Theatre Stage Spotlight
Rachel E. Blackburn

Rachel E. Blackburn

Ph.D., M.F.A.

Comedy, Improv & Sketch

"Comedy is truth-telling in disguise. Through stand-up, improv, and sketch, we can address the most difficult subjects while connecting with audiences in unexpected and transformative ways."

Comedy performance

The Art of Comedy

Comedy Research & Scholarship

Comedy—particularly stand-up—is at the heart of my scholarly work. My dissertation, "The Performance of Intersectionality on the 21st Century Stand-Up Comedy Stage," examines how contemporary comedians use the stage to interrogate and perform intersectional identities.

I explore how comedy serves as both entertainment and activism, analyzing the performative strategies comedians use to address race, gender, sexuality, and social justice.

Key Research Areas

  • Intersectionality and stand-up comedy
  • Comedy as social and political activism
  • Performance strategies in contemporary stand-up
  • Humor studies and comedy theory

Stand-Up Comedy

My experience with stand-up comedy includes not only research, but performance practice, producing, and coaching as well. I’ve also interviewed many performers, managers and club owners, including Sam Jay, Stewart Lee, Lisa Lampanelli, Kerry Codett, Ian Harvie, B.T. Kingsley, Adrienne Truscott, Tehran Von Ghasri, Gina Brillon, and more.

Selected Comedy-Related Publications

"Recasting Diva Culture: Performative Strategies of Fourth-Wave Black Feminist Stand-Up Comedy"
In Diva: Feminism and Fierceness from Pop to Hip-Hop • Bloomsbury
"Voices from the Comedy Contact Zone: Regarding Performative Strategies Toward Race and the Transnational Body"
In Punching Up: Stand-Up Comedy Speaking Truth to Power • Routledge
"Key & Peele"
In American Political Humor: Masters of Satire and Their Impact on U.S. Policy and Culture • ABC-CLIO, LLC
"Trevor Noah"
In American Political Humor: Masters of Satire and Their Impact on U.S. Policy and Culture • ABC-CLIO, LLC
The Performance of Intersectionality on the 21st Century Stand-Up Comedy Stage • ProQuest
“Book Review: A Philosophy of Comedy on Stage and Screen”
In Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism • Vol. 31, No. 2. University of Kansas Press
“Book Review: Gender and Humor: Interdisciplinary and International Perspectives”
In Studies in American Humor • Series 4, Vol. 3, No. 1. Pennsylvania State University Press
“Performance and Book Review: Donelle Woolford’s Dick’s Last Stand and Dick Jokes”
In Studies in American Humor, Special Issue: American Satire and the Post-Modern Condition • Series 4, Vol. 2, No. 2. Pennsylvania State University Press
“Comedy Above All Else: On Directing The Last Cyclist”
In Humor in America, Blog Humor in America Project • University of Texas, Austin
"In Defense of the New Muppets: A Meditation on Self-Aware Comedy"
Humor in America Blog
Fem and Funny: Three Women who Changed the Face of Stand-Up Comedy
Virginia Commonwealth University Press

Teaching Comedy

I teach stand-up comedy and humor studies at the university level, helping students understand comedy as both an art form and a tool for social commentary.

Stand-Up Comedy Course

Emerson College • Department of Performing Arts

Guest lecture, exploring the history, theory, and practice of stand-up comedy as a performance form.

The Gravity of Humor

Interdisciplinary seminar introducing students to sketch, stand-up, and improv interwoven with humor studies theory.

Devising Performance: Developing Original Comic Work

Students learn improvisation, sketch, and stand-up structures to create devised theatrical works.

Comedy Workshops

I facilitate workshops that use comedy and improvisation for various contexts:

"Improvisation for Team Building"
SAP, LLC • October 2025
"Getting the Giggles: Playing with Elements of Sketch Comedy"
Georgia Thespian Conference • February 2020
"Improvisation for Physics and Engineering Presentation"
KU Physics and Engineering Student Organization • October 2016

Professional Affiliations

American Humor Studies Association (AHSA)

Critical Humor Studies Collective (CHSA)

Book a Comedy Workshop or Coaching Session

I offer comedy coaching, stand-up development, and improvisation workshops for individuals and organizations.

Get in Touch