COFAC Theme

Lighten Up: Humor & Satire – Let’s take a serious look at the role of humor in our lives. What makes us laugh? What does laughter do to/for us? How does humor construct our individual and collective identity? When do we laugh at ourselves? What does it mean to laugh at others?

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About

Each year the College of Fine Arts and Communication focuses on a particular theme throughout the college. It encourages our college to speak as one voice through a multitude of experiences. Each discipline offers its own unique spin.

This year's theme, Humor & Satire, is meant to inspire meaningful work by our faculty and students. Events may examine the history of public humor, the implications of satire, humor and truth, what humor reveals, what it conceals, humor’s ability to unite, its ability to divide, what we find funny, or anything that explores humor in its many forms. Creativity and play in are encouraged. From concerts to podcasts, these thoughtful and provoking responses from our community will leave you wanting more.

Podcast Series

This semester, the theme podcast series will continue with another line up of incredible faculty and students. Participants are asked to explore the theme in relation to their specific discipline.

  1. How do you use humor and satire to inspire your work and the work of your students?
  2. Where do you see the intersection of humor and/or satire in the arts?
  3. How does humor construct our individual and collective identity?

FALL 2021

EPISODE 3: ELIZABETH LILLY

MFA candidate Elizabeth Lilly, is a children's book author-illustrator, animated filmmaker, and art educator. From her recently publish book Let Me Fix You a Plate,  Lilly tells us how humor inspired her illustrations and informs how her story is told. Transcript

EPISODE 2: COURTNEY KALBACKER

Courtney Kalbacker, professor of vocal studies in the Department of Music, tells us how Music for the Stage ensembles are embracing the theme through the upcoming performance, Let's Laugh: An Afternoon of Comic Opera. Later this spring, join Courtney for her comedic and fantastical production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. (Transcript)

EPISODE 1: DR. KALIMA YOUNG

Dr. Kalima Young, professor from the Department of Electronic Media and Film, tells us about the 2021 Fall Film Series: Invisible Architectures and how it intersects with humor and satire. In conversation with the COFAC CoLab theme, this year’s film series explores the concept of truth and reconciliation across multiple cinematic genres. (Transcript)