The premier incubator for diverse, world-changing comedy talent, Yes, And… Laughter Lab, is thrilled to announce the inaugural YALLFest, promising an unforgettable showcase of laughter, creativity, and the power to change the outdated status quo when the whole world feels like it’s on fire. No small task! Taking place from April 17th to April 19th, 2024, the festival will feature nearly 200 comedians in the YALL community, cultivated over the past five years.
The festival kicks off on Wednesday, April 17th with a captivating panel discussion featuring Co-Founder of Yes, And…Laughter Lab Caty Borum (also the author of The Revolution Will Be Hilarious: Comedy for Social Change and Civic Power, listed as in Vulture’s Top Comedy Books of 2023) with Jesse David Fox, Senior Editor for Comedy at Vulture. This enlightening conversation will delve into the intricacies of comedy, diversity, and social impact, followed by an engaging Q&A session.
Following the panel, audiences will be treated to the acclaimed featured show “Muslim Girls DTF,” showcasing the talents of Aizzah Fatima, Atheer Yacoub, Dina Hashem, and Amamah Sardar. The creators will also participate in a Q&A session, providing insights into their comedic process and cultural influences.
Afterward, attendees can unwind and mingle at the lively after-party hangout, complete with cocktails and camaraderie.
The comedy extravaganza will feature the comedic stylings of comedy stalwarts Chris Gethard, Dylan Adler, Kelly Bachman, Kenice Mobley, and Sam Morrison. The festival continues with more pitch showcases, table reads, and featured shows, including “Go Touch Grass” and “Solo Shows Preview.” Throughout the festival, attendees can also enjoy screenings of comedic films and web series in the lounge, including These Thems, from Our Flag Means Death’s Vico Ortiz and comedian Gretchen Wylder.
Today, comedy writers and performers want to create hilarious comedy that reveals their lived experiences, addresses injustice, and brings people together to connect about urgent topics. “This festival serves as a testament to our commitment to empowering comedians from marginalized backgrounds and bridging the gap between entertainment, philanthropy, and social justice,” said Mik Moore and Caty Borum, co-founders of Yes, And… Laughter Lab. “This festival celebrates the power of comedy to unite, inspire, and entertain, and we can’t wait to share it with audiences.”
YALLfest is sponsored by industry titans Comedy Central and NBCU LAUNCH,and generously supported by organizations such as the Doris Duke Foundation’s Building Bridges Program, MacArthur Foundation, Pop Culture Collaborative, Open Society Foundations, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Tickets for the festival are on sale now. For more information and updates, see below.
Mentions: Pre-sale Passes for YALLfest are now available. You can choose a 3-Day All-Access Pass, VIP All-Access Pass, or Day Passes for Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. Visit asylumtix.com/yallfest to browse and select your preferred type of festival pass. Follow Yes, And… Laughter Lab on Twitter and Instagram at @YALLcomedy. Location: Asylum NYC | 123 E 24th Street, NY, NY. Feed the algo.
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