"The THROUGH LAUGHTER workshops create a fast-paced, energizing and insightful learning environment. Using the techniques of improvisation, participants can explore the dynamics of effective communication, successful collaboration, creativity and more." |
The THROUGH LAUGHTER Program
Interactive, fun, and powerful professional development workshops to improve through improv training exercises specifically applied to the workplace "I have never participated in a workshop that was so thoroughly applicable to our daily life, work, and relationships. The return on investment was clear immediately." |
flexibility & change through LaughterLife seems to have an endless supply of curveballs up its sleeve, doesn't it? We arrive at work every day with a plan...and then the unexpected interrupts that plan. In this workshop, you'll learn how to meet change and challenges at work with greater flexibility, ease, and humor. You'll be given new tools and a shared vocabulary that help to redefine and "reframe" challenges at work, so you can handle them more as judgment-free events rather than obstacles.
INNOVATION & CREATIVITy through laughterTired of inside-the-box team thinking? Ready to take more risks in a supportive, positive way? This workshop gets your team problem-solving, brainstorming, and creating in a judgment-free environment full of "Yes!" attitude and forward momentum. Innovation & Creativity THROUGH LAUGHTER helps your team experience the delicious mix of group-mind and risk-taking required to bring new ideas into fruition by disempowering failure together as we discover creative ways to move forward together.
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Communication & collaboration through laughterSubstantial listening is much more than something we only do with our ears. It engages our our eyes, minds, hearts, and guts. This workshop uses improv training exercises to focus on the all-important skills of paying attention acutely and listening without judgment to what is actually being said (as opposed to what we want to hear). We also strengthen the muscles used to apply these deep listening skills to collaborative work in which innovation runs free.
build resilience & REDEFINe FAILURE through laughterWhat would it be like to see challenges as opportunities rather than failures? to redefine failure as judgment-free “events”? to meet these “events” with cheers rather than shame? Weathering mistakes and overcoming setbacks are tricky but absolutely vital skills. In this positive, highly supportive workshop, we'll use easy-to-learn, very fun exercises to help you understand that defining something as a "failure" only sets up roadblocks. Instead, you'll experience failure as a judgment-free event, releasing you to move forward with more confidence and creativity.
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THE SPIRIT OF "Yes, and..." through laughterImprov training is a powerful tool for promoting the "Yes, and..." spirit of agreement and acceptance to strengthen team spirit and collaboration. This workshop gets the team on the same page and moving forward in the same direction to promote stronger cooperation, deeper listening, and more open exchanges of ideas. Plus, positivity training brings tremendous benefits to work satisfaction to keep your team engaged and happier.
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build-your-own workshop through laughter
Schedule a one-on-one exploratory session to
customize the exact THROUGH LAUGHTER workshop individualized for your team's needs and style.
customize the exact THROUGH LAUGHTER workshop individualized for your team's needs and style.
"WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU DO in the events?"
Improvisers have known for a long time that their improv training has profound positive benefits to their offstage lives. The THROUGH LAUGHTER program brings these benefits to you using carefully selected, easy-to-learn improvisation exercises as tools for deepening learning in your professional life. Easy-to-learn and fun exercises are interspersed with lessons and humorous stories. Guided debriefing discussions allow participants the opportunity to apply the learning to their professional lives. The THROUGH LAUGHTER program is about much, much more than bringing humor to the workplace, but we often happen to have A LOT OF FUN along the way too!
"where can i see what a workshop looks like?"
"Will it work for shy people?"
Yes. Pam Victor specializes in ensuring everyone on the introvert-extrovert spectrum feels successful. This program is not a performance experience, and participants are never “on stage.” Exercises are completed in a whole group or in pairs, so key ideas are immediately put into active practice without making people feel put in the spotlight. Pam excels at quickly establishing a culture of support and acceptance to increase the comfort with the vulnerability and risk-taking necessary for deep learning.
"Pam's got a great way of making participants feel relaxed. She knows her stuff and we know we're in good hands.
Best of all she makes it safe to screw up, and see first hand how much being human is the heart of humor."
- Rob Peck, Zestworks
"Pam's got a great way of making participants feel relaxed. She knows her stuff and we know we're in good hands.
Best of all she makes it safe to screw up, and see first hand how much being human is the heart of humor."
- Rob Peck, Zestworks
"where do these events take place?"
You've got choices! Pam can come to you if you are within two hours of Hadley, MA. Our professional development clients also get complimentary use of our theater in Hadley to hold the event, which comfortably accommodates up to 60 people in a warm, sunny, well-ventilated place. (Our COVID Safety page is here.) All events can also be held online using Happier Valley Comedy's Zoom account.
"Who is PAM VICTOR anyway?"
THROUGH LAUGHTER Program founder Pam Victor is a professional improviser, facilitator, author, teacher, and the Head of Happiness (aka founder and president) of Happier Valley Comedy, the first improv theater in Western Massachusetts. In service to HVC’s mission to bring more laughter, joy, and ease to the world, Pam directs the three branches of the company: the improv training center, regular shows, and the THROUGH LAUGHTER program for professional and personal development, which uses improv training exercises to build foundational training skills, such as communication, collaboration, and creativity. Pam is a recipient of the 2019 NEPR Arts & Humanities Award and a TEDx speaker. She is the author of “Baj and the Word Launcher: A Space-Aged Asperger Adventure in Communication” a children’s book that uses sci-fi to teach social and communication skills. Along with legendary improvisers TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi, Pam is the co-author of “Improvisation at the Speed of Life: The TJ & Dave Book.” A graduate of Smith College with a Master’s in Education from Iona College, Pam has received improv training from iO Theater (Chicago), Annoyance Theatre (Chicago), ImprovBoston, and from Second City teachers. Pam is a nice person. She likes you already.
"WhAT are some COMPANIES that HAVE benefited from through laughter PROGRAMS?"
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"what do clients say about the
through laughter program?"
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"I would recommend Pam as a presenter to whomever is bringing in trainers, or trying to make their organization more effective in thinking, collaborating, changing their outlook to positive, and on and on." |
"I think this has been one of the most positive and influential things we have done as a group. Yes, and I loved it. Yes, and I learned. Yes, and every office should take time for this!” |
"I love working with Pam in developing the right kind of program for my group. ... highly recommend bringing Pam as part of a team building exercise. You will have fun, laugh, learn, and come out with some great communication skills."
-Kate Harrington, Senior Human Resources Specialist, Office of Human Resources, Smith College
"we loved our last Event!
what's the next level in the program?"
So glad you asked! We have a whole menu of workshops specifically designed for previous clients who want to
continuing building skills THROUGH LAUGHTER.
continuing building skills THROUGH LAUGHTER.
"what's THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THROUGH LAUGHTER?"
Pam Victor's TEDxTalk
"Meet Your Inner Critic (and Tell It to Pipe Down)"
presented at TEDxEasthamptonWomen
"Meet Your Inner Critic (and Tell It to Pipe Down)"
presented at TEDxEasthamptonWomen
"is there a package for
multiple through laughter workshops?"
Yes! We have an "Annual Subscriber Package," so you can
make THROUGH LAUGHTER a regular part of your professional development program.
(And save money in the process!)
make THROUGH LAUGHTER a regular part of your professional development program.
(And save money in the process!)
"Has THROUGH LAUGHTER ever been IN THE NEWS?"
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"I’m a gal who wears many hats: teacher, consultant, improviser, small business owner, twice published author, journalist, talk show host, podcaster, but mostly an improv missionary dedicated to spreading the joys and ease of improvisation with the world!"
-Pam Victor on 60 Seconds With A Startup on Innovate 413 |
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"Pam offers tremendous insight into its practical applications, which helps us slay the mental bull___ that slows us down or burns us out."
-Health & Lifestyle Strategist Kara Martin Snyder on Le Vital Corps Salon Podcast |
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"I call it one of those capital T Truths. Once you learn about the basic tenants of improvisation, you see that it's these basic truths that are helpful for good life skills, both personal life and professional life."
-The Western Mass Business Show aired on February 18th, 2017 |
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"Our Through Laughter program uses improvisation to strengthen the infrastructure of other businesses ... It's exciting to see my clients discover how powerful improv is as a long-lasting, effective method of facilitating professional and personal growth in their companies."
-MassLive Business News, "Voices of the Valley" |
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"Improv training has had powerful and positive effects on doctors and patients throughout the Pioneer Valley, yielding a host of benefits, such as improved doctor-patient experience, better staff communication, the efficacy of residency programs, and the very culture of learning in hospitals...After her staff workshop, [Florence dentist] Dr. Sue Keller said, “I use what I’ve learned everyday in my career and family, relating to what is happening here and now, responding instead of reacting. Pam is an amazing teacher and understands how to apply improv to life. We are so fortunate to have her in the Valley."
-Healthcare News on the Through Laughter Program "Improvisation Training is Serious Business for Local Doctors" |
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"A growing trend in performing arts these days is improv comedy, and it can actually be used in many aspects of your life. Pam Victor, President of Happier Valley Comedy, came to show us an exercise that will help you and your team learn their roles at work."
Watch the Video: Using Improv to Trust Your Inner Critic on WWLP Watch the Video: Improv Games for Communication |
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"It’s thrilling to go into companies and share the values of improv to improve their communication, collaboration, innovation, resilience to challenges, and flexibility with change. The thing that sets the THROUGH LAUGHTER program apart from other training programs is that we approach training with a lot of personal affirmation. I believe people have all the skills they need to do a kick-ass job." THROUGH LAUGHTER Program highlighted as a hidden gem of Massachusetts |
"is improv in the workplace really a thing?"
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"Ninety-five percent of students anonymously evaluating medical improv seminars from 2002 to 2010 agreed with the statement, “studying improv could make me a better doctor,” and 100% agreed with the statement, “I would recommend this class to other medical students,” according to “Serious Play: Teaching Medical Skills with Improvisational Theater Techniques” in Academic Medicine, the journal of the Assoc. of American Medical Colleges."
-Healthcare News: "Improvisation Training is Serious Business for Local Doctors" |
"An increasing number of entrepreneurs are recognizing how improv comedy can bring serious benefits to their business, including new ideas and fresh approaches. Improv can improve teamwork, collaboration and innovation in a workplace. Use of the "Yes, and” technique means team players build on the thoughts of others, rather than shutting down the ideas of their peers by presenting problems and roadblocks."
-Entrepreneur: "How Improv Comedy Can Seriously Grow Your Business" |
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“Through improv...we can work on anything from leadership, to influence, to adaptability, to crisis management. We can help people’s communication skills. We can show them how to stay focused, in the present moment, at a very high level.”
- Slate: "Getting to 'Yes, And...' How Improv Comedy Skills Became a Must-Have for Entrepreneurs" |
"Improv’s low-stakes training increases the likelihood that team members will feel comfortable communicating in a variety of work situations. 'Yes, and' is the key."
-Forbes: "Why Improv Training is Great Business Training" |
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"When it comes to increasing creative output in the modern workplace, companies need to take fun much more seriously. If your company is struggling, it may be time to send in the clowns."
- San Francisco Chronicle: "If You Want to Be More Creative, Humor Us" |
"Improvisation comedy will teach you to improv life. Life is rough sometimes (all the time) with these walls and barriers and judgments we’ve set for ourselves. The improvisation mindset will strip away it all and teach you to embrace the life’s truths, absurdities, and realities. The lessons are simple — so utterly simple, that they’re deceptive and the most difficult to achieve. It teaches us to unlearn all we’ve learned and adopt a new mind/shift."
-Huffington Post: "Why Improv Comedy Will Give You the Best Mindset for Life" |
"ok. i only have one more question:
how can I book a through laughter workshop?"
"where can i get the answers to more questions?"
