You’ll be in Hysterics when Watching this all Female Comedy Group Perform

Ambi Narula, co-founder and co-president of The Hysterics, performs for the group's first stand-up show on Oct. 25.

Image credit: Elizabeth Scinta for The Campus Trainer

Laughter erupted from the Baltimore room in Adele H. Stamp Student Union as nine members of The Hysterics, an all-female comedy group, performed their first stand-up comedy show on Friday.

Ambi Narula, co-founder, co-president and host for the night, started the show by making jokes about her 4’10” stature and being a five-year-old “fish murderer.” Following Narula, there were dating app bits, sexual jokes and celebrity impressions.

The crowd laughed heartily when Ida Garfield, a freshman architecture major, referred to a babysitter as being “a glorified alarm system” for parents. Garfield ended her set by talking about Anytime Dining at Maryland and the “judgy” looks she feels she often receives from the dining hall employees about the food on her plate.

Rachel Niswander, a sophomore aerospace engineering major, had the crowd doubling over when she performed impressions of Owen Wilson, indie singers, James Blunt and Shakira.

“It was really good. I was surprised. I’ve never seen a show of all female comedians,” said Gabriella Jones, a senior Chinese and communications major.

Established in the spring semester of 2019 by Narula and Jordan Resnick, a sophomore theatre and psychology double major, “The Hysterics was made to create a space on campus where women can explore comedy, a place where women’s voices would be heard,” Narula said.

Initially, Narula was nervous no one would come out for auditions because of all the other comedy groups on campus, but was “so happy” to see about 15 girls there when the time came around. She said the other comedy groups were supportive of The Hysterics.

“It’s a sisterhood. A sorority for comedy,” Narula said.

The group rehearses twice a week and spent about a month rehearsing for this show. Rehearsals consisted of brainstorming, writing scripts and working on the delivery and timing of jokes, Narula said.

The group did open mics whenever possible, usually at Milkboy Arthouse, to practice, Elana Morris, co-president of The Hysterics and junior journalism and history double major, said.

Morris wants to make open mics a weekly occurrence so the women can get more practice and feel more comfortable on stage.

Josh Blumune, a junior computer science major and a member of the Maryland Night Live band, came to check The Hysterics out after hearing about the show from other comedy groups. Blumune said all of the comedy groups are encouraging of each other and support each other whenever they have the chance.

“I thought Anna Artazova’s pacing was really good,” Blumune said. He said that he’ll be back for another show.

The Hysterics don’t have any other shows lined up yet, but you can follow their social media accounts (@thehystericsumd on Twitter and Instagram) for updates.