The Comedy Lab Launches; Prioritizes Safe and Supportive Environment For Marginalized Comedians
March 10, 2023
BOSTON, MA - The Rozzie Square Theater, a leading and established comedy venue making improv accessible to Boston and Greater Boston areas, in partnership with FODBall Productions, a Boston-based production group dedicated to showcasing and uplifting comedians who are typically the “first, only, or different” on comedy lineups, today announces the launch of The Comedy Lab, a show dedicated to giving marginalized comedians the opportunity to experiment in a safe and supportive environment.
The Comedy Lab format, created and produced by FODBall Productions, offers a 75-minute stand-up experience where the audience is part of a testing ground for comedians' new jokes in front of a live audience.
“When it comes to creating safe, inclusive, and celebratory spaces, we know we’re stronger together; It’s an all-hands-on-deck thing if you want to build something sustainable. Bringing FODBall Productions in is that perfect partnership for building that vision. I’m looking forward to not just the debut of The Comedy Lab, but to 20-something years down the road when I believe we will be able to look back and see the positive, exponential impact ventures like this had in the community and on stages all over Boston and beyond.” - Courtney Pong, Owner & Founder, The Rozzie Square Theater
The Comedy Lab will be part of the theater’s regular monthly programming, joining other comedy-centric offerings like ComedySportz, Riot Improv, RiotX, and Queer Comedy Night.
"There are so few spaces for marginalized comics -women, people of color, queer folks, etc- to truly experiment in stand-up. Often jokes come at their expense, or they're put in spaces that are otherwise unwelcoming to them. These environments can be stifling, to say the least. It's uncomfortable for a comic to be in a room in which they're "the" token, expecting someone's joke to punch down on them, and knowing there's little they can do about it. FODball Productions is hoping that The Comedy Lab will allow comics to innovate and try new things in a space that truly celebrates them. Ultimately we're hoping this show format will allow comics - and audience members -to see more of themselves in comedy lineups.” -Steph Dalwin, co-producer, FODBall Productions
The Comedy Lab runs 1x/month on Thursdays @ 8pm, with the debut show taking place on Thursday, March 23, 2023. Tickets can be purchased here.
"We want to create more spaces for creativity in the Boston comedy scene, so that our shows are both diverse in terms of lineups, and diverse in what we offer” - Amma Marfo, co-producer, FODBall Productions
“We're a group of people who like to make fun shows happen, and this is a fun show and we're making it happen.” - Jack Simon, Co-producer, FODBall Productions
—
About FODBall Productions
FODball Productions is dedicated to showcasing and uplifting comedians who are typically the “first, only, or different” on comedy lineups. To that end, FODball shows prominently feature the comedy of female, queer, and/or people of color. We've been working in the Boston area since early 2022, presenting open mics and comedy shows highlighting the best of Boston talent. We hope you'll join us for a show or mic, sign up for our newsletter, and rethink what "funny" looks like along the way. https://linktr.ee/fodballproduction
About The Rozzie Square Theater
The Rozzie Square Theater is an established comedy venue in Boston whose mission is to build communities and unite people through laughter while making improv accessible and useful. The theater offers a variety of comedy programming and education opportunities from free drop-in classes to series workshops, unscripted and scripted shows, and live events. The Rozzie Square Theater, founded in May 2018, is the only improv venue and comedy venue in Boston owned by a Woman and Asian American. https://www.rozziesquaretheater.com/
FODball productions producers and comedians
