STAND-UP COMEDIANS TO TAKE CENTER STAGE IN HUMOR COURSE

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., July 29 -- Nationally known stand-up
comedians will become teachers in an unusual ÒDiversity and American
HumorÓ course Aug. 3-6 at the University of Virginia.
	The veteran comedians, diverse in race and backgrounds, will
discuss the origins of their humor and how their work contributes to
an ÒAmerican sense of humor.Ó
	Phil Nee, a New York-born Chinese-American; Beverly Mickins,
an African-American; and Jane Stroll, a Jewish-American, will join
U.Va. faculty in describing how folk tales, hardships and a search
for social identity have contributed to a national sense of humor.
	During the seminar sponsored by U.Va.Õs Division of
Continuing Education, historians also will trace American humor as
entertainment -- from blackface minstrels to vaudeville, radio,
film, television and the American art form of stand-up comedy.
Leading discussions will be Eric Lott, author of the award-winning
book, ÒLove & Theft: Blackface Minstrelsy and the American Working
Class,Ó and Melvyn Patrick Ely, author of ÒThe Adventures of Amos
ÔnÕ Andy:  A Social History of An American Phenomenon.Ó
	The course will also include discussions led by Paul
Herzich, proprietor of Comedy U, a Greenwich Village night club, and
an expert on Jewish stand-up comedy.
	The four-day program will feature a public evening
performance (Aug. 4) in which the three comedians will conduct their
stand-up acts at a local theater and a session (Aug. 5) in which
participants can experiment with their own joke-telling styles.
	ÒBecause American humor is a composite of our diverse
population, the course addresses some serious problems in our
society,Ó said Marilyn Maughan, who created the offering.
	She believes the course is unusual not only because it takes
a light-hearted subject seriously, but because it will also give
participants an inside look at comedians.
	ÒIn addition to examining the origins, history and
psychology of humor, participants will observe Ôthe real sideÕ of
American comedy during the live performance,Ó said Maughan, director
of U.Va.Õs global studies program for teachers.
	She noted that about 30 educators, ranging from high school-
to college-level, will attend the program.  The instructors teach a
variety of subjects ranging from Jewish studies to history of ethnic
groups in America.
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July 28, 1995
	FOR MORE INFORMATION on the course, contact Maughan at (804)
982-5276.  Phil Nee can be reached between 10 a.m. and noon at (212)
254-5917; Beverly Mickins and Jane Stroll can be contacted July
31-Aug. 3 at (212) 929-1327.  A program schedule is enclosed.