{"id":91361,"date":"2023-06-14T13:36:15","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T17:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/?p=91361"},"modified":"2024-01-17T13:55:31","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T18:55:31","slug":"comedians-with-disabilities-act-change-attitudes-through-laughter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/comedians-with-disabilities-act-change-attitudes-through-laughter\/","title":{"rendered":"Comedians with Disabilities Act Change Attitudes Through Laughter"},"content":{"rendered":"

OAKLAND, Calif. and BUTTE, Mont., June 14, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The founders and contributors of the Comedians with Disabilities Act (CWDA) are about to hit the road for its wildly popular show to span three states: Montana, Oregon and California. They\u2019re celebrating Disability Pride month in July, which also happens to coincide with the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).<\/p>\n

\"Nina
Image Caption: Nina G and Comedians with Disabilities Act event poster.<\/em><\/p>\n

The various venues that will host the comedy troupe are thrilled to have them on the stage. One Montana venue in Butte even did a little renovation to accommodate the act by modifying its restroom to ensure accessibility \u2013 and laughter \u2013 for all.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks to the Elk Lodge for pulling through,\u201d Nina G,\u2019 says. \u201cThey saw the need to make this event and others they will have inclusive to everyone. CWDA is proud to be part of this change!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Comedians with Disabilities Act (CWDA) is a fabulous collection of comedians with disabilities, both seen and unseen, who share their humor and personal experiences. Overall, the tour is designed to bring authentic and traditionally unheard voices to the forefront.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the brainchild of comedian, Michael O\u2019Connell, who started the group in 2010, and was later joined by Steve Danner and Nina G. In 2016, O\u2019Connell passed away – but the show lives on and spotlights a variety of disabled and outrageously funny comedians. The upcoming lineup of shows includes disability representation from diverse perspectives and intersections. Every show will feature a different line up.<\/p>\n

And, it\u2019s not the first time this group has taken the show on the road. In October 2022, for Disability Awareness month, 17 comedians performed four shows for hundreds of people throughout Northern California. Material covered everything from stuttering and dyslexia to dwarfism, addiction recovery, anxiety, blindness and more.<\/p>\n

Michael Beers, who will headline the California and Montana shows, was born and raised in Montana and is a comedy veteran of 23 years. He\u2019s been a disability advocate for nearly 20 years and says that comedy is an important vehicle to changing attitudes about disability.<\/p>\n

\u201cLaughter is the shortest distance between two people,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd, comedy is a beautiful way to educate people without disabilities. When we laugh together we can find our commonalities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beers won the Norman G. Brooks Comedy Competition at the Hollywood Improv in 2005. He was also the previous winner of Funny Fest (Calgary Comedy Festival) and has opened for comedians like Gilbert Gottfried. He is a sought-after keynote speaker on topics like humor, disability advocacy, education and community building.<\/p>\n

Author and disability advocate Nina G, will headline the Portland, OR show. She\u2019s the author of multiple books and most recently had her first solo comedy album debut at number one on the iTunes and Amazon comedy charts. Her special will be out later this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of talk about representation for disabled actors, writers and artists, yet the images we see on TV and film are sparse. It\u2019s important that comedy producers spotlight disabled comedians,\u201d she says. \u201cI hope they\u2019ll see that we\u2019re not only hilarious, but can sell out a show too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her memoir, \u201cStutterer Interrupted: The Comedian Who Almost Didn\u2019t Happen,\u201d was released to critical acclaim in 2019 and in February 2022, she launched and another book, co-authored by OJ Patterson, \u201cBay Area Stand-Up Comedy: A Humorous History.\u201d She\u2019s performed all over the U.S. and appeared on many daytime TV talk shows, NPR broadcasts and podcasts.<\/p>\n

Mean Dave, a favorite in the San Francisco Bay Area, will host several shows. Dave is in his eighth year of addiction recovery, which he ingeniously weaves into his humor. He\u2019s opened for many notable comedians like Josh Blue, Big Jay Oakerson, and Jay Mohr, and has performed at colleges across the U.S.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a lot of people know that being a recovering addict is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Danner, who is a little person, says, \u201cWe\u2019re all comedians first. But, we also want to send a strong message that, even with a disability, we can reach our goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

His comedy career began as an audience member at a comedy club. The comedian on stage started riffing with him. After Danner showcased his own riffing skills, the comic approached Danner after the show and suggested he give comedy a try. That soon launched a career as a comedian and producer. He\u2019s opened for many headliners such as \u201cLast Comic Standing\u201d winner, Felipe Esparza.<\/p>\n

These four comedians will be joined by Jade Theriault, Dan Smith, Adam Keys, Willie Travis, Milt Abel, Loren Kraut and others. Each comedian shares their personal disability experiences and brand of humor to make audiences laugh in each of these three states.<\/p>\n

The tour schedule is: <\/strong><\/p>\n