The Health Benefits of Comedy is Serious Business!

Why do we need your help now? And why this goal?

The Academy of Comedy Arts and Sciences Associated International (ACASA International) was conceptualized long before the recent “Great Recession”. The organization’s start-up costs were funded with seed money to hang out a shingle and get down to the business of immediately raising funds upon establishing our Non-Profit status.

What wasn’t planned was a freeze on all pre-approved funds in response to a free-falling economy. Never in our most detailed of plans could we have anticipated the dire outcome of the financial market in 2008-2009. Nevertheless, the need for ACASA did not subside. If anything, our organization is needed more than ever. It noted that during the Great Depression millions of people flocked to local movie houses for a reprieve from life’s struggles. Today, we find escape from the daily struggle through many mediums - movies, television, the Internet always seeking to be entertained.

Around the globe, the comedy community offers a natural prescription for suffering. It’s a simple formula - laughter.

Who benefits?

The men and women who have dedicated their lives to bringing laughter to the world are often misunderstood and under-appreciated. Being funny is a talent and a gift. Many times their talents are not taken seriously until they reach the A-List Celebrity status. Consequently, the work and needs of average hard-working comedians have been overlooked historically – for decades. The very people who offer the healing prescription of laughter are often struggling themselves.

It’s not easy to always be upbeat and keep people laughing. Rod Martin, author of “The Psychology of Humor – An Integrative Approach” conducted a study of famous and successful comedians. Of the 55 male and 14 female professional comedians, the study revealed that comedians tended to be superior in intelligence, angry, suspicious and depressed. The challenges of being creative and talented have been noted throughout time. Even 2000 years ago in Rome, the philosopher Seneca was already on the case when he wrote: "There is no great genius without a tincture of madness."

We’re all familiar with the classic sad clown. The sad clown is not just a character or syndrome, and it is more than just a metaphor. Some comedians seem to have no happiness of their own, aside from the moments when they provide happiness to others. It does appear that depression can wear many masks.

How will ACASA help?

As part of ACASA’s mission, we focus on the health benefits of laughter and helping comedians to have access to the help they need to live healthier, balanced lives. Our belief is that it is critical to continue the flow of healthy laughter and to appreciate those who provide the laughter. Comedians are a small portion of the community of entertainers – actors, announcers, dancers, musicians and singers – but per capita, the comedy community has lost more talented and gifted artists to suicide than all of the other performance categories. Why is this? Because comedy is not only a tough job, for many it is their key to survival.

ACASA’s commitment to comedy begins with a vision to improve the lives of comedians, to heighten the public’s awareness about the health benefits of comedy and to provide recognition systems to celebrate standards of excellence in comedy. We need your help to succeed. Here is how…..

SPREAD THE WORD!

We’ve streamlined our plans, but not our goals to support the art and craft of comedy. We have faith that just as we believe in comedy, that you will too. Your donation will help us provide comedians with educational training and professional resources, particularly access to Health & Wellness assistance. Sadly, while most commit daily and nightly to a pursuit of entertaining us, the majority of working comedians don’t even have access to annual check-ups. So many are on the road, working club to club, gig to gig - there is no regular employer to provide them with insurance.

We realize there are many on-going charities that need help on an ongoing basis. There is one sure benefit to your donation to ACASA - the effect is almost immediate and sustainable. There is no long-term waiting for a cure - laughter is the payoff and that’s what ACASA is all about. If every fan of comedy donated just $5.00, ACASA would be able to meet its full annual goals. We know that we have some time before we reach EVERY fan, but every dollar still matters. And we appreciate you taking time to give us the opportunity of your compassionate consideration.

Can you imagine a world without Comedy?

Think about what this world would be like without comedy. If comedy has ever been good to you, will you consider being good to comedy? The gift of laughter serves to heal. Comedy supports our core desire to feel uplifted and live stress-free. ACASA International exists to support the very individuals who bring us the precious gift of laughter.

Why this goal?

Our goal is to rais $500,000. This amount will allow us to create and plan ahead; we believe that with your support we can achieve this goal. Comedy has touched hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom are not on our current mailing list. If, in the next week or two, we can reach everyone who'd give us a hand if they knew we needed it, we'll meet our goals.

What's the long-term plan?

Our primary income will be generated from official and corporate event sponsors. The secondary source of income will come from event ticket sales, and then followed by registration fees (which are priced below market value). Finally, we will always apply for new public and private grants.

What will your donation help support? (Or, why does it cost so much to run ACASA?)

This question has two answers. First, big, complicated sites like www.myacasa.com are expensive to build, run, and maintain. Comparable sites such as www.grammys.com; www.emmys.tv; and www.oscars.com are all multi-million dollar enterprises. What they all have in common is that when you look at their sites it is only a small part of their true function. These organizations have many very large production expenses and the financial support from established corporations. They are an inspiration to ACASA and on a much smaller scale, we model their example of service their respective memberships. In our case, ACASA International provides a comprehensive website that serves as the OFFICIAL, Official Home of Comedy. At our website, comedians of all levels can showcase their talents; access resources to enhance their career and personal development; and have opportunities to master the latest technologies to market their services. ACASA International represents all comedy genres represented around the globe. In addition to our work online, we will host comedy concert fundraisers to showcase the breadth of comedy and its benefits; an awards program to honor talent; and a comprehensive Health and Wellness Festival. Additionally, ACASA will provide multiple opportunities to learn about the diverse world of comedy through internships and volunteer programs.

To make all this happen, and to provide the best possible service to our users, we have a team of dedicated individuals working on the East and West coast in the United States.

• Maintain the current myacasa.com website and make sure it runs smoothly.
• Reply to every call and email we get.
• Organize, promote, and staff all the events mentioned above (the average event sells over 1,200 seats and includes over 20 staff and volunteers).
• Contract, Develop, Create, Write and Publish new resources to help our members, such as news articles, career and professional development programs, member reward listings, and health and wellness updates.

If any of these services have touched you, please help support them. Thanks so much. ACASA International is a community-driven site, and we can’t do this work without you.

THE FINE PRINT

Is ACASA International a Non-Profit organization?

Yes, ACASA International - The Academy of Comedy Arts and Sciences Associated International - is a Non-Profit Corporation registered in the State of California with a 501(c)3 application pending in the United States and registered under The Academy of Comedy Arts and Sciences Associated, tax ID 27- 1231587. If you are a resident of the United States, your donation is tax-deductible, pending the approval of our application. ACASA International is making arrangements to secure an umbrella sponsor to protect the tax-deductible status of your donation.

If I make a donation, how do I get my receipt?

If you use a credit card or PayPal, you will receive an email receipt which you may use for your tax deduction. If you make a donation by check, we will send a recognition letter for your records and tax purposes.

What is your privacy policy?

We will never sell or share your name or any contact information with anyone outside our organization.

Thanks again for your support! 

SPREAD THE WORD!