Stand-Up · Improv · Sketch
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.”
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.
Stand Up: The Craft of Comedy (with John Gronbeck-Tedesco) is forthcoming from Routledge — see Publications.
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”
“Voices from the Comedy Contact Zone: Regarding Performative Strategies Toward Race and the Transnational Body”
“Key & Peele”
“Trevor Noah”
The Performance of Intersectionality on the 21st Century Stand-Up Comedy Stage
“Book Review: A Philosophy of Comedy on Stage and Screen”
“Book Review: Gender and Humor: Interdisciplinary and International Perspectives”
“Performance and Book Review: Donelle Woolford’s Dick’s Last Stand and Dick Jokes”
“Comedy Above All Else: On Directing The Last Cyclist”
“In Defense of the New Muppets: A Meditation on Self-Aware Comedy”
Fem and Funny: Three Women who Changed the Face of Stand-Up Comedy
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
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”
“Getting the Giggles: Playing with Elements of Sketch Comedy”
“Improvisation for Physics and Engineering Presentation”
Professional Affiliations
- American Humor Studies Association (AHSA)
- Critical Humor Studies Collective (CHSA)
Work Together
Book a Comedy Workshop or Coaching Session
I offer comedy coaching, stand-up development, and improvisation workshops for individuals and organizations.