Husband-and-wife team Natalie Miller and Nathan Hartswick shared a passion for comedy, and, seeing that there wasn’t much of a live comedy scene in Vermont, “we started making the opportunity for ourselves.”
It took about six years, starting with simply teaching classes, and “the whole goal was to get as many people doing it as possible.” They advanced to other tricks — a small comedy festival, a stand-up contest — all the while plotting how to open their own venue, which they ultimately did with Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington.
The club has become one of the city’s top nightlife draws, and now the couple, who had lived in New York City for a time, revel in their success back in their home state. “We are entrepreneurial people who like to chase dreams. In Burlington, it’s big enough that there’s an arts and culture scene, but small enough that you could be noticed and make your mark.”