Researcher's study on Jô Soares' humor construction wins international acclaim
Giovani Tozi, a researcher from Sorocaba, Brazil, has received international recognition for his doctoral thesis that analyzes the construction of humor by the renowned Brazilian artist Jô Soares. The thesis, titled 'Humor as Construction: A Possible Method Drawn from the Practice of Jô Soares,' was awarded an honorable mention by the International Society for Humor Studies (ISHS). This prestigious award was presented at the ISHS's 36th annual conference, held at the Universidade Federal Fluminense in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, from July 6-10. The conference, which celebrated 50 years of interdisciplinary humor studies, was held in Brazil for the first time and marked the first edition in the Global South.
Tozi's research is based on over a decade of personal and professional collaboration with Jô Soares, during which Tozi worked as an actor, assistant director, executive producer, and artistic collaborator. The thesis systematically organizes Soares' theatrical and humor-creation processes, which had not been previously documented in academic research. Tozi identified seven recurring procedures Soares used to prepare actors and build comedic scenes, emphasizing that this is a 'possible method' rather than a closed system, inviting further study and debate.
The study posits that humor can be understood as a scenic construction rooted in the communication between performer and audience. Tozi's findings suggest that Soares' comedy was not solely based on improvisation or natural talent but was meticulously crafted through conscious choices in language, rhythm, and audience engagement. The research highlights specific techniques such as collective text reading, actor listening, individual speech study, identification of 'key phrases,' finding the 'essence' of each line, and the strategic use of pauses and emphasis to achieve comedic effect. Tozi hopes his work will help keep alive the 'current of smiles' created by Soares and suggests that humor, more than ever, has the potential to save humanity.
This research offers a valuable framework for understanding the deliberate craft behind comedic performance, moving beyond notions of spontaneous inspiration. By meticulously documenting Jô Soares' creative processes, Giovani Tozi provides a systematic approach that can inform future generations of artists and scholars. The study's emphasis on a 'possible method' encourages critical engagement rather than passive acceptance, fostering an environment where creative techniques can be adapted and evolved. In an era increasingly shaped by AI-generated content, understanding the human-centric construction of humor and its reliance on nuanced communication and audience connection becomes even more critical for preserving authentic artistic expression and its societal impact.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.