Humorology, Inc., also called Humo, is a Wisconsin nonprofit organization and an annual fraternity and sorority philanthropic event at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. Annually, the nonprofit hosts a competition of original mini musical comedies written, produced, and performed by students and overseen by a student-run executive board. Begun in 1947, Humorology is one of the oldest traditions at the university.
History
Founded in 1947, Humorology is annual fundraising event where University of Wisconsin–Madison fraternities and sororities present short musical comedy shows.[1][2][3] Originally, the shows were sponsored by the Inter-Fraternity Council and the Pan-Hellenic Association and were akin to vaudeville acts, filled with slapstick, lampoons, and clowning.[4][5] The winner of the first show in March 1947 was Sigma Nu which performed a minstrel show.[6]
For its first twenty years, the event's main beneficiary was the The Capital Times' Kiddie Camp for children with rheumatic fever.[7][8][4][9] Humorology raised $1,909 in 1951 and $2,050 in 1952 for the camp.[5][4] By 1963, the Humorology had given more than $16,400 to Kiddie Camp.[10] Next, the event raised money for international student scholarships.[8][9]
Humorology ceased to exist after 1970 due to a lack of interest.[11][12][13] After a hiatus, it was revived in 1979, and again supported Kiddie Camp.[11] Now, Humorology supports a different local charity each year.[14] Between 1947 and 2023, it raised $1.5 million for various groups.[2]
One of the University of Wisconsin–Madison's oldest traditions, Humorology or Humo overseen by a ten-member student executive board.[2][15][8] Humorology incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1993 and is Wisconsin's largest student-led nonprofit organization.[16][8][14] Its mission is "to promote community engagement and philanthropic service through creativity and dedication".[16]
Performance
The Humorology show consists of six original twenty-minute shows that adapt popular music and into a story with singing, dancing, and comedy. Students write, direct, choreograph, and perform the show; student also make the sets and costumes.[15][3][17] Each Humorology company consists of members of a University of Wisconsin–Madison fraternity teamed with members of a sorority. Individuals who are not part of the Greek system can also participate.[14] Around 1,000 students and 28 fraternities and sororities participate in the philanthropic event annually.[14]
All fraternities and sororities are eligible to audition in November for Humorology, but only six acts make it to the final performance in April.[7][15] The six mini-musical comedies are performed over a series of three nights.[17] On the final night, a panel of judges presents selects the top three acts.[17] The winner is the act what has raised the most money.[14][18]
Philanthropy
Proceeds from Humorology are donated to local children's charities, with a different charity being selected each year.[19][14] The event has raised more than $2.4 million from its founding in 1947 through 2023.[14]
Some recent beneficiaries of the Humorology include:
Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Gamma Rho, Delta Tau Delta, and Chi Psi
2016
Pi Beta Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Psi Upsilon
Alpha Epsilon Phi and Friends
Kappa Alpha Theta, Zeta Beta Tau, and Delta Chi
2017
Kappa Alpha Theta, Delta Tau Delta, and Chi Psi
Delta Gamma and Zeta Beta Tau
Pi Beta Phi, Theta Chi, and Sigma Phi
2018
Alpha Epsilon Phi, Delta Tau Delta, and Chi Psi
Alpha Chi Omega, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Phi Gamma Delta
Kappa Alpha Theta
2019
Alpha Epsilon Phi, Zeta Beta Tau, and Delta Chi
Alpha Chi Omega, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Acacia, and Beta Theta Pi
Alpha Phi, Delta Delta Delta, and Sigma Chi
2021
Gamma Phi Beta, Beta Theta Pi
2022
Kappa Alpha Theta, Chi Psi, and Acacia
Alpha Phi and Phi Gamma Delta
Alpha Xi Delta, Zeta Beta Tau, and Delta Chi
2023
Gamma Phi Beta, Delta Gamma, and Phi Gamma Delta[18]
Phi Delta Theta, Pi Beta Phi, and Sigma Phi
Alpha Sigma Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Tau Kappa Epsilon
Notable people
Television producer, director, and screenwriter Steven Levitan started his career in comedy working on shows for Humorology.[17]Michael Begler and Jack Amiel met when working on Humorology and are now a screenwriting team for television.[22]
^"Humolorgy '70 Set to Go". The Capital Times. Madison, Wisconsin. 1970-03-06. p. 29. Retrieved 2025-05-29 – via Newspapers.com. This and other newspaper article prove that Humorology took place in 1970.
^"'Humorology' Production to Aid Kiddie Camp Again". The Capital Times. Madison, Wisconsin. 1969-03-01. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-05-29 – via Newspapers.com. This and other newspaper article show that Humorology took place in 1969 but not in 1970.
