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 positivity." 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 must act. We know that we can and must do better to make our theater a stronger tool to amplify a more diverse chorus of voices.
We commit 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 from this moment in history in order to fulfill our promise to make our community a place where the voices of BIPOC are welcomed, amplified, and celebrated.
With gratitude,
Pam Victor, Head of Happiness
Scott Braidman, General Manager & Artistic Director
Happier Valley Comedy
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 positivity." 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 must act. We know that we can and must do better to make our theater a stronger tool to amplify a more diverse chorus of voices.
We commit 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
- Holding monthly 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 one "5th Saturday FUNdraiser" each year to a local organization that works specifically for equality, justice, and/or support of BIPOC communities
- Allocating the time, money, and work necessary to make sure our stage and classroom have a more equitable representation of BIPOC players, including but not limited to offering Equity pricing 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
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 from this moment in history in order to fulfill our promise to make our community a place where the voices of BIPOC are welcomed, amplified, and celebrated.
With gratitude,
Pam Victor, Head of Happiness
Scott Braidman, General Manager & Artistic Director
Happier Valley Comedy
The JEDI Council is a committee of volunteer community members interested in helping HVC become a more diverse and equitable organization. Meetings will be held on the second Saturday of every month from 1:00-2:30pm at HVC. Anyone who would like to join is welcome to attend our first meetings on October 9th, November 13th, and December 11th, 2021.
The JEDI Council will:
In 2022, we will limit these meetings to members who can consistently attend JEDI Council meetings moving forward, creating a constant core group with shared vocabulary, relationships, and trust. At that point, members of the JEDI Council will be reciprocated for their time with a 50% discount on HVC classes and workshops. New members will be invited to join regularly.
To learn more, please join us at the first three open meetings in October, November, and December!
Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.
The JEDI Council will:
- Hold HVC Leadership accountable for achieving our stated goals
- Provide feedback on JEDI issues and experiences within HVC groups and events
- Help to form new goals and sharpen our focus and progress on existing goals
- Maintain a space to hold brave and challenging conversations about justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, racism, white supremacy, and our role as agents for change
- Follow The Circle Way to facilitate open and equitable group discussions with a shared goal
In 2022, we will limit these meetings to members who can consistently attend JEDI Council meetings moving forward, creating a constant core group with shared vocabulary, relationships, and trust. At that point, members of the JEDI Council will be reciprocated for their time with a 50% discount on HVC classes and workshops. New members will be invited to join regularly.
To learn more, please join us at the first three open meetings in October, November, and December!
Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.
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.
- 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.
- 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."
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.
