Is Laughter Contagious? (And Other Public Health Ponderables)
with Dr. Michael Osterholm
How concerned should I be about Hantavirus and Ebola? Should we still be wearing masks? And will a doctor be available at the show to check out this rash?
In this live show, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of infectious disease with Dr. Michael Osterholm, a world-renowned epidemiologist and the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota. After an uplifting conversation about the many ways we can die, we’ll bring our cast of improvisers to the stage to perform live, unscripted comedy scenes about everything they’ve heard.
You’ll leave the show with new knowledge, new laugh lines, and a newfound fear of recycled air. You won’t want to miss it!
Tickets: $15 adv/$20 door
Doors: 6pm | Show: 7pm
Full restaurant and bar services are available at the theater. The venue is wheelchair-accessible. If you need additional accessibility accommodations, please contact info@dangerboat.net at least two weeks prior to the event.
About the Guest
Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH, is a world-renowned epidemiologist and the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota, where he holds the title of Regents Professor. With a career spanning over five decades, including 15 years as Minnesota’s State Epidemiologist, Dr. Osterholm has become a leading voice in global health security and pandemic preparedness.
Dr. Osterholm is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and has served in high-level advisory roles for multiple U.S. administrations, including President Biden’s COVID-19 transition board and as a Science Envoy for the State Department. In 2025, he co-founded the Vaccine Integrity Project to safeguard public immunization efforts.
An accomplished author, his works include the New York Times bestsellers Deadliest Enemy and his latest book, The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics. He has been recognized for his prolific contributions to science and policy, receiving numerous honors from the CDC, FDA, and NIH. Most recently, Dr. Osterholm was named to the 2026 TIME100 Health list as one of the world's most influential leaders in healthcare.
What is the Theater of Public Policy (T2P2)?
A civic comedy institution is returning at a moment when people are overwhelmed by serious issues and exhausted by bad public conversation. The Theater of Public Policy (T2P2) uses humor to take the pressure off of serious conversations, sparking real conversation and helping audiences see issues in new ways.
Here’s how it works:
Shows open with a lively conversation with a newsmaker or policy wonk.
That conversation inspires a team of Minnesota’s most talented improvisers, who create entirely spontaneous sketches based on the interview.
The expert guest then answers questions from the audience.
The show wraps with one last round of improv from the cast.
It’s a totally unique blend of learning and laughter — and each show only happens once. Seeing is believing, so get your tickets to the next T2P2 show today!