The Ioka Theater has raised its profile in recent months, adding to the slate of first-run films and occasional music acts that are its bread and butter with monthly performances by  nationally touring comedians on its historic stage.

In October, Jackie The Joke Man Martling performed at the Exeter theater, followed by Nick Di Paolo in November. Now Dustin Diamond, formerly known as Screech in “Saved by the Bell,” will perform on Friday, Dec. 15.

“For 2007, we’re looking at Henry Cho, Gilbert Gotfried, possibly Stephen Wright and Colin Quinn. Most of the people we’re getting are comics traveling the country who are going to Boston or Portland but who have not been traveling to Portsmouth or Exeter. We’re trying to establish a comedy stop on the Seacoast,” says Eric Baron, of Kittery-based Red Baron Entertainment, who is booking the shows for the Ioka.

Baron describes his company as “an entertainment concierge company” offering entertainment, travel and business services. In addition to booking shows, it’s their business to get ordinary people with some spending cash into red carpet events like the Grammy or Cannes Film Festival, or send them in a private jet to the Super Bowl.

For now, one of his challenges is getting fans of comedy to think of Exeter as a hotspot. “It’s a little difficult because the town closes early, and there are not as many bars there,” he says, then points out that “the drinks (at the Ioka) are considerably cheaper than going out in Portsmouth.”

“More and more people are coming to shows, and eventually we’ll get the crowd we’re looking for,” he says.