I partially owe my sanity to sitcoms. To sappy music, to pop art, to New York Times columns, to romantic comedies. Each of these artistic forms act as alternative universes, as life consultants, as stress...

Backstage in the wings, she hears her name being introduced. She’s on. It’s time. Senior Alena Ivanov thrives in the spotlight. With each comedy act she performs, she furthers the realization that...