Manager Christina Shams joins the comedy division of Authentic Talent & Literary Management

EXCLUSIVE: Authentic Talent & Literary Management announced Tuesday the hiring of manager Christina Shams, a veteran of the comedy world who counts among her clients Matt Rife, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Paul Elia and Jeffrey Jay.

In her new role at Authentic, where she will also produce, Shams will continue to pursue her passion for scaling the careers of multi-hyphenate artists. She will also oversee strategic tour growth for the Authentic Comedy division, while enhancing digital capabilities for clients, and will be based out of the company’s Los Angeles office.

Over the past 11 years, Shams has solidified his reputation as a stand-up tour specialist with the ability to nurture a broad network of opportunities for stand-ups, comedians and digital influencers. She built her current roster over a period of approximately three years as an agent at Innovative Artists and has also produced and sold comedy offerings to date, including Rife’s Matthew Steven RifeBill Bellamys i want my life backOpium Crocketts Mirror II societyHelen Hongs Well Hongand that of Rajskub live from the pandemic.

“We are thrilled to have Christina on our comedy team,” said Rick Dorfman, head of comedy at Authentic. “Her tenacity, creativity and clear commitment to her clients over the years is what we look for at Authentic. Her work brings smiles to screens and her arrival has already brought a lot to the company.”

Shams added: “Authentic Talent & Literary Management is a natural home for me – a place full of bright and experienced professionals who wake up every day excited to create with their clients and as partners in building stability and long-term -prosperity serves. I couldn’t be more honored to be a part of this Company and Comedy department, we have a lot of laughs to deliver and projects to take on the world.

Prior to her time as an agent, Shams was the comedy booking manager for AEG Presents, one of the world’s largest concert promoters. She previously held positions at Gersh and 3 Arts Entertainment, before that she was a talent booker and manager for the Hollywood Laugh Factory.

Shams began her comedy career as a Beat reporter for NBC 5 News in Dallas, where she interviewed and wrote reviews of comedy legends such as John Witherspoon, Charlie Murphy, Heather McDonald, Pablo Francisco and Hal Sparks Latest comic stand. She is a board member of the Ladies of Comedy Association, which supports growth and opportunities for women in the comedy industry, and holds an MBA from Southern Methodist University.

Authentic is a bicoastal management and production company serving a theatrical, film, literary, television and digital media clientele. The company recently announced the promotion to partner of Chris Kiely, a manager who has been with Authentic for more than a decade.