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Comedy Creativity

Dionysus, was the god of wine and excess. He was a patron of Greek theater. We heard that he was also funny when he was drunk. For more info click on the photo. It will open in a new window.

“Comedy Creativity and Humor is, by nature, creative and offers the opportunity to discuss real-life problems in a way that does not threaten the client.” Pritzker

Creative comedy is not just for performers. Comedy creativity promotes mental health and audience flow between active viewer and artist. It is also referred to as humor therapy.

A sense of humor can help you keep things in perspective.

It can also help you cheer yourself on.

What is Comedy Flow?

According to Pritzker, Flow is when “A conversation develops between the viewer and the work that is so engaging that all sense of time is lost. The cognitive engagement means that being part of an audience can be enjoyable, educational, active and creative.” (2007) Pritzker.

Humor and resilience

"When we notice the humor in a situation, we are in an observant role. It takes a little bit of psychological distance in order to see the humor in ourselves and our circumstances. We are standing beside our painful situation when we can laugh at it. This can give us a chance to stick a pin in negative emotions and choose actions that are coping and positive. It is hard to wallow or ruminate in negative emotions when you’re seeing the absurdity in your situation.

At the same time, humor isn’t exactly escapist; it doesn’t deny the awfulness of adversity. For example, people who have shared a difficult experience often share a “gallows humor”: jokes and wit about their suffering that are only appropriate to be told by and among those who have shared the adversity. This in-group humor can help acknowledge and dispel negative emotions and strengthen social support among people who have come through trauma and challenges. It can also be a way for people who have survived a difficult experience to mentor and encourage those who are still going through it.

Humor has helped people through some of the darkest times imaginable. Humor and resilienceWhen we notice the humor in a situation, we are in an observant role. It takes a little bit of psychological distance in order to see the humor in ourselves and our circumstances. We are standing beside our painful situation when we can laugh at it. This can give us a chance to stick a pin in negative emotions and choose actions that are coping and positive. It is hard to wallow or ruminate in negative emotions when you’re seeing the absurdity in your situation.

Humor has helped people through some of the darkest times imaginable. As psychiatrist Victor Frankl wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning about surviving Nazi concentration camps: “Humor was another of the soul's weapons in the fight for self-preservation. It is well known that humor, more than anything else in the human makeup, can afford an aloofness and an ability to rise above any situation, even if only for a few seconds.”

"Exposure to humor before and after an unpleasant stimulus." Cann, A., et al. Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, 13(2).

"Does humor moderate the effects of experimentally-induced stress?" Newman, M. G., et al. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 18(2).

Sources:The Resilient Self, Steven J. Wolin and Sybil WolinHumor and life stress: Antidote to adversity. Lefcourt, H. M., et al."Coping humour, stress, and cognitive appraisals." Kuiper, N. A., et al. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 25(1)."Humor, coping with stress, self-concept, and psychological well-being." Martin, R. A., et al. Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, 6(1)."Exposure to humor before and after an unpleasant stimulus." Cann, A., et al. Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, 13(2)."Does humor moderate the effects of experimentally-induced stress?" Newman, M. G., et al. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 18(2).

Essay_Comedy Flow

Number one advice for newbie comics?

Just be your self!

Great advice if you know who you are, and even if you do the next question is are ya funny?

Enjoy an example from a young comic friend of ours.

Michael Darren, Stand-up Comic and Actor

Michael Darren is a funny guy that found a way to use humor to vent his life experiences and make others laugh. We have no doubt that Michael will earn his living performing. We may even see him on "The Craig Ferguson Show" soon.

Enjoy his video. Notice how he creates audience flow.

Michael Darren's Comedy Newest to Latest:

"You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself."

-actress Ethel Barrymore

During the months of preparation for the Apollo 14 moon shot, Alan Shepard deflected the pressure of the the undertaking by joking with the flight director. "Hey," he'd say, "we're not not trying to cure cancer; we're just trying to get to the moon and back." Use your sense of humor to lighten your load. You may fly higher than you ever imagined!

(Gathered from Newsletter U.S. Career Institute- 3- 2009)

Creative Careers

Are you creative? If so, please share your experiences, advice, and opinions.

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