyond his viral song “I’m an Accountant,” you’ll find something to love if you’ve spent any amount of time in the theater. The “That Actor’s Cabaret Show” series, for example, pointedly satirizes the way the intros in one-man shows always seem to simultaneously be about everything and nothing at all.
@rockysroad Calling all struggling actors! ???????? #musicaltheatre #broadway #actorslife #theatrekid #gayman #musicaltheatrekid #theatrekidcheck #playbill #hamiltok ♬ As An Accountant - Rocky Paterra
10. Anna Rudegeair @annaredhair__
The NYC-based Rudegeair (“As You Like It,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “The Maids”) is another great TikTok actor to follow. Though she’s most renowned for her hilarious “Toxic 1950s Mother” sketches, you can also enjoy her quirky “GRWM” shorts, alongside incredibly niche sketches like “Your Unopened Spinach About to Be Thrown Out.”
@annaredhair__ ???????? ????!
♬ original sound - Balenciaga19
11. Jake Shane @octopusslover8
Shane is one of the goofier additions to this list. Those looking for (not at all realistic) recreations of important historical moments need look no further than Shane (“Therapuss With Jake Shane”). Covering anything from “the founding fathers after John Hancock signed his name super big” to “Pluto finding out it got kicked out of the planets,” nearly all of Shane’s sketches are suggested by his followers, highlighting the creator’s ability to come up with an idea for almost anything.
@octopusslover8 off to the lab to learn how to make one of my favorite fragrances from @noyzfragrance check out the scent at noyz.com @Ulta Beauty ♬ original sound - Jake Shane
12. Zoë Tyler @thezolyspirit
With both relevant social commentary and fantastic sketch writing, Tyler provides satirical sketches with a powerful message. She takes on everything from work-life balance to religious trauma—all while making her audience laugh.
@thezolyspirit I don’t even know if this makes sense. I just think the way he chooses to go about things is…troubling.
♬ Thunderstorm Sounds - Loopable - Thunderstorm Sound Bank & Heavy Rain and Thunder Sounds for Sleeping & Lightning and Rain
13. Jane Wickline @janewickline
Los Angeles–based comedian Wickline (“Dukes,” “My First Film”) is one of TikTok’s reigning queens of observational comedy. Her sketches usually follow a recognizable but unpredictable formula: deeply strange people in otherwise normal situations.
@janewickline Difficult conversation ????
♬ original sound - Jane Wickline