A one-of-a-kind night of stand-up comedy is planning to make you “Laugh Until You Cry” at 7 p.m. May 23 at The Vegas Theatre Company, 1025 1st St. UNLV theatre MFA candidate Skylar Schock, and theatre and film professor Adam Paul executive produce the event, an evening of stand-up comedy followed by a talk-back with the comics aimed at opening up conversation and sharing resources for mental health. The event features comics Anastasia Washington, Spiro Siavelis, Freddy Correa, Garrett Hall, and Schock, and is moderated by Michelle Paul, executive director of UNLV's Partnership for Research, Assessment, Counseling, Therapy and Innovative Clinical Education (PRACTICE) and associate director of clinical training in psychology. Tickets for “Laugh Until You Cry” are pay-what-you-can.
“Laugh Until You Cry” was created by Schock as an opportunity to use stand-up comedy as a tool for fostering discussions on mental health. Her initial research was awarded Special Congressional Recognition, and May 23rd’s performance is aimed to test the live event format while celebrating Mental Health Awareness month. The night will be a mix of stand-up comedy and a unique talk-back with the comics, where they will share stories on how they have used comedy to process issues ranging from PTSD, biracial identity, anxiety, and mental illness. Proceeds benefit local mental health charities.
The Lineup
Anastasia Washington is an award-winning biracial actress, comedian podcaster, and filmmaker who has been featured in stand-up festivals including Laugh Riot Grrrl, Burbank Comedy Festival, and Best of Fest at Electric Comedy Festival.
Spiro Adam Siavelis grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and originally made his move out west to pursue his hockey career in 2005. After a neck-and-shoulder injury put an end to his hockey days, he dove heavily into improv comedy and never looked back. He joined Jest Serendipity, Las Vegasʼ longest running improv show, in 2007 and transitioned to performing stand-up comedy in 2017. Spiro is a fan favorite on stage, with both improv and stand-up, at comedy clubs, theaters, and casinos all across the West Coast and was an official "Rising Star" selection for the 2019 NOHO Comedy Festival in Hollywood. Spiro packs a lovable punch on stage with his high energy improvisation, observations, life experiences, and storytelling style.
Growing up, Freddy Correa entertained friends, family, and coworkers by doing impressions and characters he would create until one day comedian Dave Mencarelli told him that he should try doing stand-up comedy. Freddy began to perform at bars, open mics, and local comedy clubs. His passion is making people laugh. When not on stage entertaining the Vegas crowds, he is interviewing the most interesting people on his online radio show, Thanks for the Invite. He performs at the LA Comedy Club inside The Strat every Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Garrett Hall is a comedian from Las Vegas by way of Little Rock, Arkansas. As a southerner and active duty member of the U.S. Air Force for the past seven years, Garrett has a unique perspective on life and the world around him. His comedy is introspective and relatable, yet unpredictable. Garrett can be seen all over Las Vegas doing standup on any stage that will have him.
Skylar Schock is a Los Angeles- and Las Vegas-based actor, comic, and filmmaker. She is currently earning her MFA in performance at UNLV and was most recently seen on stage as Helena in Nevada Conservatory Theatre’s Midsummer Night's Dream. Her work on her comedy show, Laugh Until You Cry, was recently awarded Special Congressional Recognition. Her most recent short film, She Had it Coming, directed by Gedde Watanabe, was a 25 x film festival selection, and won numerous awards. Her stand-up comedy credits include performances at Wiseguys, Delirious, the Star Lounge, and LA Comedy Club in Las Vegas.
Michelle Paul serves as a liaison between the department and community of professional psychologists in Southern Nevada. She works to oversee and develop doctoral practicum training opportunities for students tailored to their interests and career goals.
Award-winning director Adam Paul has written and directed two seasons of CBS's Emmy Award-winning The Inspectors; created and starred in Hollywood Residential, a scripted half-hour comedy for Starz; and co-written, produced, and directed Full Nelson, a wrestling comedy web series with over 5 million views.
As an actor, Paul is best known for playing Mitch, ‘The Naked Man,’ on the CBS comedy How I Met Your Mother. He also appears in numerous TV programs and films, including The Informant!, “One for the Money,” and “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.”
As a commercial director and writer, Paul has shot spots for VW (Webby Award winner), MasterCard, Lenovo, Caterpillar, and many more. He also is an adjunct professor at UNLV in the departments of theatre and film where he teaches on-camera acting, voice over, and podcasting.
