NEW YORK, NY, Nov. 26, 2024 — Bilt Rewards, the pioneering rewards program for renters, today announced an innovative addition to its Neighborhood Benefits program: a comedy series that gathers local communities in beloved venues. The experiences will feature local up-and-coming stand-up performers alongside established legends—and will be available exclusively to Bilt Members.

To lead this initiative, Bilt has appointed acclaimed comedian and impressionist Matt Friend as Director, Neighborhood Experience, Comedy. The Bilt Neighborhood Comedy series brings together communities through laughter and transforming neighborhood favorites—from historic restaurants to hidden gems—into intimate comedy venues for one unforgettable night.

"Let’s face it—life’s too short for boring rewards programs. That’s why we’re turning your neighborhood into a stage with Bilt’s Neighborhood Comedy Experience Series," said Ankur Jain, CEO & Founder of Bilt Rewards. "Because what’s better than earning points for paying rent? Laughing so hard that you forget you just paid rent."

"As someone who grew up doing impressions of my neighbors before I could do celebrities, I know the best comedy comes from the community," said Matt Friend, Director of Neighborhood Experience, Comedy at Bilt Rewards. "I’m so excited to help discover tomorrow's comedy stars and put them in the spotlight with today's legends, right in our own backyards. Think of it as comedy's version of farm-to-table, except the only thing we're cooking up is laughs."

December Tour Dates:

• New York City: December 10th at Lucali

• New York City: December 11th at Stephan Weiss Studio

• Washington, DC: December 8th at 1789

• Boston: December 9th at Yvonne's

• Chicago: December 15th at Lazy Bird

• Los Angeles: December 18th at Manuela

The New York City stops are produced in partnership with Underground Overground Comedy, which is known for discovering and showcasing emerging comedy talent alongside established performers. Each event includes curated light bites and complimentary drinks for an all-inclusive evening of entertainment. Events are exclusively available to Bilt Rewards Members age 21 and over.

Bilt Members can purchase up to two tickets per show exclusively in the Bilt app. They'll drop at noon on December 27th alongside this month’s other Rent Day benefits, with early access for Platinum Members at 11:50 am EST.

Matt Friend is Bilt Rewards’ guest for November’s Rent Free. He plays to win free rent—up to $2,500—for ten Bilt Members with Founder & CEO Ankur Jain. Members can play on Bilt’s app.

About Matt Friend

Matt Friend is an old soul in the body of a 26-year-old comedian, actor, and impressionist. A 2020 graduate of NYU’s Gallatin School, Matthew’s love for comedy and entertainment began at the tender age of four after watching Austin Powers and mimicking the characters’ voices. His passion has since propelled him to great heights, amassing over 2 million followers across all socials on TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.

Matt has graced major shows like The Drew Barrymore Show, The Howard Stern Show, MSNBC, the Today Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, NBC’s New York Live TV, Good Day LA, & Good Day NY. In 2019, he won Kenan Thompson’s Ultimate Comedy Experience at Carolines on Broadway. Known for his impressive repertoire of over 250 impressions, from Rami Malek to Timothee Chalamet, Matt recently hosted the 2024 NHL Awards, achieving the highest ratings and viewership in league history. He also surprised President Joe Biden with a performance at the White House Correspondents Dinner alongside SNL star Colin Jost and headlined the Netflix Is A Joke Festival during his nationwide standup comedy tour.

A beloved comedic figure on social media, stages, and the Golden Globes red carpet, Matt continues to captivate audiences with his stand-up shows across the US this summer and in London’s Leicester Square this fall. He has earned praise from notable names like Howard Stern, Jeff Goldblum, Paul Giamatti, Austin Butler, Dr. Fauci, Liev Schreiber, Sebastian Maniscalco, and John Oliver for his remarkable impressions. Matt has also made his mark in the animation world, lending his voice talents to both The Simpsons and Family Guy.

Matt’s meteoric rise has made him a “must-stop” on red carpets, with A-list stars seeking him out during Hollywood’s biggest nights, including the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and more. Now, he’s partnering with Bill Maher’s Club Random Studios to present his new show, FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES, which launched this past Summer. Inspired by the late-night talk show format, Matt will get to know his incredible guests, discuss their rise to prominence, and delve into all things life, maybe even doing a viral comedy bit or two with the people he admires most - famous ones! Episodes so far have hosted the likes of John Stamos, Wes Moore, Bill Maher, and much more to come! 

He also graced the pages of People’s Sexiest Man of the Year issue and collaborated with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert for the coverstar’s big reveal. 

Impressions aside, Matt is a true intellect, wise beyond his years, and a student of show business, comedy, politics, and culture. He resides in New York. 

About Bilt Rewards

Bilt Rewards is the pioneering loyalty program for where you live that allows renters to earn rewards on rent and benefits in their neighborhood, while building a path towards homeownership. Through the Bilt Rewards Alliance, a network of more than 4.5 million rental units, Bilt Members can earn points just by paying rent. Launched in June 2021, Bilt Rewards boasts one of the highest value rewards programs on the market today, including one-to-one point transfers for travel across over 100 major airlines and hotel partners; fitness classes at the country's top boutique studios; limited-edition and exclusive collections of art and home decor through the Bilt Home Collection, and the ability to use points for rent credits or towards a future down payment. For more information, visit www.biltrewards.com.