Join fellow Oberlin alumni and industry guests for Staying Sharp: Comedy Writing through the Years, a panel and networking event.
Comedy is constantly evolving. Gather with these three accomplished artists and hear first-hand how they have seen their craft change over the years, how to keep your sense of humor even in the most difficult times, and where they see the art form heading into the future. Filled with knowledge, laughter, and camaraderie, this evening promises to be a hit for all who attend!
EVENING PROGRAM:
6:00 p.m. | Doors Open and Registration
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Welcome, Panel Discussion, Q&A
7:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Networking Reception
MODERATOR:
Ed Helms '96 - Actor, Producer, Writer
PANELISTS:
Harper Steele - Writer, Producer
Christopher Henchy - Writer, Producer
Location:
United Talent Agency
9336 Civic Center Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Note: Ample street parking is available on Civic Center Drive.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Register by Thursday, August 21 (space is limited).
This event is presented by Oberlin College and Conservatory and Obiewood, the network of Oberlin alumni working in the entertainment industry.
BIOGRAPHIES:
Ed Helms '96 - is an actor, writer, producer and comedian from Atlanta, GA. After attending Oberlin College, Mr. Helms moved to New York City to pursue a comedy career, ultimately becoming a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart before starring in The Office and The Hangover trilogy.
He launched his production company, called The Pacific Electric Picture Company, with producer Mike Falbo in 2012, where he produced and starred in Peacock’s Rutherford Falls, the hit podcast Snafu, Netflix’s Coffee & Kareem, Screen Media’s Corporate Animals, and Comedy Central’s The Fake News with Ted Nelms, which won a Writer’s Guild award. Most recently, he starred in the Netflix film Family Switch alongside Jennifer Garner.
Outside of entertainment, Helms is on the board for Represent.Us and sits on the Oberlin College Board of Trustees. A lifelong musician, he plays a pretty mean banjo in his bluegrass band, The Lonesome Trio.
Harper Steele - is an Iowa City native and a graduate of the University of Iowa. She is an Emmy-winning veteran comedy writer and producer, most known for her thirteen years with Saturday Night Live where she eventually became the head writer. After leaving Saturday Night Live, Steele took over as Creative Director of the comedy website Funny or Die, started by her friends Adam McKay and Will Ferrell. While at Funny or Die, Steele wrote the films, Casa De Mi Padre, Deadly Adoption, and Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. Most recently, Steele was the subject of the new Netflix documentary Will & Harper, which chronicles her evolving relationship with longtime collaborator and friend Will Ferrell. The documentary centers around a road trip the two friends take across America for the first time since Harper’s transition, and nearly thirty years after they first met on the set of SNL. Will & Harper premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and debuted September 27 on Netflix.
Christopher Henchy - is a writer, producer and director. Henchy was a Partner of Gary Sanchez Productions and Co-founder of Funny or Die with Adam McKay and Will Ferrell from 2005 to 2019. Henchy has been a writer and producer on such shows as Spin City, I’m with Her, Entourage and East Bound & Down. Henchy wrote the feature films Land of the Lost for Universal Pictures. He Co-wrote Other Guys for Sony starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. He Co-wrote The Campaign for staring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis. Henchy also produced the feature films Tammy, The Boss, Get Hard and Daddy’s Home 1 and 2. Henchy wrote, produced and directed Impractical Jokers, the movie. Henchy is currently writing a TV show for Netflix to star Will Ferrell.
