The Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, family entertainment network BYUtv announced its new comedy competition series “Wayne Brady’s Comedy IQ,” created and hosted by multiple Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated Wayne Brady and his producing partner, Mandie Taketa. The show, which counts Queen Latifah among its executive producers, will premiere on April 6, 2020. Talented young people from across the country compete in a one-of-a-kind performers’ bootcamp to demonstrate the highest “comedy IQ.” Each new challenge teaches them to be multi-faceted in writing, directing, performing and creating comedic and musical content. Along the way, the teens learn universal skills that can bring them success in the real world.

“I’m so grateful to BYUtv for giving me the chance to pass on my 30 years plus of comedy and performing knowledge,” said Wayne Brady. “It means so much to me to help the next generation of funny along. I get to give the comedy guidance I never had at that age!”

The 10-episode unscripted series has completed production in Los Angeles and was executive produced by Wayne Brady, Mandie Taketa, Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Mechelle Collins andKevin Dill of Intuitive Entertainment (Bravo’s “The Millionaire Matchmaker,” Lifetime’s “The Rap Game”) and BYUtv.

“The brilliant Wayne Brady and his producing partner, Mandie Taketa, came to us with a passion and plan for finding and nurturing young artists that we were delighted to make a reality,” said Michael Dunn, managing director of BYUtv. “What’s special about ‘Wayne Brady’s Comedy IQ’ is that it guides the contestants in navigating achievement, rejection and resiliency both in the entertainment industry and in everyday life. It’s a positive show about the human side of humor and reaching our own potential.”

“Wayne Brady’s Comedy IQ” kicks off with Brady auditioning hundreds of young people to find the select few he plans to mentor in his academy. The top 11 talented hopefuls are:

• Thomas “TJ” Boyce III (14, Houston) – TJ is a budding standup star who writes all his own material. He loves to rap and do impersonations of celebrities such as Kanye West and Barack Obama. He has performed in commercials and local theater.
• Bryson Brunson (16, New York City) – A proud New York native, Bryson has been taking acting classes through a local nonprofit at his school and dreams of one day starring on Broadway. His father passed away when Bryson was just 10 years old.
• Dylan Gann (16, Temecula, Calif.) – With only two years of drama experience at her local school, Dylan’s first major audition was for “Wayne Brady’s Comedy IQ,” and she immediately impressed. She has more than 121,000 views on YouTube.
• Julio Garcia (14, Pomona, Calif.) – Julio, whose parents are originally from Mexico, attends a performing arts school, studying musical theater. He plays the trombone and has decided he wants to become “the greatest showman.”
• Dori Green (15, Nipomo, Calif.) – Captain of her school improv troupe, Dori is also a singer-songwriter. She was born without hip sockets and spent the first six months of her life in a harness, but now she loves to perform.
• Dane Jamieson (16, Long Beach, Calif.) – The son of an acting coach and an accomplished video game voiceover artist, Dane is a seasoned actor, drummer, singer and dancer who loves incorporating different voices into his comedy.
• Nya Jolie (14, Philadelphia) – Nya started entering beauty pageants at three months, has been auditioning for film and commercials since the age of five, and started vocal lessons the following year. Nya is a self-taught dancer and piano player.
• Trent Mason (15, White Plains, Maryland) – With over 50 digits of pi memorized and the ability to solve a Rubik’s cube in 20 seconds or less, this super intelligent content creator has written, starred in and created over 100 YouTube videos.
• Alexis Sanchez (17, Riverside, Calif.) – Alexis’ grandfather was a radio personality in Costa Rica, but unable to get an entertainment job in the U.S., he painted cars for the rest of his life. It’s important to Alexis to follow her dreams and her family legacy.
• Camaron Steen (14, Houston) – Camaron attended Rage Complex, Hollywood Launch and ImmaBEAST in pursuit of becoming a triple threat. He was a backup dancer for J. Cole at the BET Awards and Justin Bieber.
• Sawyer Valin (13, Los Angeles) – The youngest in the competition, Sawyer plays guitar and has taken improv classes with the Groundlings. He has previously co-starred in a Lele Pons YouTube video, which now has over 41 million views.