Happier Valley Comedy stands in solidarity with anti-racism activists by voicing our anguish and deep frustration with systems that oppress and devalue the lives of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. 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 need to do better in backing that commitment with results.
As always, we turn to improv for guidance. Improv is "Acceptance of the reality of the moment and the agreement to move forward together with joy and ease." Acceptance doesn't mean accepting acts of injustice. It means accepting that injustice, inequality, and racism is a criminal reality that white people have benefited from in a white supremacist culture. Acceptance means keeping our eyes and hearts open from a place of attentive listening and learning. And "agreement to move forward" means using that knowledge for positive change and action. This is the job of an improviser. We are listening. We are learning. We are acting on our commitment to make our theater a stronger tool to amplify a more diverse chorus of voices.
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, and/or other organizations we could add to the list of resources below, please email us. We are eager to learn more and grow in order to better fulfill our mission to maintain an inclusive, welcoming community inspired and empowered by the diversity of all members and a place where BIPOC voices are valued and amplified.
With gratitude,
Pam Victor, Head of Happiness
Scott Braidman, General Manager & Artistic Director
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.
As always, we turn to improv for guidance. Improv is "Acceptance of the reality of the moment and the agreement to move forward together with joy and ease." Acceptance doesn't mean accepting acts of injustice. It means accepting that injustice, inequality, and racism is a criminal reality that white people have benefited from in a white supremacist culture. Acceptance means keeping our eyes and hearts open from a place of attentive listening and learning. And "agreement to move forward" means using that knowledge for positive change and action. This is the job of an improviser. We are listening. We are learning. We are acting on our commitment to make our theater a stronger tool to amplify a more diverse chorus of voices.
We are committing to the following goals:
- Providing ongoing anti-racism, equality, and implicit-bias training for our staff and casts
- Hiring a local, professional organization to work with us in a comprehensive evaluation of HVC to develop frameworks to shift practices towards authentic equity and inclusion
- Seeking additional Board Members that are DEI specialists and/or identify as BIPOC
- Hiring more BIPOC teachers for special workshops and/or weekly classes
- Holding regular 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 (see below)
- Devoting at least two "5th Saturday FUNdraiser" each year to a local organization that works specifically for equality, justice, and/or support of BIPOC 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*
- Allocating the time, money, and work necessary to assure that our stage and classroom have a more equitable representation of BIPOC and other numerical minority communities historically marginalized in the U.S. We consider diversity more than just hitting a numerical goal but also maintaining an inclusive, welcoming, less culturally white space. We work towards these goals through tangible policies and initiatives including but not limited to: Offering Equity class pricing and performer/teacher compensation; achieving diversity in line with the state census; providing alternative, accelerated pathways to under-represented cultures to become paid performers and teachers; and participating in the "100 Black Improvisers Partnership"
- Continuing 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 (This program is run 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, and/or other organizations we could add to the list of resources below, please email us. We are eager to learn more and grow in order to better fulfill our mission to maintain an inclusive, welcoming community inspired and empowered by the diversity of all members and a place where BIPOC voices are valued and amplified.
With gratitude,
Pam Victor, Head of Happiness
Scott Braidman, General Manager & Artistic Director
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.
The JEDI Council is an open committee of community members interested in helping HVC become a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable organization. Quarterly meetings are typically held in the theater on the third Saturday of the month. They are open to anyone who has taken at least one class at HVC. No need to RSVP. We'd love for you to join us!
Community members are reciprocated for their time with a
50% discount on an HVC class for every 4 JEDI Council meetings attended.
Upcoming schedule:
12:00-1:30pm on Saturdays
Oct. 15, 2022
Jan. 21, 2023
April 15, 2023
July 15, 2023
Oct 21, 2023
Community members are reciprocated for their time with a
50% discount on an HVC class for every 4 JEDI Council meetings attended.
Upcoming schedule:
12:00-1:30pm on Saturdays
Oct. 15, 2022
Jan. 21, 2023
April 15, 2023
July 15, 2023
Oct 21, 2023
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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. |
be of service
One of our core values is to "Be of Service." With that intent, here are a few resources if you're looking for ways to be of service to facilitating more equity and justice in the world:
- Split a donation between 70+ community bail funds, mutual aid funds, and racial justice organizers through the Massachusetts Bail Fund.
- Join and support When We All Vote, a non-profit "on a mission to increase participation in every election."
- Support The Movement For Black Lives, a global initiative which aims to support Black organizations to conduct conversations about current political conditions.
- Western Mass Showing Up for Racial Justice is a local chapter of a national organization (SURJ) organizing white people for racial justice. Click here for the national chapter's "A Call to Action for White Folks."
- This is a time for white people to learn and listen. This link is a working document for scaffolding anti-racism resources. The goal is to facilitate growth for white people to become allies and eventually accomplices for anti-racist work.
- Some more anti-racism resources specifically recommended by HVC's JEDI Council:
- Kiese Laymon, “Heavy” and “How to Kill Yourself and Others in America”
- Isabel Wilkerson, “Caste” and “The Warmth of Other Suns”
- Layla Saad, “Me and White Supremacy”
- Scene on Radio podcast, “Being White” series
- Ibram X. Kendi, “How to Be an Anti-Racist”
- Ijeoma Oluo, “So You Want to Talk About Race”
- Tressie McMillan Cottom, “Thick & Other Essays”
- Jessie Daniels, “Nice White Ladies: The Truth about White Supremacy, Our Role in It, and How We Can Help Dismantle It”
- Black-focused media to follow: The Grio, The Root
- Kiese Laymon, “Heavy” and “How to Kill Yourself and Others in America”
Contact
HAPPIER VALLEY COMEDY Leadership
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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.
