EVENT PREVIEW
Aurora Comedy Nights, “Dad’s Does the Burbs,” Friday and Saturday. Two shows each night at 7:15 and 9:15 p.m. Tickets $10.
Stand-Up Comedy Nights. May 16-17. Two shows each night at 7:15 and 9:15 p.m. Tickets $18.
Aurora Theatre, 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville. (Parking available at 153 Crogan St.) 678-226-6222, www.auroratheatre.com.
If you’ve never tried a Comedy Night at Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville — or if you have but can’t get enough — you’ll have more chances to laugh with two weekends of events.
This weekend brings a seasoned improv group mixing it up with some student performers. Next weekend, a diverse group of comedians will share their view of the world with audiences.
“We have a big commitment that our community has a lot of unique events to choose from,” said Ann-Carol Pence, associate producer and co-founder of the 18-year-old Aurora Theatre.
At Aurora Comedy Night this weekend, members of Atlanta improv group Dad’s Garage will have their improv show “Dad’s Does the Burbs.”
Founded in 1995, Dad’s Garage performs weekly at 7 Stages Theatre in Little Five Points, but it is bringing a special improv show to Lawrenceville. Founding member Chris Blair along with Tara Ochs and assistant art director Matt Horgan are set to perform a slew of funny skits with Aurora’s student apprentices.
Pence said the Aurora Theatre’s apprentice program takes recent college graduates and gives them additional theater training to “give them a competitive edge once they get out into the industry.”
“We enjoy performing with the apprentices. We help them grow and we all improve,” Horgan said.
The second weekend of Aurora Comedy Nights, May 16-17, is one of heavy-hitter stand-up comedians. It’s a weekend recommended for ages 21 and up: The comedians are uncensored, and cocktails from the cash bar will be in hand.
Columbus native and University of Georgia graduate Mia Jackson headlines the show. Known for energetic style and quick wit, Jackson has recently opened for Dave Chappelle and Amy Schumer.
She received her UGA degree in speech communications but always had a passion for stand-up comedy.
“I was always fascinated with stand-up since middle school. I loved telling jokes, but I didn’t know I could do it as a job,” Jackson said.
Inspired by comedian Chris Rock, Jackson began performing stand-up while in college, and she hasn’t looked back since.
“I like to sit back and see when other people think what I think is funny, they connect with it. I love it!” Jackson said.
Along with Jackson, the Aurora brings a diverse group of comedians to Comedy Nights including Viet Huynh, who started his stand-up career in Atlanta and pokes fun at being an Asian-American growing up in the South. Chelcie Rice let his friend talk him into stand-up comedy but has since headlined the Out of Bounds Comedy Festival in Austin, Texas. As a Type 1 diabetic, Rice also is an advocate for diabetes research and prevention.
The night is hosted by Katie Causey, a UGA graduate, Aurora Theatre Apprentice Company alumna and member of multiple improv groups in Athens and Atlanta.
Jackson applauds the Aurora Theatre’s nights dedicated to comedy for giving her and her friends the platform to perform years ago during Aurora’s Funny Fridays, which were renamed Aurora’s Comedy Nights as offerings expanded.
“Comedy is just one of those things that brings diversity,” Pence said. “It’s the best unifier of bringing different people together.”
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