City College English professor Farrell J. Foreman knows a little something about how laughter can shorten the metaphorical divide that separates us as people.

Not only does Foreman use humor to instantly connect on a very “real” level in class, but he believes that humor can work to heal invisible divides between people caused by everyday events.

Foreman exclaims “Construction Madness!” when describing one of his motivations for organizing the Spring Laugh Convention, a free-to-the-public comedy event being held April 7 in the Saville Theatre.

“With all that is going on on this campus, I think everybody needs a good laugh,”Foreman adds.

The Laugh Convention, a World Cultures event, is also sponsored by Foreman’s own Bear Arts Foundation, which he runs with his wife, Sandra.

Foreman and his wife both have Masters of Fine Arts degrees from UCSD and both serve on the board of the Bear Arts Organization. The mission of this national cross-cultural arts service is to encourage, nurture, and strengthen the creation of new productions in the theatre by artists of color.

The event will feature students from his 101 classes performing 10-minute comedic plays as well as improv from a SDSU improv troupe and skits from UCSD students.

Foreman’s students will be tackling short-form comedic plays with varied subject matters. These range from the trials and tribulations of two homeless women to a person being caught up in an everlasting customer service phone queue.

Also featured is local playwright Thelma Decastro’s “Center of Gravity”, which features students who flunk a yoga class.

Foreman, who has written nearly a dozen one and two-act plays himself, says that he “loves short-form plays” and is enthusiastic about showcasing the writing and comedic talents of his past and present students.

Foreman and his wife both have Masters of Fine Arts degrees from UCSD and both serve on the board of the Bear Arts Organization. The mission of this national cross-cultural arts service is to encourage, nurture, and strengthen the creation of productions of new work in the theatre by artists of color.

The 2011 Spring Laugh Convention will be held Thursday April 7 at the Saville Theatre at 9:35 a.m. It is free and open to the public.

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SMALL INFO GRAPHIC ?
2011 Spring Laugh Convention at the Saville Theatre
Thursday April 7th from 9:35-11:15 a.m.
Free to ALL!
Featuring City College, SDSU and UCSD students performing short-form comedic plays, improv and even a professional boxer doing pantomime!