Maurer uses comedy as teaching tool
Eastern principal to headline Lit. Coalition's comedy event March 9
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When one thinks of elementary school principals, most have visions of someone behind a desk lecturing wayward students. In Randy Maurer's case, he is an administrator by day, and by night a stand-up comedian opening for major entertainers and headlining comedy fundraisers.
Always quick on his feet, a trait that made him beloved by students and co-workers alike, Maurer got his chance to perform stand-up in 2012 as part of a "Peter Heck and Friends" comedy fundraiser.
"(Heck) had seen me lead meetings and thought that I could be one of the acts for his comedy show," stated Maurer.
Maurer got a taste for stand-up entertainment from the show, which led him to Kokomo comedian Jon Branyon's stand-up workshop. During those classes, Maurer met fellow comedian Jimmy Shaw, the producer of Kokomo's Blind Tiger Comedy and host of a regular open mic night at the north end's Elbow Room every Wednesday night. Maurer has performed there frequently with Shaw.
"Comedy and teaching are related," said Maurer. "If you think about it, it’s all entertaining. Lots of practice and preparation goes into what you do. Teachers have the difficult job of entertaining their students into learning. If something doesn’t quite work one day, you find a different way to present it so you accomplish your goal."
In 2019, Maurer was awarded the Eli Lilly Teacher Renewal Grant. He used the money to enroll with his middle-school daughter, Alexa, at the famous comedy school Second City Chicago. There, Alexa attended a teen camp featuring improv, skit writing, and using comedy in your everyday life. Maurer took classes in improv, script writing, and stand-up comedy.
When the pair returned home, they formed the Eastern Comedy Club, a group of middle-school students that put together comedy shows with Eastern High School's drama club.
Maurer soon will publish an article for the Indianapolis Association of School Principals newsletter entitled, "Laughing in the Face of Madness," promoting the idea of using comedy in school administration to deescalate tense situations while encouraging students, parents and other teachers.
Although he sometimes uses his family situations in his comedy, as most comedians do, he said his relatives are very supportive. When his wife, Tami, comes to see his shows, she sometimes "heckles" him, letting her be a part of the joke as well.
"It's important to let the audience see you can laugh at yourself," said Maurer.
This will be Maurer's third outing with the Literacy Coalition, as he and his wife were a dance team with its “Dancing with the Stars” event in the past. This will be Maurer's second comedy show with the coalition.
"I very much appreciate what they do for the community,” said Maurer. “They help so many with learning to read and being a resource for them, assisting with those wanting their GED certificate, and those who are learning to read and speak English. It is an extension of what we do in schools, and I am happy to partner with them."
The Literacy Coalition's Comedy Night and Bourbon Auction will be held Sat., March 9, at Rhine Hall, 507 N. Union St. Tickets are $50. Doors open at 6 p.m. The show will feature Maurer along with comedians Greg Haun and Willie Griswold. There will be a vintage bourbon raffle during the event, with all proceeds going to help the Literacy Coalition of Howard County with its mission to teach children and adults to read. For more information, visit https://www.literacycoalition.com/.
To buy tickets for the Comedy Date Night, visit