Southampton Cultural Center: Funny Kids Wanted

Are your kids funny? Now’s their chance to shine as Southampton Cultural Center (SCC) offers a second season of New York Hysterical Society’s comedy classes for kids ages 10 to 16.

The free class will be offered Sunday, February 7, from 1 to 3 p.m., with a workshop running Sundays, February 28 to May 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. All classes will be offered through Zoom.

New York Hysterical Society’s (NYHS) classes have earned accolades from kids, parents, educators and mental health professionals. The curriculum was created by Bernie Furshpan, NYHS marketing expert and founder/director, with help from educational program developer Lois Oliveira. Furshpan believes that humor has mental health benefits and can help kids cope with adversity and stress, and that a comedy skill set be useful in later in life with writing, making presentations and during interviews. Oliveira has stated that these classes build confidence and support emotional learning competencies and educational standards in writing, listening and speaking.

NYHS conducts classes with help from established comedians, who share their skills, talents, and experience with the kids. Each 10-week session culminates with a performance by the kids and professionals. The shows have been on Zoom, but when the pandemic is over, they can be performed on stage and broadcast on Zoom, Facebook, or other media. Graduates receive certificates of completion.

“As has been stressed in prestigious medical publications as well as the New York Times, Forbes, CNN and other national media, it is true, ‘Laughter is the best medicine,’” said SCC Executive Director Kirsten Lonnie. “This popular program is consistent with our dedication to offer unique quality programs to our diverse community.”

The cost for the 10-week workshop is $295. To register for the free class on Sunday, February 7, or the full workshop, visit metzoom.com/kids. Need based scholarships are available. For more information, call 631-287-4377 or visit scc-arts.org.