by The Upright Citizens Brigade theaters in Los Angeles and New York City will host two special comedy fundraisers next week to support Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with proceeds benefiting Callisto, a nonprofit creating technology that empowers survivors of sexual assault to make the reporting decisions that are right for them.
The shows, called “Enthusiastic Consent: A Comedy Show to Stop Perverts,” will be held Sunday, April 23, 2017, at UCB Sunset in Los Angeles with performances by Golden Globe winner Rachel Bloom, plus Chris Redd, Eliza Skinner, Beth Stelling, Jenny Yang, Bombardier, The New Deal and more; and Monday, April 24, 2017, at UCBEast in New York City with performances by Shannon O’Neill, Lindsay Calleran, Lydia Hensler, Jackie Jennings, Molly Gaebe, Maritza Montanez and Arti Gollapudi.
The UCB also will adopt Callisto’s online reporting tools for its training center by this summer.
“The Upright Citizens Brigade continually strives to provide a space where our members are free to develop their comedic voices without fear of sexual violence, harassment or retaliation. Our partnership with Callisto gives us a unique opportunity to support our students and performers while creating a more equitable culture in comedy,” said Marissa Tunis, UCB’s Director of Support & Counseling.
“We are thrilled to receive the support of Upright Citizens Brigade in our mission to empower survivors of sexual assault,” said Tracey Vitchers, Callisto’s Chief Development Officer. “UCB’s leadership will be critical in informing our efforts to reach more students, wherever they are, with the means to take control of their reporting and documentation experience.”
The UCB has taken a more active role, as other improv and sketch comedy schools/theaters have across the country, in combating sexual assault as more of its students and performers have begun reporting alleged criminals within their ranks. Stelling helped break the silence with her own confession at the end of 2015, followed by even more women in comedy coming forward last year at the UCB, iO and elsewhere.
