Laughing At Wounds: Narratives Of Tragedy In Stand-up Indo Jogja Community

Abstract

Stand-up comedy serves not only as entertainment but also as a narrative medium through which individuals articulate their lived experiences. One interesting phenomenon in stand-up comedy is the use of personal tragic experiences as comedy material. This study examines how Stand Up Indo Jogja comedians construct and perform narratives of personal tragedy, as well as analyses the functions and effects of these narratives on the comedians’ self-reflection and audience reception. This study uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with Stand Up Indo Jogja comedians and analyzed using humor theory and narrative communication theory. The results show that comedians process tragedy through cognitive reframing, transforming painful experiences into accessible and communicative humorous narratives. Personal tragedies serve as a sources of authentic narratives that reinforce honesty, self-disclosure, and emotional closeness with the audience. In addition, humor acts as a coping mechanism that helps comedians reduce emotional burdens and increase resilience. This study also found that the Stand Up Indo Jogja community acts as a safe space, offering emotional, artistic critique, and ethical guidance throughout the comedians’ creative process. Thus, the transformation of tragedy into comedy is a complex communication process, involving emotional readiness, humour techniques, and community support.