Stuck Between a Rock and a Funny Place: An Examination of Funny Women Performing Gender and Standup Comedy

• In Event: Top Four Papers in Ethnography

Abstract

More and more, women are entering the realm of standup comedy. However, there are still naysayers who believe that woman should not, or cannot, be funny. Many female comedians negotiate their identity onstage, often struggling to determine whether or not to validate or debunk traditional gender roles among male-dominated standup comedy. Through a scholarly voice, in combination with a more humorous one, this paper attempts to bridge the gap between gendered and humorous identities.

Author

• Lacy Lowrey, San Diego State University