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Wait, What’s Sri Lanka? A Stand-Up Comedy Special by Shenuque Tissera

Date: Fri, Oct 2, 2026

Time: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Venue: Mettlesome Theater, Durham

Price:

Category: Arts

Wait, What’s Sri Lanka? is a one-hour stand-up special, written by Shenuque and directed by Sunny Laprade, for anyone who has ever felt invisible. The show explores the joy of embracing all parts of your identity while navigating the pain of not feeling seen.Shenuque uses a narrative stand-up style to talk about their life through the lens of being Sri Lankan and how that intersects with their other identities. The show reveals how interconnected we all are. Regardless of whether or not you're Sri Lankan, this show is for you. Topics include race, gender, sexuality, and of course, aunties. If you enjoy stand-up comedy that weaves together humor with a compelling narrative, you will enjoy this show.Shenuque Tissera (he/they) is a Sri Lankan American comedian born and raised on Staten Island. Their stand-up is infused with a passion for storytelling and an enrapturing stage presence. They are currently touring their debut stand-up special, Wait, What’s Sri Lanka?, a show for anyone who has ever felt invisible.They’ve graced the stage in Off-Broadway productions and contributed their writing talents to HBO Max. They’ve worked as a director for the Murmuration Theater Company and co-founded the award-winning podcast studio Many Sided Media, where you can regularly hear their voice acting on the show My First Dungeon. Audiences have said that Shenuque is like if Hasan Minhaj, Tiffany Haddish, and John Mulaney were in a polycule and didn’t let Shenuque in, so he modeled his comedy after all of them.

Raleigh Mom Club — Raleigh, NC

Arts · Durham

Wait, What’s Sri Lanka? A Stand-Up Comedy Special by Shenuque Tissera

“Book a babysitter and grab dinner nearby before the 7:30 PM showtime.”

When
Oct 2
Fri, Oct 2, 2026
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Where
Mettlesome Theater
Durham, NC
Ages
Check ages with the venue
Price
See details
durham

Wait, What’s Sri Lanka? A Stand-Up Comedy Special by Shenuque Tissera is a live, one-hour narrative comedy performance exploring identity, culture, and family relationships. Located at the Mettlesome Theater in Durham, this evening show is best suited for parents, young adults, and older teenagers due to the mature themes of race, gender, and sexuality. Street parking is available around the venue, and there are several local restaurants nearby if you want to grab dinner beforehand. Ticket prices are not pre-listed, so check the venue website directly to secure your seats. This show makes a great addition to your weekend plans if you are looking for a date night or an outing with your high schoolers that sparks interesting conversations on the drive home.

View on discoverdurham

Frequently Asked Questions

What age group is this comedy show appropriate for?
Because the performance covers mature topics like sexuality, gender, and race, it is best suited for adults and older teenagers rather than young children.
Where is the show located and where should I park?
The event takes place at the Mettlesome Theater in Durham. You can find street parking nearby or use one of the downtown public parking decks within walking distance.

Last updated

Oct 2

Directions

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Wait, What’s Sri Lanka? A Stand-Up Comedy Special by Shenuque Tissera runs Fri, Oct 2, 2026, 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM.

Getting There

Mettlesome Theater is at 800 Taylor St., Ste. 9-156, Durham, NC. Open in Google Maps.

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What to Bring

Admission is listed on the official page; otherwise, come as you are.

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