Members of Laff Co. performing at the Powerhouse. Photo: Laff Co.
If you are the type to watch stand-up comedy on Netflix, it is time to turn the television off and head to the Powerhouse for the Southeastern Comedy Arts Festival this weekend.
The festival is sponsored by the Southeastern Comedy Arts Alliance, the Powerhouse Community Arts Center and the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council.
“The Southeastern Comedy Arts Festival is a yearly gathering of comedians throughout the area to perform and learn the craft of comedy through standup, improv and workshops,” said Bruce Butler, director of the festival and director of improvisation group Laff Co.
The workshops are held from 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. on Saturday. They include a character building workshop, “Improv 101” and “From Practice to Performance,” which teaches how to take half-formed ideas from rehearsal and flesh them out to a performance-ready sketch, according to Laff Co. member Brian Spurlock.
In addition to the workshops, there will be two live shows on Saturday: an improv showcase at 7 p.m. and the Blue Revue Adult Comedy Show at 9 p.m. Both are open to the public and tickets are available at the door for $10 each or $15 for both.
Laff Co. is an Oxford-based group that has been performing since 2004 and was recently selected to be a part of the Mississippi Arts Commission’s 2013-14 Artist Roster.
Spurlock, senior biology and chemistry major, has been a part of Laff Co. for four years and is excited for students and Oxford residents to experience the troupe’s performances.
“I always have a great time at rehearsal and during performances. Everyone in the troupe is funny individually, so it’s always a blast to hang out with them,” Spurlock said. “I recommend coming to see at least one of the shows because of the breadth of talent that will be on stage.”
That talent includes newcomers like the Misfit Monkeys of Jackson, Pants Optional Improv of Hattiesburg and the Longshot Theatre Company of Gulfport as well as returners the Stage Monkeys of Hattiesburg, Cult of Stage Monkey from Lafayette, La. and two groups from Tupelo, West of Shake Rag and Stranger, Are You Smiling?
King Kobraz, the Oxford music group most known for their song “Feed Moncrief,” will provide music.
“There are very new and very old improv groups full of talented people whose sole job on that stage is to work with their team and make you laugh,” Spurlock said. “It should be a great show.”
Overall, eight improv groups and six stand-up comedians will be performing this year.
“Laff Co. will be closing the event and will push the limits of their comedic talents by premiering new games that are sure to put a smile on the face of every audience member,” Butler said.
The Powerhouse is located at 413 South 14th Street. More information on the Southeastern Comedy Arts Festival can be found on the Facebook event page.
— Casey Holliday
