something about Skidmore?
“What happens at ComFest could not happen anywhere else. Our campus is abnormally friendly,” Conley asserts. “A comedy show at Skidmore fills an entire auditorium with re- ceptive, savvy comedy fans who seem to love the craft of it as much as we do. There’s no greater gift a performer could ask for.” In fact, Conley’s visiting parents happened to share an ele- vator with professional comedi- ans Kate Berlant and Rory Scovel and overheard them raving about how enthusiastic and fun the Fri- day audience had been. No won- der the pros exceeded their time limit by 20 minutes. As Jurney re- calls, “Everyone was having such a good time, we didn’t quit until somebody from campus safety came by and told us it was time to lock the building.” Saturday’s pro troupes, Good Cop Great Cop and the Upright Citizens Brigade All-Stars of Im- prov, were also hits. The partici- pation of professionals, including in Saturday morning workshops, is part of the fabric of ComFest— a mingling of pros with students that educates, provides network- ing connections, and makes an actual career in comedy seem achievable. This year, former Onion staff writer Matt Klinman, a member of Upright Citizens Brigade’s Harold Team Surfing, led a workshop on writing comedy for the Web. Beyond the particu- lars, he offered life advice: “Sup- press the idea that you have to produce a Web series to be discov- ered.” Instead, he urged, “Express yourself through art. That’s what you should get excited about.” There’s also strong support from the Skidmore community, including the dozens of non -
On public radio Miner related how he’s been running into more and more college grads who tell him, “You know, going to Skidmore for that weekend was the best week of my year.” He’s pleased that “they have a connection to my alma mater through a weekend that I started. I love how it ex- tends the Skidmore community to all these other students.”
Why they do it
Peter Johnston ’14 is a member of two comedy groups. “One of the highlights of my life,” he says, “is when I saw the Ad-Libs put up a paper plate with my name on it, giving me a place in the group. I still have the plate. I’ll probably hold onto it forever.” Like a num- ber of other Skidmore comics, Johnston plans to “move to New York City to grind out some sort of career in comedy. It’s going to be difficult and trying at times, but I can’t imagine doing any- thing else, even though I’m mild- ly terrified.”
EVEN SIGNING IN THE VISITING TROUPES SPURS HILARITY. SLOW CHILDREN AT PLAY THINK FAST ON STAGE. HAPPILY EVER LAUGHTER PRODS A SERIOUS SUBJECT.
comedians who eagerly host visiting troupes in their dorm rooms and apartments. Julie Dietz ’11, as a ComFest 2011 co-director, devoted a big chunk of her senior year to it even though she wasn’t a performer. “You have to do it,” she told Splitsider. Every year since 1990, “the festival not happen- ing is not a choice: people are counting on you to get it done.”
Emily Moler ’15, who wants to become a theater director, saw Skidomedy perform during her freshman year and was “so im- pressed” that she dedicated the ensuing summer to “writing and more writing” so that she could make the team. The best part of the experience, she says: “There is a lot of trust and love in the group. I know I can always count on them, and I know I would be there in a heartbeat if any of them asked. That’s something I take very seriously.” Ultimately, though, it’s all about the fun, even the meetings and rehearsals. “A couple times a week, we meet up to pitch ideas and read each other’s sketches,” says Sketchie Will Hoeschler ’14. “I love spending time with these
guys and being creative. It sounds cliché and cheesy, but it’s awesome just laughing and hanging out with each other.” Awkward Kids Talking member John Barrack ’15 says, “I have the chance to be a monster, a mobster, a hipster, liter- ally a hip, an illiterate, and the president of the US, all in the span of an hour, with my favorite people in the world. What’s not to love?”
SPRING 2014 SCOPE 17
ERIC JENKS ’08 PHOTOS
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