The sounds of laughter filling the University Union Ballroom tomorrow night will be thanks to UNIQUE Programs and their presentation of the 26th annual San Francisco International Stand-Up Comedy Competition.

The comedians will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. as Sacramento State hosts the semi-final round of the competition. This comedy carnival will feature 10 comedians, each presenting their 10-12 minutes of material to try and advance to the final round for the chance to be the winner of this year’s competition.

“I went last year and I laughed so hard that I had the hiccups for the rest of the night,” Sac State student Janice Brown said.

The competition has developed a reputation as an opportunity for audiences to see some of the finest stand-up comedy from the country’s most talented up-and-coming comedians.

After the success of last year’s showcase, hosted by Matt Weinhold, UNIQUE is bringing the humor back to campus.

This is the third year that Sac State has hosted the competition. Past winners include Dana Carvey, Sinbad, Marsha Warfield and Carlos Alazraqui. Comedy standouts Robin Williams and Ellen DeGeneres have also been finalists in the stand-up competition. The event has proven to be a catalyst for the careers of several comedians and a way for performers to make a name for themselves.

The event will be hosted by Dan St. Paul, a former finalist of the San Francisco Comedy Competition who has appeared on “Evening at the Improv,” “Caroline’s Comedy Hour” and “Stand-Up Stand-Up” on Comedy Central, and has opened for such comedy giants as Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Garry Shandling and Jim Carrey.

St. Paul has also appeared in the movie “Flubber” with Williams, and teaches at San Francisco State.

The participants in this year’s competition are all gunning for the chance to end up, like Williams and St. Paul, as one of five finalists who will compete to be the winner of the San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition.

Tickets are $10, $7 for students and are available at Central Ticket Office and Tickets.com. For more information call 278-6997.