Comedian Shayla Rivera to Perform at The Punch Line, 2/17 - 2/20

Comedian, Host, Actor, Writer, Motivational Keynote Speaker and former Aerospace Engineer Shayla Rivera brings her comedy act to Sacramento.

Funny Rocket Scientist Shayla Rivera can't help but point out the funny side of life. From her childhood in Puerto Rico to an engineer at NASA in Houston, to comedian on Comedy Central, most while being a single mother. If you ask her how she got there, she'll say "I have no idea, but I laughed all the way"

This funny female's appeal crosses all barriers. Whatever you are, you'll love this well educated mother of two. Her brand of smart, witty comedy of life experiences is tons of laughs for both men and women of all backgrounds.

This past spring, Shayla spent 5 weeks working with funnyman Paul Rodriguez in Las Vegas. She has worked with the legendary comedian on numerous shows, DVD's and TV special's over the past 8 years. In 2009, she was part of the "Paul Rodriguez Comedy Rehab" special which aired on Comedy Central. Shayla was host of the 14 episode reality series show "You're Not The Man I Married" which aired on the Lifetime Real Women Network last fall. She has also featured on entertainment programs for Univision, Galavision and on "The Latino Comedy Jam" for Telemundo.

Shayla was born and raised in Puerto Rico, then worked as an Aerospace Engineer for NASA. As her comedy career took off, she became known as the Puerto Rican Rocket Scientist. More recently, her tag line has been evolving into The Funny Rocket Scientist.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University, Shayla joinEd McDonnell-Douglas Space Systems at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, working on NASA's Shuttle and Space Station programs. Shayla left to pursue her abiding interest in psychology and became a motivational speaker. She also worked as a corporate trainer, holding seminars on stress management for executives. She signed up for a weekend class on stand-up comedy, at the end of which she performed a five-minute routine. It was a rousing success and a personal turning point. "I knew I'd found what I was looking for," Shayla recalled.

Shayla became a regular at the Comedy Showcase in Houston, where she honed her act. She then gave up her day job and went on the road. In 1999, she moved to Los Angeles with the goal of going on television.

She used her experiences to create the hit one-woman show "Rocket Science and Salsa," directed by Debbie Allen. The show received a Best Lead Actress nomination for Shayla and a Best Choreography nomination for Debbie Allen from the NAACP Theater Awards. She has appeared on television in "Girls Behaving Badly," "Ultimate Revenge", "Extreme Fakeover", "National Lampoon's Funny Money" and "Funny is Funny" among others. She was a guest on "The Roseanne Show", "The Martin Short Show", the "Dennis Miller Show", "Comics Unleashed" with Byron Allen and was featured in the "Paul Rodriguez Latin All Stars" DVD and Paul's "Comedy Rehab" DVD.

In 2004, Rivera received the "Mario Moreno Cantinflas Award" presented by the city of Los Angeles in recognition of entertainers who "represent the Latino Community with the same humor as the great Cantinflas did" and for her involvement in the community. In addition, she applies her expertise as a motivational speaker to help many non-profit organizations, along with charitable and educational programs. In 2007, Rivera received the President's Volunteer Service Award from the President's Council on Service Participation.

Shayla routinely gives motivational keynotes at conferences and schools across the U.S. along with hosting gala's and salsa music festivals.

Rivera is very proud of her tours to entertain our men and women in uniform in Iraq, Kuwait, Japan and Korea. As well as state side at many military bases, including Fort Hood in Texas and Camp Pendleton in California.

Hold on to your seat, cause this show is ready to blast off.

Show details: Stand-Up Comedy of Shayla Rivera - Feb. 17-20, 2011

Punch Line Comedy Club - 2100 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95825. upstairs in the Howe 'Bout Arden Shopping Center. 916-925-8500 Office. 916-925-5500 Event Information. www.punchlinecomedyclub.com

Shows at 8pm each night, plus 2nd show on Fri. & Sat. at 10pm.

Tickets: $ 13.00 to $ 19.00. Patrons must be ages 18 and over. I.D. required. There is a 2 drink minimum.

Shayla's new comedy CD will be available after each show.

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