Ever felt like you were the best at making people laugh? Well, maybe now you can seriously pursue it as a career — after you get a degree in Comedic Arts! Starting September 2016, Emerson College will offer a new four-year degree in its School of the Arts: a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Comedic Arts.
Grounded in the history and theory of comedy with a concentration of practical experiential learning and a capstone project, the degree will focus on preparing students for careers in comedy performance, writing, and production. Prospective students can apply to major in Comedic Arts at Emerson beginning this fall.
Rise of comedy impact
During the past few years, the college has stayed closely connected with the marked rise of comedy’s impact on American culture and its global influence — offering more courses focused on comedy; hiring additional faculty with expertise in the field; supporting the 10 student-run comedy troupes; and launching a Comedy minor.
Emerson’s approach to the study of comedic arts crosses multiple disciplines and integrates historical and modern comedic methods. The new Comedic Arts degree will include a strong foundation in the liberal arts and a combination of courses from three departments within the School of the Arts — Visual and Media Arts, Performing Arts and Writing, Literature and Publishing. Courses will focus on the history, theory, and applications of comedy, and will include opportunities to explore diverse global perspectives of comedy.
No laughing matter
To complement the Comedic Arts curriculum, the college has partnered with LA-based improv group, the Upright Citizens Brigade, to offer classes and expertise through Emerson’s Los Angeles facility. Students will have opportunities to attend professional development seminars and performance-based comedy events, connect with professionals in the field, and engage with Emerson’s American Comedy Archive.
Key classes in the new major include Elements of Sitcom Production, Modes of Comedy Production, Theories of Humour and Laughter, Comedy Writing for Late Night, The Comedy Writers’ Room, Performing Sketch Comedy, Acting and Directing Sketch Comedy, and Comedy Editing and Post-Production.
Well-known for its comedic legacy in the entertainment industry, Emerson’s alumni include executive producer Kevin Bright (Friends), who is also the founding director of Emerson Los Angeles; comedian, actor, and writer Mario Cantone (Sex and the City); actress and comedian Jennifer Coolidge (Legally Blonde, Two Broke Girls); producer Vin Di Bona (America's Funniest Home Videos); writers Eric Drysdale and Opus Moreschi (The Colbert Report); executive producers Eric Falconer and Chris Romano (How I Met Your Mother, Blue Mountain State); writer John Frink (The Simpsons); actor, comedian, and producer Henry Winkler (Happy Days, Royal Pains); and comedian and writer Steven Wright to name a few.