STYLE AND SUBSTANCE

Style and Substance is a comedic concept created by Dr. Wendy Gillis and Sean Steele. It has several forms but all of them have a core focus on where comedy meets wisdom and promotes growth and healing throughout our lives as we face challenges both mundane and tragic. 

THE EXPERIENCE

Led by Dr. Wendy Gillis The Style and Substance Experience is a fun, fast paced interactive 90 minute event that combines Stand Up Comedy with keen insight and discussion of the human condition and how humor can help all of us navigate life’s challenges both mundane and tragic.

Wendy is joined on stage by Sean Steele, a 2025 nominee for Folio Weekly’s Best Local Comedian. The show often includes a special guest as well. 

THE COURSE

The Style and Substance Course is a more immersive endeavor as we take students on a 6 week journey through the craft of stand up comedy from writing to stage presence and everywhere in between. The emphasis of the course is finding your joy through expression on stage.

This is not a high pressure course about how to become a pro but rather a nurturing guide through the process of creating your own persona and style on stage. It’s designed for anyone who wants to experience the thrill of the stage with the solid foundation it takes to succeed up there.  

THE PODCAST


Coming in 2026 will be the Style and Substance podcast where our duo will interview the most interesting personalities who embody the spirit of Style and Substance. 

OUR CREDITS

  • The Experience
    -First Coast Comedy
    -3rd Space Improv
    -The Emerald Vine Room
     
    The Course
    -First Coast Comedy
     
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For All Booking Inquiries,

Please email
seansteele2010@aol.com

MEET THE TALENT

SEAN STEELE

Sean is a seasoned show host with over 20 years of experience. He produces  regular shows at multiple venues including First Coast Comedy in Mayport, 3rd Space improv in St Augustine as well as Lynch’s Irish Pub and Hampton Inn Oceanfront in Jacksonville Beach. As a featured member of both Dented Mic comedy and Next Stop Comedy he appears regularly on their productions as well throughout the region.  Sean also appears on local TV in a monthly segment highlighting the local Jacksonville comedy scene on River City Live! and is also a Folio Weekly Best of Jax 2025 nominee.


Sean embraces the concept that humor is essential in our lives recognizing the power of comedy to uplift and carry through difficult times both tragic and mundane. “Comedy has a healing and engaging power,” Sean says. “I want to use it to make a real difference in this community and beyond.”


Through his comedy, Sean’s goal is not only to entertain but also to create a vibe where laughter bridges gaps and fosters connection. “ I’m having the time of my life performing and my sincere hope is that the audience sees and feels that every time I’m on stage.”  

Headshots and Photos

Videos

Credits

  • 2025 Folio Weekly Best local comedian Nominee 
    Stardome Alabama 
    Next Stop Comedy
    Don’t Tell Comedy
    Comedy Zone Jacksonville
    Cristy B’s Comedy Club
    Dented Mic Comedy
    First Coast Comedy Festival
    New Life Talent Competition Runner up
    New York Comedy Club
    Bedford Falls Comedy Club NYC
    Comic Strip Live NYC
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WENDY GILLIS

Wendy Gillis is a renaissance woman in the truest sense of the word. She’s a PHD who teaches at the University of North Florida by day and takes to the stage as a stand up comedian in the evenings. Dr. Gillis has been performing comedy since 2020.  Her notable stage credits include The Comedy Zone Jacksonville and Cristy B Comedy Club in Daytona. She is also regular on the touring circuit with Dented Mic Comedy and Next Stop Comedy. She also finds time to combine her passions for teaching and comedy through Style and Substance Comedy which offers both immersive multi week courses and compelling one night experiences. Her comedy is shaped by her real-life experiences of motherhood, marriage and divorce , the classroom and being a breast cancer survivor. 

Headshots and Photos

Videos

Credits

  • The Comedy Zone Jacksonville 
    3rd Space Improv
    Cristy B’s Comedy Club
    First Coast Comedy Festival
    Savannah Big Chick Energy
    Next Stop Comedy
    Dented Mic Comedy
    Paper Root
  • New York Comedy Club
    Bedford Falls Comedy Club NYC
    Comic Strip Live NYC