Yes, And… Laughter Lab Presents: YALLFest @ Asylum NYC 123 E 24th Street April 17-19th, 2024

DYLAN ADLER, DINA HASHEM, CHRIS GETHARD, KELLY BACHMAN, KENICE MOBLEY, JEFF HILLER, SAM MORRISON, VICO ORTIZ AND MORE!

New York, NY - March 18, 2024 - Yes, And… Laughter Lab, the premier incubator for diverse, world-changing comedy talent, is thrilled to announce the inaugural YALLFest, promising an unforgettable showcase of laughter, creativity, and the power to change the outdated status quo when the whole world feels like it’s on fire. Taking place from April 17th to April 19th, 2024, the festival promises the convergence of social justice and comedy Yes, And…Laughter Lab is known for, in creators, content and audience, making it the only festival of its kind. With nearly 200 comedians in the YALL community, cultivated over the past five years, Yes, And… Laughter Lab boasts a track record of fostering and amplifying diverse comedic voices.

The festival kicks off on Wednesday, April 17th with a captivating panel discussion featuring Co-Founder of Yes, And…Laughter Lab Caty Borum (also the author of The Revolution Will Be Hilarious: Comedy for Social Change and Civic Power, listed as in Vulture's Top Comedy Books of 2023) with Jesse David Fox, Senior Editor for Comedy at Vulture. This enlightening conversation will delve into the intricacies of comedy, diversity, and social impact, followed by an engaging Q&A session. Caty’s insights into the power of humor to challenge societal norms and spark meaningful dialogue will set the stage for a series of exciting events that highlight the diverse voices shaping the comedy landscape.

Following the panel, audiences will be treated to the acclaimed featured show "Muslim Girls DTF," showcasing the talents of Aizzah Fatima, Atheer Yacoub, Dina Hashem, and Amamah Sardar. The creators will also participate in a Q&A session, providing insights into their comedic process and cultural influences.

Afterward, attendees can unwind and mingle at the lively after-party hangout, complete with cocktails and camaraderie.

The comedy extravaganza will feature the comedic stylings of comedy stalwarts Chris Gethard, Dylan Adler, Kelly Bachman, Kenice Mobley, and Sam Morrison. The festival continues with more pitch showcases, table reads, and featured shows, including "Go Touch Grass" and "Solo Shows Preview." Throughout the festival, attendees can also enjoy screenings of comedic films and web series in the lounge, including These Thems, from Our Flag Means Death’s Vico Ortiz and comedian Gretchen Wylder.

Today, diverse comedy writers and performers want to create hilarious comedy that reveals their lived experiences, addresses injustice, and brings people together to connect about urgent topics like racial justice, gender equity, climate change, and Islamophobia. They want their comedy to make it in Hollywood while collaborating with philanthropists, social movements, and social justice organizations to increase its impact. And yet, until recently, there was no model to elevate and support them.

The Yes And… Laughter Lab (YALL) is a competitive incubation lab, pitch program, and showcase that lifts up the best comedy writers and performers creating new comedy about topics that matter, with a focus on BIPOC, immigrant, Muslim, LGBTQ, and women creators. Designed to be one of the most important places for networks, platforms, and distributors to find exciting new comedy content and creators, Laughter Lab connects an expanding pool of non-profit and advocacy organizations with innovative creative partners to ignite social change.

“This festival serves as a testament to our commitment to empowering comedians from marginalized backgrounds and bridging the gap between entertainment, philanthropy, and social justice,” said Mik Moore and Caty Borum, co-founders of Yes, And… Laughter Lab. "This festival celebrates the power of comedy to unite, inspire, and entertain, and we can't wait to share it with audiences."

YALLfest is proudly sponsored by industry titans Comedy Central and NBCU LAUNCH, underscoring the significance and impact of our mission. Additionally, the Yes, And… Laughter Lab is generously supported by esteemed organizations such as the Doris Duke Foundation’s Building Bridges Program, MacArthur Foundation, Pop Culture Collaborative, Open Society Foundations, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Tickets for the festival are on sale now. For more information and updates, visit the Yes, And… Laughter Lab website . About Yes, And… Laughter Lab: Yes, And… Laughter Lab is a competitive incubation lab, pitch program and showcase that uplifts the best comedy writers and performers creating new comedy about topics that matter, with a focus on BIPOC, immigrant, Muslim, LGBTQ, and women creators. Follow Yes, And… Laughter Lab on Twitter and Instagram at @YALLcomedy.

For media inquiries, interviews, or press materials, please contact: Caty Borum borum@american.edu Mik Moore mik@mooreandassociates.co Heidi Vanderlee heidi@positivejampr.com Debbie Pressman debbie@positivejampr.com

123 E 24th St, New York, NY, 10010 Map
203-343-7162