Black Comedy Network & Chill

Overview

This event is part of the 2022 Queen City Comedy Experience (July 31-August 28).

Hosted by Stephanie Rae from the Black Improv Alliance.

You know that moment at a comedy event when you spot another Black person across the room? And you think to yourself, we should connect! But then you get busy or feel awkward or you just miss the moment and you wish there was a way to start the conversation naturally? Well, we've got your back! Join us for Black Comedy Network and Chill - a chance to chat, connect, and maybe even crack some jokes with the friends you know and the Black comedy cousins you haven't met yet. Because we love our Blackness and yours. See you there!

About Black Improv Alliance:

The Black Improv Alliance is a community of current and future Black improvisers. They are proud to be both an independent organization and the leaders of Black & Funny: Florida. Their work has been featured by Speakeasy Theater, Bob Carter’s Actor’s Rep, Improv U, The Pack, Hideout Theater, Miami Improv Festival, Baltimore Improv Festival, Palm Beach Improv Festival, Countdown Improv Festival, Twin Cities/Black & Funny Improv Festival, Black Impact Benefit Show, John Krasinski’s Some Good News, and more! They perform and teach all over the world and online.

The Black Improv Alliance (BIA) makes spaces for people of African descent to build worlds, create characters, and tell original stories - authentically and unapologetically. Through unscripted comedy, drama, and music, they are dismantling white supremacy, one scene at a time.   

BIA is committed to speaking out against racism, increasing representation in improv, and reminding everyone everywhere that Black laughs and Black Lives Matter. They hope to entertain and uplift people of all colors but will always focus on amplifying Black voices.

Stephanie Rae has been studying traditional and musical improv for twelve years. She’s directed a Boyz II Men themed show for UCB's Del Close Marathon, guest played with everyone from the Groundlings to ComedySportz, and taught classes and workshops for improvisers from Louisiana to Liverpool. 

These days, she directs the Black Improv Alliance, performing with PlayBLACK Collective and Wakanda vs. Everybody, and running the 100 Black Improvisers Partnership - a program which has created scholarships for Black improvisers at more than 50 theaters around the world. She also has a law degree from Georgetown - but mostly uses it to win arguments online.