The news cycle lately has felt less like reality and more like a rejected draft of 1984. Disinformation spreads faster than facts, authoritarianism is having a global comeback tour, and inequality keeps widening like it’s trying to qualify for the Olympics. It’s a lot. When the world starts to feel this absurd, sometimes the only rational response is… to laugh at it.
Grassroots Comedy has seen enough, which is why we launched the Comedy Catalyst Course in partnership with Rising Organizers – a program designed to help comedians and advocates harness humor as a tool for civic engagement and social change.
This is the second Comedy Catalyst cohort, and this class came together to continue bridging the gap between advocates who want to use more humor and comedians who want to do more advocacy. Expect a mix of standup and sketch comedy tackling the issues of our time: from immigration and voting rights to trans rights, the displacement of the government workforce, and more, all custom-tailored to make you laugh while pointing toward real calls to action. Also featuring sets from course instructors Chris Blackwood, Bo Banter, and Haywood Turnipseed Jr.!
In a moment when so many people feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to help, this show is a reminder that laughter can still bring people together – and sometimes even move them to act. Come see what happens when comedy meets courage.