Philly’s Bechdel Test Fest changes the comedy default

I don’t know about you, but I could really use a laugh. And I don’t know about you, but I think I could use some comedy that is inclusive and female/gender-nonconforming-centric. My needs are specific and weirdly hard to fulfill, I know. Lucky for me, the Bechdel Test Fest is back again for the hat trick to give Philadelphians some much-needed guffaws.

The Bechdel Test Fest (BTF) was born out of an online Facebook community originally designed to bring potential collaborators together, share news, and cultivate ideas. When groups started getting together to workshop their sets and scenes, the original organizers of the festival recognized these talented female-identifying, transgender, and nonbinary folx and wanted to give them a platform to show off their chops. Three years later, the festival is stronger than ever.

Does your comedy habit pass the Bechdel Test?

What is the “Bechdel Test”? Expressed by graphic novelist Alison Bechdel in her famous comic series Dykes to Watch Out For, here’s the rule: a work of fiction must feature at least two women, who talk to each other, about something besides a man. (Here’s the original comic; Bechdel credits Liz Wallace for the concept itself.)

Seems easy enough, right? Right.

Yet comedy has historically been male-dominated and a less-than-welcoming environment for female-identified, transgender, and nonbinary people (looking at you, Dave Chappelle and Louis CK). But that dynamic is finally shifting toward something more inclusive. According to Andrea Duffy, a comedian and one of the festival organizers, the comedy world is leaping forward faster than you might think.

Philly’s comedy scene leads the change

“Specifically in Philly, the comedy scene has been getting a lot more progressive and is making a lot of strides.” Three years ago, she notes, the scene was disproportionately male, as well as disproportionately white.

“We’re working on that too — to counter [that] and show the identities that aren’t seen as the default,” she says. And, at least in Philadelphia, BTF is doing its part to create a new standard.

If anyone knows what’s up in Philly comedy and the Bechdel Test Fest, it’s Duffy. She’s been able to track the growth of the festival from different roles within it: as an attendee the first year of the festival; as a performer with her improv team, Clamor of Harpies, in the second year; and now as an organizer. But her comedy and activities go beyond the festival. Duffy also belongs to Philly Improv Theater’s (PHIT) group Fezziwig Sketch Comedy, hosts PHIT’s Improv Jam Sundays (free and open to all at 8:30pm), and hosts the midday show Monday through Friday on 101.1 More FM.

“Space for you”

The festival will span three nights and spread to different locations, including one evening at FringeArts, home to many up-and-coming performing artists. Comedy of all styles is welcome, from standup and clowning to whatever else comics are trying out these days. For those of you daring enough to perform your own routine, open-mic opportunities follow the main events.

BTF isn’t just bringing the chuckles; it’s also using comedy to benefit local organizations. Part of this year’s proceeds will be going to Camp Sojourner, a nonprofit program which teaches Philadelphia girls the skills needed to become leaders in their communities. BTF is paving the way for young women to empower themselves and to take up the space they deserve, but that work begins with the wide array of artists BTF uplifts.

As Duffy puts it, “We’re saying: here is your space. Here is space for you.”

I like this new default.

The Bechdel Test Fest is running at venues including Bourbon & Branch, FringeArts, and the Adrienne Theater, March 2 through 4. For tickets and more information, visit online.

Above: Performance artist June Oh in the 2017 festival. (Image courtesy of BTF.)