20 Apr Why You Should Book College Comedians for Campus Events

Book a Comedian for a College Event Now

College is one of the best times of our lives. Campus life gives us our first taste of real freedom—a chance to express ourselves and be heard. It’s a time for intellectual and personal stimulation. With so much going on, it can be difficult for campus events to break through all the noise.

However, college comedians can engage students better than almost any other event on campus. Why? College students crave novelty. They want new experiences, and they want to cut loose. And there’s almost nothing more relaxing than laughing.

To wit, it’s been reported that the physiological and psychological effects of laughter can last for as long as forty-five minutes.

Besides the obvious outcome (laughing), comedy can also be thought-provoking and can even change the course of history and politics. When the topic of censorship comes up, people still talk about George Carlin’s list of words you can’t say on TV. Chevy Chase’s lampooning of Gerald Ford as a bumbling Mr. Magoo humanized the president (who was actually a gifted athlete). Dana Carvey’s impression of George H. W. Bush was so famous that people thought Bush actually said the line, “Not gonna do it. Wouldn’t be prudent at this juncture.”

And most college students are nothing if not politically aware and opinionated. They are tapped into the sociopolitical zeitgeist and can appreciate comedians who are tapped in as well.

However, you don’t need to book a college comedian with political or racy material. Our extensive roster of comedians runs the gamut from blue (contains profanity/is off-color) to Christian.

Playing to the Crowd

Where some (very famous) comedians get it wrong is thinking college students don’t enjoy stand-up comedy or comedy writ large. This couldn’t be further from the truth. What is true is that students crave comedy that plays to their intelligence.

College students are not inherently hostile to comedy. They want to laugh like every other human being. This point bears repeating: almost every human being wants to laugh, even if not all of us have a sense of humor—or if our sense of humor is suspect.

College students want humor that plays to their intelligence.

You may be asking, “Okay, but what if I hire a comedian and the students get outraged? What if they’re positively up in arms, calling for heads to roll, pitchforks lit, and social media pages aflame with vitriol?”

Well, there’s an easy solution to that. You don’t hire a college comedian known for risqué humor. A comedian who bills themselves as “for all ages”—you can be pretty sure they’re not going to tackle taboo subjects. Comedians don’t get paid to pull fast ones on an audience. If anyone knows branding, it’s comedians. They don’t want to offend an audience for the thrill of it. That’s bad business.

Brian Regan isn’t going to spark outrage. He’s funny in a salt-of-the-earth kind of way, yet it doesn’t feel like he’s talking down to you. He doesn’t sprinkle (or douse) his act with swear words. His comedy is more of the “aw-shucks” self-deprecation variety—more of a funny uncle than a racist grandparent. He lacks the acid of Carlin, the anger of Bill Hicks, and the off-color personification that is Jim Norton.

But risqué humor can lead to bigger laughs, right?

Sometimes, sure. But it also carries the risk of alienating and offending. When we think about it, we know we’d rather hang with the friend who’s a bit goofy but always makes us laugh. The angry or offensive friend who makes us laugh fitfully? We’ll take that person in small doses.

Sometimes, fun college events aren’t about being lectured to or bearing witness to someone’s demons. It’s that one word: fun. People should be having fun.

Our Comedians Offer Something for Everyone

As Steve Miller sang in “True Fine Love,” “We’ll have a boy for you; we’ll have a girl for me.” One way to read this is that there’s someone for everyone. Humor is the same way. The movie Fargo is considered a comedy—a dark comedy for sure (emphasis on dark), but a comedy nonetheless. It’s also a great film with fully realized characters and a terrific score. However, despite its substantial cinematic merits and its pitch-black humor, it’s not the comedy you want to watch as a pick-me-up. Dumb and Dumber, however, you could put on any night of the week and enjoy. In short, even if you like the humor, there are some comedies you can watch whenever, and there are some comedies you have to be “in the mood for.”

While there’s evidence that dark humor is a sign of intelligence and college students like humor that plays to their smarts, dark humor isn’t for everyone.

Similarly, we have a comedian for any type of college event or sense of humor you’re looking for. If you’re in the mood for filter-free and shocking, we have someone for you. But maybe you’re wary of causing offense.

Many of our comedians offer a clean alternative to the more caustic acts. The humor can be quirky, clever, or observational.

If you want envelope-pushing, we have Jessimae Peluso (who’ll make you rethink the term “dad jokes”). If you want to play it safe for all ages, Glen Tickle is low-key yet clever.

Take some of the stress out of campus event planning by booking a comedian with The Comedian Company.

The Social Connection

We’ve covered how humor is good for college students’ mental health and how there’s comedy out there for everyone. But maybe you’re still wondering why you should book a comedian. There are plenty of events for college students where they can actually participate. From open-mic nights to trivia nights, there are plenty of university events where the students are more active participants.

Stand-up comedy may lack the friendly competition of trivia nights and the spotlight of open-mic nights, but the truth is, there is nothing like stand-up. When you’re sharing a laugh with a roomful of people, you’re part of something. There is a palpable energy that you don’t get with other events. You are one with the group, but the expectations are low. The comedian isn’t going to seriously shame you for not laughing. Also, students are participating all day with college life. Sometimes it can be nice to sit back and let a professional entertain you.

Notable Occasions

Special occasions, such as orientation, homecoming, or even rush week, call for a special event. Deviating from the everyday is what gives life its spice. Seeing a comedian is easy to get excited about. A comedian may have a point to make, but their primary objective is to make the audience laugh. Another way to look at it is that a comedian aspires to make the audience happy.

If you want to bond with old classmates or break the ice with new ones, you can’t go wrong with a performer whose job is to help you enjoy yourself.

Accessibility

Unlike other events that require complex setups, comedy shows are relatively simple to organize and tend to be more affordable. Comedians can perform in various venues, from dining halls to auditoriums.

Comedy acts are also inexpensive to produce. They really only need a microphone and a light—maybe a stool with a bottle of water. Unlike musical acts, comedians almost always fly solo, so you’re paying fewer people.

The price? It can vary dramatically. Established acts may be more expensive, but they come with built-in brand recognition. However, up-and-coming comedians are often much more affordable. But don’t let their affordability fool you; no one tries harder than a hungry comedian. They have something to prove and can’t rely on established routines or familiar bits. They may not have famous names, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less funny. Unlike some professions, this is their dream job, so they take it seriously. No matter how easy some make it look. In short, their quality is not defined by their expense.

If you want something authentically entertaining while staying within a tight budget, booking a comedian is an affordable and popular choice.

Promotion That Works Both Ways

Comedians, by dint of their profession, have to be self-promoters. They frequently update their social media to showcase new bits and post about their upcoming shows. Every bit of content they put out helps create buzz for their brand. And comedians post the best kind of content: the kind that makes you laugh.

It’s a self-evident truth that comedy is great for social media. Who among us hasn’t accidentally killed a few hours on social media watching something funny?

This self-promotion makes it easier for you. Your future entertainer is constantly trying to engage audiences and build interest in their upcoming show(s). Moreover, their presence brings positive attention to your university. Just like attending a concert, students are inclined to share their experiences at a stand-up show on social media. Thus, hiring a comedian offers mutual promotional benefits.

To hire a comedian for your next high school event, fill out this form. Or call our office at (586) 218-8745 or email us at info@comediancompany.com.