Curve Magazine calls Karen Williams "...a laugh riot!" The Sydney Morning Herald proclaims that Karen Williams is "ferociously funny, with perfect pace, timing and structure." Karen is star of "I Need A Snack!” Filmed live to a sold-out audience at Hollywood's Knitting Factory, it is shown regularly on LOGO TV. Karen is a comic master, gifted actor, talented writer, and inspirational lecturer, whose HaHA Institute attracts clients from the public and private sectors. Armed with her "healing with humor" philosophy, Karen is a modern-day alchemist, whose audiences revel in her cathartic laughter, and whose peers consider her a comic's comic!
My experience with Karen Williams was terrific from start to finish. I was a novice at hiring an entertainer - Karen was very helpful in explaining the process and very reasonable in our negotiations. Her travel to our somewhat remote location came on the heels of twin blizzards that dumped 60" of snow in a place known for its 'mild' winters-Despite the snow and some last-minute adjustments in travel arrangements, Karen got to our venue, gave an utterly spectacular performance, then headed out the next morning - back through the same frozen landscape - to get to an evening performance a thousand miles away. Does she deliver the goods? Yes, indeed. Our audience loved her!
"Speak up! Speak out! Laugh often!" this slogan is true about Karen Williams. She addresses serious issues with a comic twist. She is a powerful entertainer! I have seen her numerous times at fundraisers, on cruises and land based vacations all around the world.
Price Range: $2500 - 9500
Gig Length: 30 - 90 minutes
Languages: English
Curve Magazine calls Karen Williams "...a laugh riot!" The Sydney Morning Herald proclaims that Karen Williams is "ferociously funny, with perfect pace, timing and structure."
Karen Williams is the hottest comedy star on the horizon -- with an awesome personality, stunning good looks, and a sterling reputation for delivering laughs each and every time!
Whoopi Goldberg says Karen is one of the funniest comics she knows and invited her to audition for her television show! Another colleague says of Karen, "I wouldn't miss her act for anything. She brings insightful laughter. Humor is very important, to laugh at ourselves and other things. It's very healing."
Karen is a comic craftmaster and an inspirational speaker. Armed with her "healing with humor" philosophy, Karen is a modern-day alchemist, whose audiences revel in her cathartic laughter, and whose peers consider her a comic's comic!
As founder of HaHA Institute ((link hidden)), Karen attracts clients from the public and private sectors, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, health agencies, pride events, and youth groups.
Karen Williams graduated summa cum laude from Cleveland State University with a personally-designed major in "Humor and Healing." Earning a Master of Education degree from CSU's Adult Learning & Development program, Karen Williams, M.Ed, taught Stand-Up Comedy in the Dramatic Arts department of Cleveland State University.
KAREN WILLIAMS
MOTIVATIONAL HUMORIST
GERONTOLOGIST / COMIC / EMCEE
(phone number hidden)
Curve Magazine calls Karen Williams "...a laugh riot!" The Sydney Morning Herald proclaims that Karen Williams is "ferociously funny, with perfect pace, timing and structure."
Karen is known for her quick repartee, insightful commentary, audience rapport, and sheer likeability! She is a comic craft master and exceptional emcee, a multitalented writer, and an inspirational speaker, whose HaHA Institute attracts clients from the public and private sectors. Armed with her "healing with humor" philosophy, Karen is a modern-day alchemist and motivational humorist, whose audiences revel in her cathartic laughter and whose peers consider her a comic's comic!
As a solo entertainer, Karen Williams delights fan-filled audiences from San Francisco to South Beach to Sydney... where she performed twenty shows at the Belvoir Street Theatre during her one month stay in Australia. An international comic favorite -- who showcased her talents at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal several times -- Karen Williams is a star entertainer with Olivia Cruises and Resorts since 1990, where she's garnered over 200 laugh-filled trips around the globe!
Karen is a featured comic in "We're Funny That Way," the hilarious, internationally-acclaimed film filmed at Buddies in Bad Times in Toronto and shown regularly on HBO; as well as a nominee for the 1999 GLAMA Award for her irreverent comedy CD, "human beings: what a concept" (Uproar Records).
Comedy writer and former television host of the New York variety show, "In The Life," Karen Williams sharpened her comedy teeth as a ghostwriter at Columbia Pictures. Williams' humor writings appear in numerous anthologies, including "Joke Stew" (Andrews McMeel Publishing); Revolutionary Laughter" (Crossing Press); "Out in All Directions" (Warner Books); and "Out, Loud & Laughing" (Random House).
Karen Williams graduated summa cum laude from Cleveland State University with a personally-designed major in "Humor and Healing." She earned a Master of Education degree from CSU's Adult Learning & Development program. Founder and CEO of the International Institute of Humor and Healing Arts, Karen has successfully branded HaHA Institute as the go-to resource network for educational programs, workshops and seminars focused on the healing power of humor.
Karen Williams, M.Ed, taught Stand-Up Comedy in the Dramatic Arts department of Cleveland State University; studied improv at Second City Chicago; and directed inaugural comedy classes at Second City in Cleveland. With her newly-minted PhD in social gerontology from Miami University, Karen expects to share her philosophy of joyful aging with people of all generations through her HaHA Institute Humor Education Center!
For bookings:
Karen Williams, PhD, M.Ed
Founder / CEO
HaHA Institute - Humor Education Center
(link hidden)
For the comedy performance, please provide a high-backed stool, a microphone in a boom stand or a cordless mike and a small side table. The microphone height should be set for 5 feet 9 inches. A glass of room temperature spring water should be set upon the side table. Kindly provide a green salad with hummus and pita bread, granola bars, fruit (berries), and tonic water in the green room. If appropriate, provide stage curtain colors for wardrobe consideration of the performer. Lighting should include warm blue and red gels, no yellow please. Sound check may be performed by technical personnel.
You are hereby given consent to record Ms. Williams on video and on separate audio for archival purposes only unless otherwise agreed and negotiated. It is understood that such recordings shall not be distributed, reproduced or sold without separate written consent from Ms. Williams, under the condition that you forward one master copy of the audio recording, and one master copy of the video recording to Ms. Williams' attention in care of HaHA Institute. Kindly arrange for a videotape recording of the performer's comedy performance, for her own use, if appropriate.
Producer will provide a table and personnel to facilitate the sale of CDs, DVDs, and other products by the performer with no associated fees, as it relates to this production.
Varies with the gig!
Like any modern day comic, I attribute my stream-of-consciousness style to Richard Pryor, Lenny Bruce, and George Carlin. At home, I heard Slappy White, Moms Mabley, Bill Cosby. Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, Lily Tomlin, Goldie Hawn, and Whoopi Goldberg were all comedic actors and while I love their work, I really wanted to do stand-up. I know my life had value and I wanted to hear more about my life...along the lines of Roseanne, who was such a powerful voice when she first hit the comedy scene. My favorites today: Chris Tucker, Lewis Black, Wanda Sykes, Kate Clinton, Jessica Kirson, and lots of female comics that I have the luxury of working with.
Cordless microphone
Boom stand
Microphone with ample cord
Monitor
Small table for water
New York City, NY 
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