Join us on Thursday, February 29 for an evening filled with improv, comedy, music and mindfulness, starring acclaimed stand-up comic Ophira Eisenberg! Featuring a hilarious cast of improv comedians from The Second City, The Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade, and more!
Our emcee, Mary Lemmer, is a multi-hyphenate – entrepreneur, TED speaker, author, improviser, humorist, philanthropist, startup advisor, leadership and team expert. She is the founder of Improve, which improves lives and organizations using improv-inspired techniques supported by research.
She trained in improv comedy at The Second City and The Annoyance in Chicago, Upright Citizen’s Brigade in NYC, The Groundlings out of Los Angeles, among others. She has performed improv and comedy all over the country, including at Gilda Radner’s Laughfest, The Punch Line in San Francisco, and the Lady Laughs Comedy Festival.
Her TED Talk “How improv can improve your leadership and life” (video above) inspires living by the principles of improv in work and life and her debut comedy special “Living With My Parents” joyfully documents her experience living with her parents, as an adult, during the pandemic.
This lively comedy event is a fundraising cause helping the Centre raise money to help those most in need who are unable to access mindful mental health support. The event is sure to be an evening full of great laughs, memories, music, and of course, mindfulness!
Ticket details
- $65 CAD for individual tickets
- $120 CAD for 2 tickets
- $300 CAD for a 5-ticket package
*Zoom links for the event will be sent out to all emails on the day before the event!
We can’t wait for you to join us for a fantastic evening, helping us create a warm atmosphere in the chilliest part of winter!
If you cannot attend but would like to donate, please donate below!
About the Cast
Ophira Eisenberg
Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Ophira Eisenberg is a standup comedian, writer, and host of the comedy podcast Parenting Is A Joke with Pretty Good Friends and iHeart. She also hosted NPR’s Ask Me Another, where she interviewed hundreds of celebrities, including Sir Patrick Harris, Rosie Perez, Yo-Yo Ma, Awkwafina, Roxanne Gay, Nick Kroll, Chelsea Handler, and more.
She’s appeared multiple times on CBS’s The Late Late Show, Comedy Central, HBO, The New York Festival and is a regular host and teller on The Moth Radio Hour. Her stories are included in three of The Moth’s best-selling collections, including the most recent: How To Tell A Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth. Her memoir, Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy, was optioned for a television series, and her recent comedy special Plant-Based Jokes is streaming on YouTube.
She is a regular at The Comedy Cellar, other New York clubs, and around the country. Her solo show Leaving A Mark: A Comedy About Scars recently made its Off-Broadway review to rave reviews and won the Women in the Arts & Media Award for Solo Show Scripts.
Matthew Goodman
Dr. Matthew Goodman, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist, consultant, speaker, and mindfulness teacher (PSY32423). He has a background as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and brings a wealth of expertise to wellness, team-building, and communication skills. Matthew utilizes purposeful play, awareness-based practices, and behavioral science principles in his engaging approach. He has over 10 years of experience teaching mindfulness to diverse audiences, including children and adults in various settings, and is the author of “Simple Stress-Reduction: Easy and Effective Practices for Kids, Teens, and Adults.”
Mel Rubin
Mel Rubin is a hip-hop improv performer, instructor, and beatboxer based out of New York City.
She studied long-form improv and musical improv comedy at the Magnet Theater (NYC) and is a performer on the hip-hop improv team North Coast, which has been featured in The New York Times and Time Out New York.
Mel is also an active performer, workshop facilitator, and public speaking coach with Freestyle+ and loves to travel across the country bringing the joy of improv to anyone who will let her.
She has also been dog-momming her pride and joy, Milo, since 2017. Milo’s Instagram is @milothemiki
Raegan Sealy
British-born, Brooklyn-based performing and teaching artist Raegan Sealy has perfected the art of finding light in life’s darker experiences through words and music. Fusing soul, rock, and indie-pop with her distinctive velvety vocals and ballsy lyrics, Raegan delivers both haunting ballads and upbeat self-empowerment anthems with equal prowess.
Raegan has performed everywhere from classrooms to stadiums, and supported Ice-T, Kae Tempest, Judah & The Lion, and Shane Koyczan.
A force to be reckoned with, Raegan is also an award-winning scholar and social impact strategist. In 2015, she received a Fulbright Award to study poetry for public engagement at The New School. In 2017, she launched a nonprofit organization that was supported by Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. Her 2019 TED Talk received a standing ovation.
In 2021, Raegan joined the US-UK Fulbright Alumni Council, where she continues to fight for increased diversity, representation, and access in higher and international education.
Description of the Comedy Show:
Get ready for a night of laughter, spontaneity, and good vibes at our special comedy event led by Mary Lemmer the founder of Improve. Together with a stellar lineup of improv comedians, acts, and performers, the evening promises to tickle your funny bone.
But this event isn’t just about laughs; it’s a celebration of creativity in all its forms. In addition to side-splitting improv and stand-up, you can expect a delightful blend of music and mindfulness woven into the fabric of the evening. It’s a unique experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional comedy shows, ensuring a night that’s not only entertaining but also enriching.
So, mark your calendars for a night of pure hilarity and joy, where laughter takes center stage, and you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience. Join us for an event that’s not just a show but a celebration of life, laughter, and the limitless possibilities of the human spirit!
Details:
Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, EST
Where: Zoom (link to be sent out on morning of event)
Live on your favourite device!
Registration will be open until the day of the event, but tickets are selling out fast! Be sure to register early to secure your spot.
If you have questions about any mindfulness programs or registration, please email us at: info@mindfulnessstudies.com
