Ashland surprises you. The theater tourists and Shakespeare crowds suggest polite applause, but the open mics run sharper. Downtown rooms draw audiences who've seen professional comedy and won't settle for less. Historic Railroad District hosts the critical crowds. East Ashland runs warmer—newer comics find their footing there. The learning curve steepens fast: Lithia Pines for early reps, West Ashland when you're ready to be tested. The scene is smaller than it looks but demands more than you expected. Newcomers who survive the adjustment find something worth staying for.