Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy to host Hometown Humor Takeover

The Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy invites the community to the “Hometown Humor Takeover” at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center on April 12-15. 
 
The free event will highlight how humor can improve health, well-being, and community connectedness, and will feature four nationally-recognized speakers. They will combine laughter with guidance on using humor to boost happiness, productivity, and well-being at work and in daily life. 
 
"We are thrilled to open our doors for an event that highlights the transformative power of laughter," Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy Executive Director Anne Pratt said. "The Hometown Humor Takeover isn’t just about the jokes. It is about equipping our community with humor to improve their physical and mental well-being. Red Skelton always believed in the healing power of a smile, and we are honored to continue that mission by showing how humor can truly increase our collective happiness and sense of purpose.” 
 
All events are open to the public and are free. 
 
Event Schedule (all times are eastern) 
 April 12, 2 p.m. – Bringing People Together, One Laugh at a Time, Mike Cundall Everyone enjoys a good joke or sharing a meme with a friend. We all enjoy laughing and laughing together. But humor and laughter do more than give us a chance to enjoy life, to enjoy one another. Humor and laughter are basic ways we build community. They have the power to bring us together, enrich our lives, but also show us the humanity that lies in each of us. When we share laughs, when we share humor, we're sharing some of the most basic and important aspects of ourselves. 
 
April 13, 6 p.m. – Dark Humor in Difficult Work, Melissa Mork When therapists, cops, nurses, and funeral directors start cracking jokes about body bags or brain trauma, it’s not because they’re heartless—it’s because their jobs are. In this refreshingly unfiltered talk, clinical and forensic psychologist (and Certified Humor Professional) Dr. Melissa Mork unpacks why the people doing society’s heaviest lifting often lean on the darkest humor. It’s not just about comic relief—it’s a psychological life raft. Equal parts science, storytelling, and “I probably shouldn’t laugh at this,” this talk explores how gallows humor helps us survive the unimaginable—without losing our humanity (or our lunch). 
 
April 14, 6 p.m. – Humor and Healing from the Patient’s Perspective, Brenda Elsagher Who knew a patient could teach healthcare professionals something they didn’t know they needed to learn? Exuding wit and energy, Brenda brings you into the moment of interaction with a patient in a way that makes them think differently. A rare look “behind the scenes,” with numerous and humorous insights for healthcare professionals, they will walk away assured they make a difference in the lives of their patients. Brenda’s stories illustrate the need for humor with patients and their families to use as a coping tool through the laughter and the tears. The great side effect is that the healthcare professionals benefit too making the work place a healthier place to be. 
 
April 15, 2 p.m. - Laughter: Rx for Classroom Survival, Joyce Saltman This seminar will deal with the physiological benefits of laughter, studies on the mind-body connection, and practical (plus some not-so-practical!) suggestions on ways to bring more laughter into your life. The lecture combines scientific data with comedy, in an effort to provide a mirth-­provoking educational experience. 
 
Learn more about the event and speakers at RedSkeltonMuseum.com