In the late 1970s a group of Penn women began creating their own comedy sketches in their dorm. Together, they founded Bloomers in 1978, to open the doors to an Ivy League tradition of musical sketch comedy that had been available to men for years. Bloomers was named after Amelia Jenks Bloomer, an early member of the women’s liberation movement. When she popularized the long, loose trousers gather
ed at the ankles and worn under a short skirt in 1851, the uproar rivaled those over hot pants and miniskirts in the 1960s. They were freed from the confines of their skirts as they donned bloomers. The heart of Bloomers has long been its completely student-run productions. Currently, Bloomers shows are held in early November and late February. Our shows are composed of completely new material, written by each year’s group of Bloomers, and often have an overarching theme. Bloomers also performs bits throughout the year in floor shows at a number of on-campus “coffeehouses”, academic programs, and special campus events. The group has also performed over the years at benefits for organizations and non-profit groups in New York, Miami, and all over Philadelphia and has been invited to National Comedy Festivals. We wear our Bloomers proudly!
