People looking for a late night laugh during Winter Carnival 2026 will get the chance when stand up comedian Zarna Garg takes the stage at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Feb. 6 at 10 p.m.
Garg, an Indian immigrant, lawyer turned comedian, screenwriter, and producer, has built a national following with her sharp, family-friendly humor and personal storytelling. Known for blending cultural observations with everyday family life, she describes herself as an “overbearing Indian auntie” who turns discomfort and challenge into comedy.
Raised in Bombay, Garg lost her mother at age 14 and left home as a teenager after pressure to enter an arranged marriage. She credits humor with helping her survive those early years, saying that being “the fun one” opened doors and gave her places to stay as she made her way toward a new life. She later immigrated to the United States, attended college and law school, and built a career while raising a family in New York City.
Her path into entertainment came later. After completing a comedy screenplay, which went on to win Best Comedy Screenplay at the Austin Film Festival among more than 11,000 entries, Garg began looking for more ways to get her work noticed. That search led her to stand up comedy. From her first time on stage, she said she felt at home behind the microphone.
Garg is now widely recognized for her clean, high energy sets focused on immigrant experiences, marriage, parenting, and cultural expectations. She has released two major stand up specials, including Practical People Win on Hulu and One in a Billion on Amazon Prime. She has also opened for comedy icons Tina Fey and Amy Poehler and hosts The Zarna Garg Family Podcast. She is currently developing a television series centered on an immigrant mother pursuing her version of the American Dream.
Her MTU performance is part of the Rozsa Presenting Series and a featured addition to Winter Carnival programming. Organizers describe the show as fully family-friendly, with content suitable for a wide audience.
The performance will be held in the Rozsa Center’s Black Performance Hall. The estimated runtime is 60 minutes with no intermission, and seating is reserved. Public tickets are available through a pay as you are able model, with a $30 full fee option. Michigan Tech students can request rush tickets through the Rozsa Box Office in advance or at the door.
The Rozsa Center lobby is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., with seating beginning 30 minutes before showtime.
