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Event schedule
Friday
| 3 p.m. |
Registration/Volunteer and moderator orientation |
| 6-7 p.m. |
Dinner |
| 7:15 p.m. |
Opening remarks/Welcome |
| 7:30-9 p.m. |
Keynote speaker: Merrill Markoe |
| 9-11 p.m. |
After Hours
Headliner: Rubi Nicholas
Dave Lloyd and the Mensans with the Shakes Players: Who Iced the Princes? An Audience-Participation History-Mystery-Comedy
Gary Sudin, musician, songwriter: Original song parodies
Dr. Alan Schmidt, orator: "My Camp Experience" |
Saturday
| 8:30-10 a.m. |
The Psychology of Humor
The Evolutionary Role of Humor, Rod Martin, Ph.D.
This session will explore theoretical and empirical evidence for several psychological functions of humor and laughter and summarize recent research on the role of humor in mental health, including forms of humor that are potentially detrimental and those that may be beneficial. |
| 10:15-11:45 a.m. |
Analysis of Comedy: Mechanisms and examples
The Comic Toolbox, John Vorhaus
This session will provide an overview of the tools and techniques for writing comedy — in other words, the "rules, tools and a good, swift kick in the motivation." |
| 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. |
Lunch |
| 1-2:30 pm. |
The Sociology of Humor
Joking Cultures: Humor Themes as Social Regulation in Group Life, Gary Alan Fine, Ph.D.
This session will examine how "joking cultures" and how groups — even Mensa — develop a humor identity. |
| 2:45-4 p.m. |
The Biology of Humor
Fact or Fiction: The Research on the Health Benefits of Humor, Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D.
This session will present an integrative model that outlines the healing power of humor and strategies to increase your "humor quotient." |
| 4:15-5:45 p.m. |
Moderated breakout sessions/Comedy workshops |
| 6-7 p.m. |
Dinner |
| 7:15 p.m. |
Announcements |
| 7:30-8:45 p.m. |
Director’s Forum: The interactive analysis and discussion of performance comedy
Watch and learn as directors from The Second City put professional actors through their paces. You’ll get a step-by-step description of directing decisions—and what works and what doesn’t. |
| 9-11 p.m. |
After Hours
Headliner: Improv This! Featuring The Alan Smithee Players
Matt Crawford: "Take My Punch Line, Please”
Kenneth Schwartz, Groucho Marx impersonator extraordinaire
Laurie Breier, interactive improv: The audience suggests subjects, from which Laurie improvises short standup routines
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Sunday
| 8:30-9:45 a.m. |
Moderated breakout sessions/Comedy workshops |
| 10-11:45 a.m. |
Speaker panel discussion:
The Intersection of Humor Research and Comedy Creation
Wrap up the weekend with a discussion by our panel of expert professors, practitioners, and creators. Here’s a chance to get your questions answered from several different perspectives. See how these viewpoints intersect and diverge. Ed Dunkelblau, Ph.D., will moderate the discussion. |
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