Reflecting on 2024
Another tradition of reflection continues. So much can happen in a year, and this is an annual reminder to celebrate what I achieved over the year.
Seattle Improv Comedy
2024 was a way for me to get rooted in the Seattle improv comedy scene. I auditioned and was cast at Bandit Theaterand CSz Seattle.
New Cast for CSz Seattle
That has led to teaching opportunities at Bandit and to ending the year with a performance on New Year's Eve at CSz Seattle.
First Class taught at Bandit Theater
Presenting Humor Research
Earlier in the year, I had an opportunity to present my Master's dissertation research on, "Stand-Up Comedy as an Applied Theatre Practice: One Black Woman's Autoethnographical Perspective" at the Association For Applied And Therapeutic Humor 2024 AATH Annual Conference & Humor Academy in Denver, CO.
Poster Presentation at AATH Conference on masters Dissertation Research
My research took place in London, UK 5 years ago as part of my MA Applied Theatre programme at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, and was how I first came across #aath.
Presenting was a full-circle moment. Two years ago I delivered the performative text used in my research during an open mic at an AATH conference which led to some awkward moments due to the content being blue aka loads of swearing, talking about sex, and referring to my fanny pack.
Through this presentation, I shared how my research demonstrates that stand-up comedy is an outlet for me to use humor to process my identity as a Black woman. I am so grateful for the privilege to present and continue to give a voice to my experiences.
Teaching Improv Workshop to Teachers
While in Denver, I taught a sold-out workshop to improv teachers at Rise Comedy, "Oops,...Ouch: Responding to Unexpected Moments of Harm."
Mary After Delivering a Workshop to Rise Comedy Improv Teachers
Connecting in Affinity
I attended Rise Comedy's weekly jam and performed with District 9, a BIPOC improv troupe, and felt right at home.
Mary with District 9 Before Rise Comedy Weekly Jam
At the start of the year, I reunited with The Collective, an all-Black Improv troupe I founded in 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA, and performed a set at Arcade Comedy Theater.
With members of The Collective
A few more milestones...
Cast in my first commercial with Oregon Lottery, produced by Pollinate, and directed by Josh Lunden.
Celebrating my 10-year improversary, having taken my first improv class and my first improv show ten years ago!
Achieving an improv comedy career milestone of reaching my 200th improv show in 2024
Guest performed in Baltimore, MD with Bloack Party and Girl Talk
Celebrating my Mom's retirement
Visited Hawaii New Mexico for the first time
Image from Oregon Lottery Commercial
Want to learn more about what 2024 looked like? View it here: https://www.marycparker.com/2024