By its very nature, improv can be uncomfortable. But there is a difference between "helpful-uncomfortable" and "unhelpful-uncomfortable." On the Nose Pause for Learning is Happier Valley Comedy's classroom-based timeout procedure to be used when we cross the boundary into the "Red/Stress Zone" of unhelpful-uncomfortable stress or danger. Some Red Zone examples are unwelcome sexual innuendo or physical contact, cultural stereotyping, or prejudicial language (i.e., homophobic, racist, misogynistic, ableist, etc.)
Improv can be edgy. The goal of On the Nose Pause for Learning is to establish clarity around when hard boundaries are crossed, specifically around institutionalized oppression, and to create awareness around discrimination woven into the fabric of society in order to be agents for inclusion and change. As Brené Brown says, "Clear is kind." Everyone is empowered to discover and set their own unproductive "Red/Stress Zone" boundaries and to expand their helpful-uncomfortable boundaries of stretching and learning. It’s expected that boundaries vary from person to person and class to class and may change at any time. However at HVC, bigotry is a universal Red Zone.
Together, we learn more about how to stay in the Blue and Green Zones of learning to maintain an inclusive and welcoming classroom. And when we overstep into the Red/Stress Zone of unhelpful-uncomfortable, On the Nose Pause helps us focus on the action (not the actor) and on learning (not blaming) in order to move forward together with respect, joy, and ease.
Improv can be edgy. The goal of On the Nose Pause for Learning is to establish clarity around when hard boundaries are crossed, specifically around institutionalized oppression, and to create awareness around discrimination woven into the fabric of society in order to be agents for inclusion and change. As Brené Brown says, "Clear is kind." Everyone is empowered to discover and set their own unproductive "Red/Stress Zone" boundaries and to expand their helpful-uncomfortable boundaries of stretching and learning. It’s expected that boundaries vary from person to person and class to class and may change at any time. However at HVC, bigotry is a universal Red Zone.
Together, we learn more about how to stay in the Blue and Green Zones of learning to maintain an inclusive and welcoming classroom. And when we overstep into the Red/Stress Zone of unhelpful-uncomfortable, On the Nose Pause helps us focus on the action (not the actor) and on learning (not blaming) in order to move forward together with respect, joy, and ease.
We aim to start every class in the Blue/Comfort Zone, then to reach to the Green/Stretch Zone - which is the "helpful-uncomfortable" place where learning happens - and avoid the "unhelpful-uncomfortable" Red/Stress Zone.
We practice inviting joy and ease into the beneficial, helpful uncomfortableness of the Green/Stretch Zone. And we use On the Nose Pause to learn from the experience when we enter the unhelpful-uncomfortable Red/Stress Zone. |
bigotry is an automatic Red Zone at hvc
This includes any kind of discrimination based on race, ancestry, cultural identity, sexual and/or gender orientation, physical and/or mental ability, etc. Unwelcome physical contact is another universal red zone.
students are invited to add their personal Red Zone hard boundaries in class as well.
Teachers will go over this procedure in class.
Students are encouraged to use it in all HVC classes and workshops. Of course, students are invited to talk to teachers and/or HVC Leadership if a hard boundary is crossed even if a pause isn't called. |
Pam & Scott Talk Through On the Nose Pause for Learning
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NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
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.
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.