Do you know that feeling when something normal suddenly seems strange?
I have one for you. I think about this often when performing my assembly shows in elementary schools.
Have you ever thought about why we laugh? If aliens were to visit our planet, they’d surely wonder why humans sometimes make strange noises, shake and sometimes even cry. But the strangest thing for them would be that we actually seek out this feeling.
We smile broadly, open our mouths and make loud noises until our sides hurt. Some people make interesting noises when they laugh. I’ve even come across people who, instead of laughing, simply announce, “That’s funny!” Others nod and point at their friends. People are strange.
Laughing is a bizarre thing that we do!
But it’s also amazing. As an educational performer in elementary schools, hearing laughter is like sugar for me.
Beyond that, I’m much more interested in why people laugh. Here’s my theory: we laugh when there’s an unexpected twist — when the punchline comes just right. But verbal comedy is something that elementary-age children don’t appreciate. They think knock-knock jokes are comedy. But they aren’t. Children need visual humor. They love slapstick. Even preschoolers laugh at legitimate mishaps, such as a performer accidentally dropping a prop or tripping on stage. Children like funny props: Rubber pickles, giant underpants and gadgets that misbehave. They also laugh automatically when they’re surprised. But some laughter isn’t necessarily good. Laughter can hide embarrassment, fear, humiliation or worry. That’s not the kind of laughter we seek from our audiences and at Scheer Genius Assembly Shows we promise to never embarrass of humiliate anyone for a cheap laugh. All of our shows feature tons of audience participation, sometimes getting as many as 17 kids on stage in a 45 minute school program.
And science tells us that laughter reduces stress, strengthens the immune system and brings people together through shared joy. However, using laughter in a live school show is a tricky business. When children laugh, they can be distracted from the message, and laughter can lead to kids getting out of control. The best assembly and school show performers know this and use comedy strategically.
They say laughter is the best medicine — but it’s also a way to grab attention. A funny bit or gag paves the way. Children expect more and eagerly await the next gag. Laughter is good for you because it releases endorphins. It’s the best drug there is. (Ok, apart from caffeine — no one replaces my coffee with a “why did the chicken cross the road” joke).
Enjoy the unexpected twists that make you laugh out loud. It’s good for you. And if you’re looking for a school show for your elementary school that won’t only delight the children but also the teachers with comedy, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our 12 different school shows and I can guarantee we’ll “bring the funny” too.