For more information on Laughingstock ‘08, email info@secaa.org.

Bruce Butler, director of the host group, Laff Co., says this year’s festival promises to showcase more of last year’s popular competition-style performance, as well as other comedy in more intimate settings. There will be “exponentially” more workshops, as well as possible changes of venues during the festival itself. The organizers of the event are very excited, as the city of Oxford, Mississippi has always had a strong history in support of the arts.

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.

Members of Einstein Meets Elvis, Lab Rats, Laff Co., Mission: IMPROVable, Off Kilter, Stage Monkeys, and The Wiseguys rock out with David Patton and Jen Caldwell after the 2006 Awards ceremony.

(From Left, front row) Michael Planchard, Joe Lei- ahh screw it. You’d get bored and I’d get a name wrong anyway. Just take my word for it.

For more info, check out The Festival Page