Assistant Professor of Theatre Practice in Comedy Judith Shelton. Photo courtesy of Judith Shelton.
In this episode of Podcast@SDA, Associate Dean Oliver Mayer welcomes Professor Judith Shelton, Assistant Professor of Theatre Practice, whose focus is on comedy, stand-up, and improvisation.
Shelton’s path from discovering the power of laughter as a young person to becoming a beloved instructor reveals an artist with an unwavering belief in comedy’s ability to transform. Crediting her boarding school nuns with nurturing both her humor and her sense of structure, Shelton discusses how she helps students “fall in love with themselves” by mining their imperfections for authentic comedy.
Throughout the conversation, Shelton demonstrates the heart-centered teaching that defines her approach: encouraging students from across the university—performers, engineers, and everyone in between—to embrace failure, maintain boundaries while exploring vulnerability, and transform life’s challenges into material for both “fun and profit.”
Listen to the entire episode.