Community Days After Dark: Early Female Comedians of Stage and Film

Laughing Ladies: Legendary Women of American Comedy with Jo Ann Tufo
Early Female Comedians of Stage and Film

“Early Female Comedians of Stage and Film” explores the lives and contributions of some of the earliest stars of screen and stage including Sophie Tucker, Louise Dresser, and Mae West. The program also discusses the birth of comedy and its evolution to vaudeville. silent film and the early “talkies.”

Jo Ann Tufo is a historian, writer, lecturer, and performer who has over 30 years of experience. Her realistic and haunting portrayals of various historic figures have delighted audiences for more than three decades in theaters, schools, and auditoriums all over the United States.

Jo Ann has also taught at Coastal Carolina University/ OLLI Program since 2012 focusing on a variety of subjects, including the Colonial, Civil War, World War I, World War II, and Vietnam eras. Many of her programs focus on the noteworthy contributions of women.

Support for this program has been graciously provided by The Albert and Lucille Delighter and Marcella Winston Foundation, a Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.