“A new Zenster is just a friend you haven’t met yet.”
HVC would like to help you meet those new friends.
HVC would like to help you meet those new friends.
What is Zen Friends program?
Zen Friends is a Happier Valley Comedy program that matches improvisers studying at different levels to foster community, support, guidance, and improv fun! If you’re just starting out, we can match you with a more advanced HVC student. If you’re in the middle of your studies, we can match you up with either a more advanced student (if you are seeking a more experienced Zen Friend for guidance) or a beginning student (if you want to share your experience as a guide) or both. If you’re an Advanced Improv student, we’ll match you up with a less experienced improviser, so you can show ‘em the ropes. You don’t need to “earn” your place as a guide; all you have to do is share what you’ve learned so far. You are enough!
How do I become a Zen Friend?
If you want a Zen Friend, just fill out the Zen Friend form here. Then the Happier Valley Comedy team will match you up with a Zen Friend. We will provide each of you with your friend’s contact info so you can connect and start making plans.
What do I do with my Zen Friend?
As Zen Friends, the first thing you could do is plan to meet up - maybe at a show or jam! Get to know each other, share your current experience of improv, talk about what you’ve gotten out of improv and what you’d like to get out of it. It’s also a good idea to be clear about what you’re able to offer as a Zen Friend as far as time commitment goes. Then plan some activities together, such as:
What are the benefits of the Zen Friend program?
Ok! I’m ready to be a Zen Friend! How do I sign up again?
Just fill out the Zen Friend form here Then the Happier Valley Comedy team will (fairly randomly) match you up with a Zen Friend. We will provide each of you with your friend’s contact info so you can connect and start making plans.
Zen Friends is a Happier Valley Comedy program that matches improvisers studying at different levels to foster community, support, guidance, and improv fun! If you’re just starting out, we can match you with a more advanced HVC student. If you’re in the middle of your studies, we can match you up with either a more advanced student (if you are seeking a more experienced Zen Friend for guidance) or a beginning student (if you want to share your experience as a guide) or both. If you’re an Advanced Improv student, we’ll match you up with a less experienced improviser, so you can show ‘em the ropes. You don’t need to “earn” your place as a guide; all you have to do is share what you’ve learned so far. You are enough!
How do I become a Zen Friend?
If you want a Zen Friend, just fill out the Zen Friend form here. Then the Happier Valley Comedy team will match you up with a Zen Friend. We will provide each of you with your friend’s contact info so you can connect and start making plans.
What do I do with my Zen Friend?
As Zen Friends, the first thing you could do is plan to meet up - maybe at a show or jam! Get to know each other, share your current experience of improv, talk about what you’ve gotten out of improv and what you’d like to get out of it. It’s also a good idea to be clear about what you’re able to offer as a Zen Friend as far as time commitment goes. Then plan some activities together, such as:
- Choose a book or essay from our list to both read and talk about together
- Watch an improv video together and compare notes
- Listen to an improv podcast or interview and share what you found most useful and how you can apply it to your own practice
- Meet up for a Happier Valley Comedy Show, The Happier FAMILY Comedy Show or other improv show in the area
- Jam together by participating in the More Improv, More Better After-Show & Jam
- Register for an all-level improv workshop together and meet after class to review what you learned, liked or didn’t like, and how you can apply these lessons to your practice
- Karaoke at the Harp!
- Hang out with other Zen Friend pairs and geek out together
- Check out the Zenster Jamsters page on Facebook to see if there is a jam being organized or post to host a jam of your own!
- Trivia Night anyone?
- Make recommendations to each other of improv-related resources you’ve found helpful
- Go over the HVC Community Resources page to see what might be of interest to you both
- Plan an improv field trip to an improv festival or SeaTea Improv in Hartford, ImprovBoston in Cambridge, Improv Asylum in Boston or the NYC theaters!
- Be available for post-class downloads. Help each other quiet down those Calvin voices, offer perspective and reframing, or just listen and be there for each other
- Be a friend!
What are the benefits of the Zen Friend program?
- Beginning improvisers have a dedicated resource to expand their experience and knowledge
- Advanced improvisers have an opportunity to review the fine details of their experience through the lens of a beginner
- More engagement with improv material
- More practice doing and watching improv
- Opportunity to learn more from each other and how to apply lessons to each of your practices
- Having a buddy to see shows and take workshops with
- More chances for improv fun!
- New friends!
Ok! I’m ready to be a Zen Friend! How do I sign up again?
Just fill out the Zen Friend form here Then the Happier Valley Comedy team will (fairly randomly) match you up with a Zen Friend. We will provide each of you with your friend’s contact info so you can connect and start making plans.
