BRYSON CITY, N.C. — Director Trần Hoàng Calvin and Executive Producer Lou Perez announce the upcoming production of “Don’t Rock the Boat,” a documentary exploring political polarization in America through the lens of stand-up comedy and an unlikely icebreaker: whitewater rafting.

Filming is set for August 15–17, 2026, in Bryson City, North Carolina, on the Nantahala River. The project centers on two stand-up comedians — one an outspoken voice from the left, the other from the right — who will perform a comedy show built around their political material before rafting together through RAFT for America, an organization that pairs people from across the political spectrum for constructive conversation following a shared whitewater experience.

“Don’t Rock the Boat” will follow the comedians from the stage to the river, capturing not only their comedic takes on the issues of the day but also glimpses of their personal lives — offering audiences insight into where those views come from, and what happens when they collide face-to-face with someone who disagrees.

The documentary has secured non-exclusive distribution with RealClearPolitics, and its executive producers bring longstanding relationships with PBS, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and the Wall Street Journal.

Cast Announced: Sally Ann Hall

Representing the left is New York-based comedian, writer, and actor Sally Ann Hall. A veteran of the New York comedy scene, Hall has won both the She-Devil Comedy Festival and the Laughing Devil Comedy Festival, and most recently took the title in a 64-comedian bracket-style one-liner competition at Brooklyn’s Bell House. Her television and press credits include VICE, TimeOut, Moves Magazine, and the New York Times, and she was named Moves NY Magazine’s first-ever “Power Woman of the Year.” Her debut comedy special, Dead Wife Pretty, premieres on Amazon and Apple TV in June 2026.

Cast Announced: Adam Yenser

Representing the right is comedian and Emmy Award-winning writer Adam Yenser. Yenser spent a decade writing for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where he also starred in the segments “Kevin the Cashier Played by Adam” and “Adam Investigates.” His credits include Conan, FOX Laughs, and Gutfeld!, freelance contributions to SNL’s Weekend Update, writing for The Oscars, and co-producing the web series Laugh Lessons with Kevin Nealon. He hosts the satirical YouTube show The Cancelled News, has had sketches featured by The Babylon Bee, and his stand-up special Not Big Enough to Cancel is available on Dry Bar Comedy.

Trần Hoàng Calvin, Director

Trần Hoàng Calvin is an independent director and producer from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from NewYork University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in film and television production and has over a decade of industry experience with credits from ABC News, VICE Media, DECON-Mass Appeal, the Moving Picture Institute, and Anonymous Content. Trần is the founder of NODEHAUS Media, an impact studio. His directorial credits include A Clean Slate (Cleveland International Film Festival), Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up (IndyShorts), and Rainbow Rider (Mountainfilm).

Lou Perez, Executive Producer

Lou Perez was the head writer and executive producer of the Webby Award-winning comedy channel We the Internet TV, produced and starred in the series Comedy Is Murder, and won a Silver ADDY® at the American Advertising Awards for his work with The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). Perez was half of the comedy duo Greg & Lou; produced The Attendants with Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video; produced pilots for FOX Digital and MSN Games; was a comedy producer on TruTV’s Impractical Jokers; has been a frequent guest on Gutfeld!; and debated comedian and author Michael Ian Black for Open to Debate.

Courtesy Submission; Whitewater Rafting Photo by Jackalope Weston Unsplash