independent performer guidelines
Thank you for being a part of Community Comedy Night!
When you step onto our stage, you are representing Happier Valley Comedy to audience members who could be here for the first time. Below you'll find our mission statement and some guidelines about performing at HVC.
When you step onto our stage, you are representing Happier Valley Comedy to audience members who could be here for the first time. Below you'll find our mission statement and some guidelines about performing at HVC.
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Happier Valley Comedy's mission is to bring laughter, joy, and ease to Western Massachusetts (and the world!) through the principles of improvisation. We aim to use 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.
At HVC shows, our #1 priority is to do no harm. Secondarily, we aim to entertain. Please familiarize yourself with the info on this page to help us with these priorities. |
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What We Expect Of You:
- DO NO HARM: When you step onstage, it's assumed that you agree to our priority to do no harm to audience members, particularly for marginalized, non-dominant groups. We recommend staying out of potentially problematic subject matters, particularly with regards to race, gender, ability, sexual orientation, etc. Especially if you're a newer performer, avoiding challenging topics altogether could set you and the audience up for maximum joy and ease. In order to support each other in this goal, we have a Procedure for Calling In & Redirection. See more below.
- DRESS RESPECTFULLY FOR SHOWS: Please dress thoughtfully, neatly, and comfortably. Unless your show has a particular costume or dress code, we suggest business casual. You want to be able to play any character, from a princess to a pig. Maybe also a pig princess. You don't want to accidentally flash anyone when you bend over or sit down. Your appearance should show respect for the stage and the audience's time, money, and attention.
- FOLLOW OUR ANTI-HARASSMENT AND ISSUES OF RESPECT POLICY: See more below.
- FOLLOW OUR COVID-19 AND HEALTH POLICY: See more below.
- PLAY MORE FOR MORE: Invite your friends and family to your show - it's not just for you, but also for everyone else performing that night. Watch and support the other teams in your show. Laugh. Facilitate fun for yourself, your castmates, and the audience!
What You Can Expect of Us:
- STAGE TIME: We'll do our best to give you a great performance space and a warm room full of comfortable, happy audience members so you can do what you do best: play!
- AFFORDABLE REHEARSAL SPACE: You can rent space to rehearse at HVC whenever it's available for just $10 per hour. (This will increase to $20 per hour in 2025.) Email Scott if you'd like to reserve a room!
- EARS & SHOULDERS: We are here for you. Please let us know about your hopes, troubles, joys, and goals. We promise to listen, respond, and make choices that are best for you, the business, and our community.
calling-in & redirection procedure
Our calling-in and redirection procedure provides a structure for stopping or avoiding possibly offensive or biased material as one way we can take care of each other and the audience. Missteps are inevitable and not a call for shame and blame. Instead, we assume best intentions, have each other's backs, learn so we can do better, and prioritize reducing the impact on people of non-dominant cultures by immediately stopping and redirecting the scene.
Every member of your group and HVC leadership is empowered to redirect a scene at any time, preferably as early as possible, by simply saying "New Choice!" It takes great courage to redirect a scene during a show, so the immediate and audible response by the called-in player is to show their appreciation by saying, “Thank you!” or “Thanks for having my back.” And then making a different choice in the scene. This should be quick, smooth, and positive.
If you are redirected, please do not try to explain, clarify, or justify the redirected move. Even if you’re confused by the redirection, it is your responsibility to put on a brave face during the show, smile, say thank you, and move on in a new direction. The time for clarification and explanations is privately after the show.
You are responsible for understanding and following our Redirect Procedure.
We will make mistakes. This is how we reduce the impact.
Please practice the "new choice / thank you" at your next rehearsal
Every member of your group and HVC leadership is empowered to redirect a scene at any time, preferably as early as possible, by simply saying "New Choice!" It takes great courage to redirect a scene during a show, so the immediate and audible response by the called-in player is to show their appreciation by saying, “Thank you!” or “Thanks for having my back.” And then making a different choice in the scene. This should be quick, smooth, and positive.
If you are redirected, please do not try to explain, clarify, or justify the redirected move. Even if you’re confused by the redirection, it is your responsibility to put on a brave face during the show, smile, say thank you, and move on in a new direction. The time for clarification and explanations is privately after the show.
You are responsible for understanding and following our Redirect Procedure.
We will make mistakes. This is how we reduce the impact.
Please practice the "new choice / thank you" at your next rehearsal
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This short video gives a demonstration of what a redirect looks like. Quick, smooth, and positive. Plus, there is a puppy! |
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This procedure also applies to storytelling standup sets. If you are a storyteller or standup comedian and are unsure if some of your material could cause harm, please reach out to Scott ahead of time.
Anti-harassment & Issues of respect policy
covid-19 & health policy
we appreciate you!
notice of nondiscrimination policy
Happier Valley Comedy welcomes performers 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 performers. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, or national and ethnic origin in casting decisions.
Happier Valley Comedy, Inc. is 501c3 non-profit organization.
