Improv(e) Rigged Systems with Comedy!

We are living in polarizing times in America, in case you didn’t know! It can feel like the system is rigged, or that we can’t find common ground. So what do we do? What will it take to bring us together?

LOVE COMEDY? CONFUSED ABOUT THE “SYSTEM” AND WANT CHANGE? REGISTER FOR the IMPROV/E Rigged Systems Workshop!

The IMPROV/E Workshop was created by GoodLaugh at the Center for Media & Social Impact and is presented in partnership with the Frameworks Institute.

WHO: Creatives of all kinds, Human Rights Leaders, and Comedy Lovers
WHEN: Thursday, October 23d, 2:30pm - 5:30pm
WHERE: Caveat Theatre: 21 A Clinton St, New York, NY 10002
WHAT: Learn why Americans believe the “system is rigged,” and what we can do about it, with some of the nation’s funniest improvisers, and develop meaningful content with a comedic twist!

HOW: Bringing together Improv practices and the science of Mindsets.
Come and experience this hands-on, groundbreaking strategy for yourself.

WHY: Recent Frameworks research shows that an overwhelming percentage of Americans believe that the American system is rigged (and by “the system,” we mean all of them, including the intersection of the big ones: political system, health system, economic system, etc.). What happens when we all believe this, though? This mindset can help spark a sense that positive change is impossible, which leaves people feeling dejected. If undirected, this mindset can also lead to ideas of racism and otherism. But there’s hope! Frameworks has tested ways to talk about rigged systems that actually create feelings of collective power and efficacy to demand change.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
After a welcome and brief introduction, the CMSI GoodLaugh Improv/e team will conduct live informational interviews with Frameworks’ strategists on their research on the System is Rigged mindset. The substance of these interviews will then be used as “source material” for a variety of exercises.
First, we will focus on the value of “Yes, And…,” not only in comedy, but in our personal and professional lives, as well.
Next, we’ll highlight tools to spin tested framing recommendations into palatable, and easy to understand content.
From there, we’ll have a rapid writers’ room which will generate practical and executable projects.
Then, we will close with an improv show performed by our team of elite improvisers.
Finally, we will have a happy hour where participants can unpack the day's findings together.

PRESENTED BY
Center for Media & Social Impact (CMSI) based at American University’s School of Communication, is an award-winning creative innovation lab and research center that focuses on media for equity and social justice. Our work bridges boundaries between scholars, media producers, social justice organizations, and communication practitioners. GoodLaugh, a CMSI initiative, is a comedy production engine and knowledge lab that brings together the most talented minds in humor, social justice, entertainment, and philanthropy to collaborate and create comedic content and insightful research to help repair the world and build a more just, equitable future.

The Frameworks Institute: The FrameWorks Institute is a nonprofit think tank that helps organizations and storytellers committed to social change to communicate in ways that shift narratives and build public demand for progressive change. We study cultural mindsets—how people understand social issues and develop and test strategies to shift thinking and build support for action. For 25 years, FrameWorks has helped change the conversation on issues like child and adolescent development, climate change, health equity, public education, and structural racism. FrameWorks staff—a multidisciplinary team of social scientists, narrative and cultural strategists, and communications professionals—has pioneered Strategic Frame Analysis®, a one-of-a-kind approach to communications that combines insights from social science, social movements, and social change communications. International, national, state and local partners, and content creators use our insights and guidance to secure more equitable, inclusive and sustainable policies.
Hope to see you there!