The virtue of uncomfortable laughter
Production company Critical Crop Top finds balance between comedy and social justice
In the first episode of “The Mother Load,” a woman orders multiple cupcakes, much to the shock of the man behind the counter. The camera pans and it becomes clear why he’s so taken aback — she’s actively breastfeeding her child while ordering. It’s the type of joke typical of Atlanta-based Critical Crop Top, the production company responsible for the web series: female-empowering, slightly uncomfortable, and very, very funny.
Critical Crop Top founders Hillary Heath, Nicole Kemper, and Sarah Alison Hodges started working together at Pinch n’ Ouch Theatre in 2013. A mutual love of comedy and desire to tell offbeat stories snowballed into female-driven web content and then an official uniting under the Critical Crop Top banner. Since its inception, the production company has put out two web series, multiple web skits, and a podcast. Their work has been screened at the Atlanta Independent Film Festival, Chattanooga Film Festival, Atlanta Shortsfest, and the Indie Film Loop Showcase, among others.
The goal is to spark uncomfortable laughter. Hillary Heath, one of the masterminds behind the project, says she considers comedy a common ground for people of all walks of life. It’s easier to get people talking about socially critical topics like the gender pay gap or Black Lives Matter if you preface the conversation with a joke.
“We find that laughing about the things that make us uncomfortable is the best way to begin to be comfortable with them,” Heath tells CL over email, “Discussing things like race, gender, and discrimination can be daunting; laughing about the foibles and difficulties of facing these issues helps to break down that dread.”
Critical Crop Top makes their first foray into live comedy with two upcoming stage shows. The 90-minute girl-power extravaganza combines sketch comedy, improvised songs, and a new episode of their “PYTs Web Show.” Aria Marra, Andy Fleming, Laura Meyers, Jasmine Waters, and Patrick Morgan join the three creators onstage. Award-winning slam poet and playwright Bria Brown provides poetry Sat., Oct. 22, while Emmy-nominated writer Jon Goode and poet performs Sat., Nov. 12.
It may be uncomfortable laughter, but you’ll still need to bring a change of underpants.
Critical Crop Top Live Sketch Show. $5-$10. 8 p.m. Sat., Oct. 22; $5-$10. 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 12. Village Theatre, 349 Decatur St. 678-701-6114. www.villagecomedy.com.