Comedy points out the absurdity of bigotry. Comedy makes hard truths easier to hear. Comedy serves as a form of catharsis, social critique, and opens the door to talking about taboo experiences; it normalizes groups and individuals too often portrayed as “the other.”
Today, diverse comedy writers and performers want to create hilarious comedy that reveals their lived experiences, addresses injustice, and brings people together to connect about urgent topics like racial justice, gender equity, climate change, and Islamophobia. They want their comedy to make it in Hollywood while collaborating with philanthropists, social movements and social justice organizations to increase its impact. And yet, until recently there was no model to elevate and support them.
Yes, And… Laughter Lab is a competitive incubation lab, pitch program, and festival that uplifts the best comedy writers and performers creating new comedy about topics that matter, with a focus on BIPOC, immigrant, Muslim, LGBTQ, and women creators. Designed to be one of the most important places for networks, platforms and distributors to find exciting new comedy content and creators, Laughter Lab connects an expanding pool of non-profit and advocacy organizations with innovative creative partners to ignite social change.
In 2023, the Yes, And… Laughter Lab expanded its offerings by creating YALL Comedy Fest, the first and only comedy festival that celebrates the power of humor to change the world. Showcasing a diverse community of Yes, And…Laughter Lab creators, YALL Comedy Fest spotlights the best comedy writers and performers who take on social justice issues while making us laugh. From pitches to table reads to stand-up, sketches, and more, YALL Comedy Fest is the place to discover some of the most talented creators in the industry for three days of next-level comedy.
OUR TEAM
The Yes, And…Laughter Lab is directed by the Center for Media & Social Impact and Moore + Associates, in partnership with the entertainment industry and social justice non-profits. Its sponsors and funders include Comedy Central, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art’s Building Bridges Program, Luminate, MacArthur Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Pop Culture Collaborative and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
OUR PARTNERS
Partners from the entertainment industry, philanthropy and social justice non-profits advise on the Laughter Lab and participate in the pitch events, which are underwritten by our sponsors. Yes, And… Laughter Lab’s partners include leaders in comedy and social change, including 3Arts Entertainment, A Penny For Your Thoughts Entertainment, Above Average, Artists First, BoomGen Studios, CAA Foundation, CAPE, Caring Across Generations, ViacomCBS, Color Creative, Color of Change, Comedy Central, Define American, GLAAD, GloNation, Harness, Imagine Artist Management, Irony Point, Key Rat Inc., Levity Entertainment, MGM, MPAC Hollywood Bureau, MuslimArc, National Lampoon, NBCUniversal, NBCU Launch, Netflix, The Opportunity Agenda, Pillars Fund, Powderkeg Media, RAINN, RespectAbility, Spotify, Starfish Accelerator, Topple Productions, TBS, truTV, Wise Entertainment and WV Entertainment.
OUR ARTISTS
YALL comedians overwhelmingly come from diverse communities often overlooked or typecast in Hollywood, including immigrants and refugees, women, queer and trans folks, people of color, and religious minorities. The Laughter Lab is an essential part of the comedy and social change landscapes. Over time it will become one of the most important places for major networks, platforms and distributors to find exciting new comedy content and creators, while connecting an expanding pool of non-profit and advocacy organizations with potent creative collaborators. Check out the growing list of YALL Community members by visiting our database.
