Bloomers, founded in 1978, was the first women’s comedy troupe in the country. These days it is open to all gender identities underrepresented in comedy. Starting with our first show, Bloomers has presented comedy as original and bold as the journalist for whom the group was named, Amelia Jenks Bloomer.

It was Mrs. Bloomer who came up with the bright idea for billowy pants for—gasp!—women. And so Bloomers were born.

When Joan Harrison ’81 hit upon the name Bloomers, she knew it was perfect —funny, feminist, and metaphorical. And so Bloomers was born.

For the last forty years, Bloomers has been writing, producing, and performing original sketch and musical comedy. There is a completely new show every semester, and the troupe travels to perform in different cities. In addition, Bloomers sponsors a popular comedy festival every September.

What we learn in Bloomers—courage, resilience, wit, collaboration—carries into everything we do. Our alumni, remarkable leaders in the arts and sciences, enjoy working with new Bloomers graduates on personal development.