The Ivory Tower Power Hour
Great Growlers
The Ivory Tower Power Hour is an absurdist, subversive, and gleefully unhinged feminist comedy about higher education in late-capitalist times.
Public funding for the Arts and Humanities has been slashed, and generative AI has taken over teaching. To access what remains of research funding, three faculty finalists must compete in the Ivory Tower Power Hour – the "Thunder Dome" of academia. In the audience, you become a faculty member, voting for the professor with the most immersive, creative, and marketable project. In this high-stakes contest of funding promises, metrics magic, and institutional survival, they push the limits of academic hustle and research weirdness with dance, wellness grifting, and deranged humour. The Ivory Tower Power Hour will tickle your brain, delight your inner clown, and put a buzz in your knowledge hub.
Public funding for the Arts and Humanities has been slashed, and generative AI has taken over teaching. To access what remains of research funding, three faculty finalists must compete in the Ivory Tower Power Hour – the "Thunder Dome" of academia. In the audience, you become a faculty member, voting for the professor with the most immersive, creative, and marketable project. In this high-stakes contest of funding promises, metrics magic, and institutional survival, they push the limits of academic hustle and research weirdness with dance, wellness grifting, and deranged humour. The Ivory Tower Power Hour will tickle your brain, delight your inner clown, and put a buzz in your knowledge hub.
"Heather Mclean is a totally unhinged weirdo. She will go further than you thought possible. Go see this force of nature and thank me later."
- Deanna (Big D) Fleysher, Comedy Drag Artist, Teacher and Director ·
“ McLean is subversive as she is uproarious. Never have I seen someone who has such a firm grasp of Critical Theory who makes me cry with laughter. She is "theorethly" hilarious.
- Tetsuro Shigematsu, playwright/performer, filmmaker, comedian, and radio broadcaster.
- Deanna (Big D) Fleysher, Comedy Drag Artist, Teacher and Director ·
“ McLean is subversive as she is uproarious. Never have I seen someone who has such a firm grasp of Critical Theory who makes me cry with laughter. She is "theorethly" hilarious.
- Tetsuro Shigematsu, playwright/performer, filmmaker, comedian, and radio broadcaster.
Key Words: absurdist, clown, subversive, quirky
Venue: The NEST
Genre: Comedy, Stand Up, Other
Duration: 60 mins
Price: $20
Age Rating: 18A
Content Advisories: Mature Language, Political Commentary, Sexual Content
Sensory Advisories: None
For further information, see venue link above.
Director: Chloe Ziner
Directorial Feedback: Deanna Fleysher
Dramaturg: June Fukumura
Props: Chloe Ziner
Technical Design: Chloe Ziner
September 12, 2026
5.45pm
Price: $20
September 14, 2026
8.30pm
Price: $20
September 15, 2026
6.30pm
Price: $20
September 17, 2026
5.00pm
Price: $20
September 19, 2026
1.00pm
Price: $20
September 20, 2026
5.45pm
Price: $20
Fringe+

