SECAA is proud to announce its 2007 Charity Event, Laughingstock, an alliance-wide coordination of individual troupe shows for charity! From March 30-April 30, improv troupes across the southeast will perform in shows to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital! Our Press Release Information:

There are many funny people living in the south. Thanks to a growing art alliance, they’re able to not only trade notes and spread good cheer; they’re also able to help raise money for a worthy cause.

The Southeastern Comedy Arts Alliance, a brotherhood of more than fifteen comedy troupes throughout the region, was formed in the summer of 2006. Its goal, according to founder and executive officer James Comans, is to facilitate and enhance communication, publicity, fellowship, and education for its members.

In September, the group held its first Comedy Arts Festival at the MSU campus. Over 300 people attended workshops, comedy showcases and two friendly competitions, including a tournament-style “comedy cage match” and the first ever “Egg Bowl of comedy,” an epic face-off between the improv troupes of Starkville and Oxford.

Now the quickly growing group has set its eyes on raising money for Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Comedy and charity have always gone hand in hand,” said SECAA chairman Brad Bishop, organizer of this special month-long event, “and because we are able to reach so many areas all at once, pooling our resources and appealing to a much broader audience, we think we’ll be able to do some good while doing what we all enjoy.”

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is one of the most respected facilities of its kind in the world. It is well known as the place where doctors across the world send their toughest cases and most vulnerable patients. It has long had a policy that no one pays for treatment beyond what is covered by insurance, and those without insurance are never asked to pay. Donations such as the ones provided by this comedy event make this possible.