About Laurie

Behind the Laughs: Watch Laurie discuss the artistry, architecture, and enduring legacy of mid-century living history performance.

 

The Performance. The Preservation. The Source.

For nearly three decades as an entertainer, comedy entrepreneur, and archivist, I have operated at the intersection of first-person theatrical performance and historical preservation.

As the founder and curator of the official @thephyllisdiller brand community, I direct the world’s largest active digital legacy platform dedicated to her career. Generating over 8 million monthly views for a global network of 175,000 members, this project establishes my role as the definitive historical subject matter expert and guardian of a groundbreaking cultural footprint.

My work serves as the ultimate bridge between mid-century comedy history and modern performance, delivered across three distinct arenas:

I. High-End Living History & Stage Productions

I deliver premier, first-person historical reenactments, educational Chautauqua infotainment presentations, and high-energy theatrical headliner sets. Built with flawless historical precision, these productions channel the legendary timing, razor-sharp wit, and sophisticated, nostalgic joy of mid-century entertainment for heritage series, academic institutions, and premier showrooms.

II. Clean Stand-Up Comedy by Laurie Ayers

As myself, I deliver sharp, relatable, over-60 clean stand-up comedy built for mature, discerning audiences. This high-energy performance turns the absurdities of aging, wellness trends, and the modern healthcare circus into a brilliant, sophisticated space for elite country clubs and upscale active adult communities.

III. Media & Institutional Consulting

I provide elite historical advisory, primary-source vetting, and narrative continuity for premium documentary outfits, screenwriters, and period-piece production houses. Leveraging extensive archival knowledge, I ensure media projects are factually flawless and structurally authentic.

Today, my career is focused on the architecture of comedy, ensuring the brilliance of entertainment’s original nonconformist is accurately preserved, performed, and celebrated.

Select Engagements & Appearances

Corporate & Keynote Highlights

Laurie Ayers TedX Speaker

  • TEDxMacatawa Featured Speaker on Aging and Longevity – delivering her acclaimed TEDx talk, “Getting Old Isn’t Funny, But We Are,” using mid-century case studies to explore the architecture of lifelong wit.

  • Kansas City Convention Center

  • Gerald R. Ford International Airport

  • Grand Valley State University

  • Michigan State University

  • Davenport University

     

High-End Club & Resort Appearances

  • Egypt Valley Country Club

  • Bally’s Las Vegas

  • The Palazzo Las Vegas

  • Golden Nugget Las Vegas

  • The Signature at MGM Grand

  • The D Las Vegas

  • Manchester Marriott (England)

  • Sheraton Dallas (TX)

  • Bethesda Marriott (MD)

Featured Comedy & Festival Stages

  • LaughFest Grand Rapids

  • Dr. Grins Comedy Club

  • The Comedy Den

  • Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids

Selected Media & Profiles

  • Dan Aykroyd Podcast Guest Feature

  • WGVU Morning Show NPR and PBS Affiliate

  • VoyageMichigan Magazine

  • MLive and Grand Rapids Press

 

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
0 Shares