HVC is committed to using the tenets of improvisation as a tool to amplify each person’s authentic voice and creativity in an inclusive, welcoming community inspired and empowered by the diversity of all members. We aim to back that commitment with results.
We are committing to the following goals:
As you probably know, one of our main guidelines is "Better out than in." If you have any thoughts about the role HVC is taking at this time, how we can do better, please email us. We are eager to learn more and grow in order to better fulfill our mission to maintain a welcoming community inspired and empowered by the diversity of all members and a place of kindness, inclusion, and belonging.
With gratitude,
Pam Victor, Head of Happiness
Scott Braidman, Managing & Artistic Director
Maddy Benjamin, Facilitator of Fun
Happier Valley Comedy
*Happier Valley Comedy rents land that was stolen from Indigenous people, including the Pocumtuc and Nipmuc tribes. A land acknowledgement is not appropriate or adequate to address this injustice that continues to harm people today. Therefore, we have instituted an ongoing process of contributing to the preservation of the lands and cultures of Northeastern Indigenous Peoples. All class fees contain an additional $3 to benefit The Nolumbeka Project, a local nonprofit whose mission is dedicated to these goals.
Learn more about The Nolumbeka Project, including their upcoming events.
We are committing to the following goals:
- Offering the Equity Fund for students, teachers, and performers
- Providing regular anti-racism, equity, and implicit-bias training for our staff and casts
- Hiring and training a greater diversity of teachers for workshops and/or weekly classes
- Holding on-call meetings of The JEDI Council, a committee of community members to hold us accountable for achieving the goals listed here, as well as creating new goals based on community input and experiences
- Devoting at least one "5th Saturday FUNdraiser" each year to a local organization that works specifically for equity, justice, and/or support of traditionally marginalized communities
- Facilitating the donation of funds from each class fee to local Indigenous group(s) as one act of reciprocity for having our theater on stolen land*
- Participating in the "100 Black Improvisers Partnership"
- Offering our Free Happiness Program, which regularly provides "pro bono" shows, improv workshops, and/or professional development training to under-represented and -served communities and organizations in our area (Applications are voted on by our board of directors)
As you probably know, one of our main guidelines is "Better out than in." If you have any thoughts about the role HVC is taking at this time, how we can do better, please email us. We are eager to learn more and grow in order to better fulfill our mission to maintain a welcoming community inspired and empowered by the diversity of all members and a place of kindness, inclusion, and belonging.
With gratitude,
Pam Victor, Head of Happiness
Scott Braidman, Managing & Artistic Director
Maddy Benjamin, Facilitator of Fun
Happier Valley Comedy
*Happier Valley Comedy rents land that was stolen from Indigenous people, including the Pocumtuc and Nipmuc tribes. A land acknowledgement is not appropriate or adequate to address this injustice that continues to harm people today. Therefore, we have instituted an ongoing process of contributing to the preservation of the lands and cultures of Northeastern Indigenous Peoples. All class fees contain an additional $3 to benefit The Nolumbeka Project, a local nonprofit whose mission is dedicated to these goals.
Learn more about The Nolumbeka Project, including their upcoming events.
Thank you to PeoplesBank for supporting our Equity and Inclusion efforts!
The JEDI Council is an on-call committee of community members interested in helping HVC become a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable organization. Meetings are held whenever an issue arises that could benefit from a discussion with a variety of backgrounds and opinions. All meetings are open to anyone who has taken at least one class at HVC. Subscribe to our Training Center newsletter at the bottom of this page or follow us on Facebook to be notified the next time the JEDI Council will convene.
Community members are reciprocated for their time with a
50% discount on an HVC class for every 4 JEDI Council meetings attended.
Do you have an issue that The JEDI Council should meet to discuss?
Email The JEDI Council here
Community members are reciprocated for their time with a
50% discount on an HVC class for every 4 JEDI Council meetings attended.
Do you have an issue that The JEDI Council should meet to discuss?
Email The JEDI Council here
|
The JEDI Council:
Thank you for helping to make HVC a better place for everyone! Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions for the JEDI Council. |
Contact
HAPPIER VALLEY COMEDY Leadership
Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy
The Happier Valley Comedy School admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
