Anne Libera, founder of the Comedy Studies program at Columbia College, discusses comedy history, theory, and the importance of well-rounded professionals. They explore comedy cross-training, the art and craft of comedy, controlling context in comedy, transitioning from Second City to creating a comedy school, the history of comedy, the impact of comedy as a commodity, and comedy levels and intentionality.
Comedy has evolved throughout history, from ancient Greece to vaudeville to modern stand-up and YouTube, showcasing different styles and reaching wider audiences.
The role of the king's fool in history, who could criticize and mock those in power without consequences, continues in modern times with late-night comedians serving as the official Fool.
Vaudeville, a form of entertainment that combined comedy, music, and performance, laid the foundation for modern stand-up comedy and serves as a predecessor to platforms like YouTube.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Comedy
Comedy has been a part of human culture since before language. It is believed that humor developed as a way for our brains to test our macros and recognize the ridiculous. In ancient Greece, comedy focused on people and situations specific to their time. As comedy evolved, vaudeville and variety entertainment emerged, showcasing skill and eye-catching performances. Stand-up comedy in the 20th century allowed for more personal point of view and satire. Today, YouTube serves as a modern form of vaudeville, with comedians able to reach a wide audience through the internet.
The King's Fool and Speaking Truth to Power
The king's fool was a historical figure who was allowed to speak truth to power. The fool's role was to criticize and make fun of the king, often being the only one who could do so without dire consequences. The fool became a job, filled by someone who was not taken seriously, allowing them to be more open in their commentary. This idea continues today with late-night comedians serving as the official Fool, able to criticize those in power while providing humor to the audience.
Vaudeville and Skill-Based Entertainment
Vaudeville was a form of entertainment that showcased a variety of acts, incorporating comedy, music, and performance. Skill was highly valued, and performers sought to create eye-catching, memorable acts. Vaudeville acts often featured recognizable characters and archetypes. This form of entertainment laid the foundation for modern stand-up comedy, with many performers using vaudeville as a springboard to success. Today, platforms like YouTube serve as the new vaudeville, allowing for comedy acts to gain exposure and reach a wide audience.
Comedy as an Art Form
Comedy is a versatile art form that can range from lowbrow slapstick humor to highbrow satire and observational comedy. Comedians have the freedom to choose their style, audience, and message, allowing for intentional and specific comedic creations. The Comedy Studies program emphasizes skill development, intentionality, and understanding the medium in order to create effective and impactful comedy.
The Specificity and Intentionality of Comedy
The Comedy Studies program enables students to become intentional and selective about the type of comedy they want to produce. Graduates of the program are equipped with the skills and knowledge to create comedy in various mediums, appealing to different audiences. They understand the importance of combining high and low art to create comedy that resonates emotionally while still providing humor. Through intentionality and specificity, these comedians approach comedy as an art form and have the ability to make deliberate choices about their comedic work.
Founder of the Comedy Studies program at Columbia College and comedy professor Anne Libera talks comedy history, comedy theory, and why it all matters.
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