Emerson College's student newspaper

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College's student newspaper

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College's student newspaper

The Berkeley Beacon

Fortune Feimster delivers delectable comedy set

Fortune Feimster delivers delectable comedy set

By Clara Faulkner, Staff Writer, Living Arts
March 22, 2023

Ready for a night filled with laughter, a crowd eagerly waited outside the Wilbur Theater for renowned comedian Fortune Feimster’s comedy tour “Live Laugh Love!”  On March 18, the theater was...

“Comics of Color” will give platform to POC performers

“Comics of Color” will give platform to POC performers

By Sophia Pargas, Living Arts Editor
November 2, 2022

A live comedy-variety show invites people of color to share their comedic talents through sketch, improv, and stand-up. The event, hosted by Stand Up in the Park, will take place on Thursday, Nov. 3 at...

Comedians perform at the All-Troupe show.

All-Troupe show brings out the best from Emerson’s comedians

By Jackson Bailey, Staff Writer, Living Arts
September 22, 2022

A large crowd gathered outside the Student Performance Center last Friday night with anticipation building for “Too Loud,” the All-Troupe showcase meant to reintroduce 13 comedy orgs to audience members...

Cara Connors, photographed by Sela Shiloni.

Cara Connors: layers of a comedian

By Karissa Schaefer, Staff Writer, Living Arts
June 8, 2022

Not long after their first 15 North American shows, stand-up comedian Cara Connors will return to the stage on June 9 at The White Bull Tavern in Boston’s Faneuil Hall for the second leg of their tour,...

Promotional poster for Grace: Live. Credit: Isabella Bertram.

The Girlie Project returns Friday with new rendition of ‘Grease’

By Karissa Schaefer, Staff Writer, Living Arts
February 3, 2022

The Girlie Project is back Feb. 4 with another staged performance—this time, with their own comedic read-through of the classic musical “Grease,” uniquely titled “Grace.” Since senior visual...

10 festive films to get you into the holiday spirit

10 festive films to get you into the holiday spirit

By Rachel Hackam
December 14, 2021

As the fall semester comes to a close, the long anticipated winter break we all deserve is only days away. Here is a list of ten classic, snuggle-inducing movies to watch while enjoying your time off during...

James P.W. Martin 13 posing with his new anthology, Eggplant Emoji Volume 1.

‘Laughter is medicine’: alum published comedic short story anthology

By Karissa Schaefer, Staff Writer, Living Arts
November 18, 2021

Labeled as “humor for the culturally refined” and promising to subvert expectations—Eggplant Emoji Volume 1, a new collection of comedic short stories from an Emerson alum, was released last month.  The...

Don’t stuff your animals; team anti taxidermy

Don’t stuff your animals; team anti taxidermy

By Campbell Parish
November 18, 2021

Don’t taxidermy your precious pet. After all, there's a reason why the vet doesn't tell you you’ll get your pet back in good shape if it dies. As I scroll through TikTok, I look at the curated videos...

The Girlie Project performing their comedy show, Alaina.

Comedy troupe, The Girlie Project, performs hilarious rendition of ‘Annie’ called ‘Alaina’

By Karissa Schaefer, Staff Writer, Living Arts
October 28, 2021

Most people are familiar with the classic story of “Annie”—an orphan girl who is selected to live with rich man Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks who eventually adopts her. But how about this: instead...

Kiran Deol, a South Asian American comedian, actress, and filmmaker.

Comedian Kiran Deol emphasizes need for diversity in comedy ahead of upcoming show

By Mariyam Quaisar, Editor In Chief
October 27, 2021

Like many industries in the US, the comedic arts are dominated by white males, making it especially noteworthy and necessary when women of color take the stage.  Kiran Deol is headlining a show on...

Jacqueline Novak performing her stand-up show, Get On Your Knees.

‘Get On Your Knees’ will have you standing on your feet

By Campbell Parish
September 23, 2021

After 18 months of not attending in-person performances, I'm glad that Jaqueline Novak was the one who welcomed me back for my first in-person show.  "Get On Your Knees," Novak’s one-woman show was...

Jacqueline Novak performing her stand-up show, Get On Your Knees.

‘To me, the blowjob as a concept is kind of just really fascinating’: Jacqueline Novak’s one woman stand-up show is back

By Campbell Parish
September 9, 2021

After the pandemic forced the cancelation of her previous tour, Jacqueline Novak’s "Get on Your Knees" tour is back, bringing much-needed laughs and giggles about a surprising topic—blowjobs.  Her...

Ricky Downes III performing on stage

Alum Ricky Downes III writes and performs his own Lion King parody

By Sophia Pargas, Living Arts Editor
September 9, 2021

“The Lion King but it’s Just One Guy” began when Ricky Downes III ‘15 was a junior at Emerson—now, the production, a one man show, is free to stream on YouTube after it completed a successful...

Alumnus and comedian Bill Burr 93 received his first Grammy nomination for his new comedy album, Paper Tiger.

Bill Burr ‘93 receives first Grammy nomination for comedy album ‘Paper Tiger’

By Lucia Thorne, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
December 14, 2020

Emerson alumnus Bill Burr ‘93 will have his first ever shot at a Grammy early next year after his newest Netflix comedy special, Paper Tiger, received a nomination for Best Comedy Album.  Paper Tiger...

Alex Clark 07 wrapped up his nationwide comedy tour on March 31. - Photo courtesy of Alex Clark

Alumnus comedian finds success on YouTube

By Taina Millsap, Staff Writer
April 2, 2019

Before going viral on YouTube, Alex Clark ‘07 performed comedy on street corners for tips. Clark started at Faneuil Hall in Boston and ended up traveling the world performing on street corners from 2009...

Evan McDonald (left) and Jeru Berry (right) created No Whites Allowed and the documentary won the Audience Award at Emersons Film Festival. - Photo by Thomas Bloxham / Beacon Correspondent

Alumni ‘No Whites Allowed’ documentary exposes Emerson’s lack of diversity

By Cassandre Coyer
April 2, 2019

Evan McDonald ’18 joined comedy troupe Emerson Comedy Workshop in January 2016 as the first black man to ever join in its 40 years of existence. After acknowledging the lack of inclusion in comedy troupes...

Sophomore David Potashnik and junior Benjamin Zieper created The Big Ugly Show in their dorms and now holds performances at Democracy Brewery.
Photo by Greyson Acquaviva / Beacon Staff

Student comedians bring stand-up from dorm to bar

By Katie Redefer, Staff Writer
January 16, 2019

During the first week of last semester, junior Benjamin Zieper and sophomore David Potashnik crammed student comedians into a small dorm room to practice their routines on an audience of peers. After...

 I can’t help but think that having a more diverse mix of students and teachers would do wonders for not only comedy, but nearly everything at Emerson. / Illustration by Ally Rzesa

Major Thoughts: Embracing comedic and cultural identity

By Brandon Ratcliff
November 21, 2018

This article is part of the "Major Thoughts" series. Contributors will be voicing their opinions about their major, including improvements they would like to see and advice for other students.  When...

 I can’t help but think that having a more diverse mix of students and teachers would do wonders for not only comedy, but nearly everything at Emerson. / Illustration by Ally Rzesa

Major Thoughts: Take us seriously, comedic arts curriculum is no laughing matter

By Sean Deringer
November 15, 2018

The notion of a comedic arts major may seem preposterous to many—some may even consider it a joke. I’ve heard countless people say, “You can’t teach comedy. It is just something that comes naturally,”...

Suzie Hicks combines science, feminism, and comedy in her new EIV show. Photo by Cullen Granzn.

‘Science Chick’ experiments with science and comedy

By Ally Rzesa
April 12, 2018

On her Bumble dating profile, senior Suzie Hicks described herself as a female Bill Nye the Science Guy while she worked at the New England Aquarium last summer. Her friend suggested she change the...

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