BAYTOWN, TX — Lee College will kick off Black History Month with an improv comedy show at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) featuring two groups known for entertaining audiences with clever satire and interesting characters in unexpected situations.
The R.E.A.L. Comedy Night will start at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 28, at the Black Box Theater inside the PAC. Tickets are $5 and proceeds will benefit the Reaching Excellence Against Limitations (R.E.A.L.) student organization, which works to educate, empower, enhance and create positive change for black male students on campus.
“Improv is a way to be creative and a way to explore your voice, discovering who you are as a performer and person,” said Jessica Falla, a college counselor who also advises the R.E.A.L. organization. “We thought it would be great to showcase these wonderful black performers and celebrate their talent.”
Falla is one-half of A Spike Lee Joint, the first group that will perform at Comedy Night. The duo explores taboo subjects such as racism, sexism and ageism – often resulting in scenes marked by satirical, darker humor. They draw their themes from anonymous letters sent by people willing to share their experiences as members of marginalized groups.
The second troupe to take the stage will be Can’t Tell Us Nothing, four black performers whose improv is inspired by rapper Kanye West. The group introduces strong and whimsical characters in their fast-paced scenes, then takes those characters down rabbit holes and unpredictable pathways.
The R.E.A.L. Comedy Night at Lee College may contain language and material that may not be suitable for all audiences. Performers will participate in a live question-and-answer session after the show about why they do improv comedy and the choices they make on stage.