Asperger’s Are Us Comedy Troupe Jokes About Everything but That

Although their troupe’s name is Asperger’s Are Us, their performances are not meant to advocate for a cause or teach people about their condition, they are purely meant to make people laugh. The sketch comedy troupe was started in Boston and is composed of four individuals on the autism spectrum. The four men met at an acting camp for children with Asperger’s (Please note: Asperger’s Syndrome is now not an official diagnosis, people who would previously be diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome are now often given the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder). The group consists of Noah Britton, New Michael Ingemi, Jack Hanke and Ethan Finlan. Britton was the counselor for the other three men when they attending acting camp. The troupe performs skits and monologues that reflect their thoughts, perspectives and “offbeat sensibilities.” Individuals with ASD often struggle with multilayered, subtle humor, but enjoy wordplay. Their original goal was just to entertain people who have their sense of humor, but then people started to show up out of curiosity or guilt or an urge to learn more about the condition that someone they know has. The troupe members accepted the fact that they would get audience members who want to learn more about ASD and responded by adding a Q and A session to the end of their shows. Their popularity has led Asperger’s Are Us to pursue a 13-city tour across the United States. The tour leads up to the fall Netflix premiere of the documentary “Asperger’s Are Us,” which tells their story. The four men don’t want people to think that all individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome are like them, but they do want to inspire other individuals with their condition to do “cool” things of their own.

Read the NY Times Article Here