On April 13th, the European Capital of Culture 2024, Tartu, will be filled with various workshops and events on mental health and improv themes, to highlight their synergy once again and amplify it through workshops and practices.
April 13th will be a day when both improv comedy enthusiasts and practitioners should head to Tartu by the river Emajõgi. Likewise, individuals interested in maintaining mental health, as well as big fans of humor and laughter, should set their navigation systems in that direction.
This day in Tartu, at the Atlantis building, consists of several different elements:
The morning starts with workshops that provide a good overview of how to develop improvisation tools and at the same time how to use them for maintaining and strengthening one’s mental health. There are workshops for beginners, advanced participants, and those who want to add a completely new perspective to this skill. It’s like adding a new plugin to your existing improv skills program. For this purpose, members of the British award-winning improv group Improbable, Varshini Pichemuthu and Niall Ashdown, are visiting with their longer workshop. Estonian language workshops will be conducted by our partners from the Ruutu10 team – Martin Junna and Rauno Meronen.
For an interlude (16.15-17.15), we’re opening the Living Library in the center of the Atlantis building, where for an hour, you can come to listen to the personal stories of “living books,” because the books open up when participants start asking questions. This time, the Living Library will feature books titled “Inner Critic,” “Communication Skills,” “Performance Anxiety,” “Letting Go,” and “Acceptance of Neurodiversity” and embodied by improv actors who will share their personal stories of balancing mental health and weave in their connection to practicing improv.
Laughter and humor enthusiasts, in addition to the already gathered crowd, can make their way towards this grand building in the evening because at 18.00, a performance begins that unites all the aforementioned elements. The biggest comedy of “Comedy Night in 3 Acts” is that no one knows how it will end.
Workshops by Ruutu10 (workshops are in Estonian):
11.00-13.00 Workshop: Introduction to improvisation (Information and tickets)
14.00-16.00 Workshop: From moment to moment (Information and tickets)
Workshop by Improbable:
11-16 Improv Workshop: Exploration of Improvisational Practice (Information and tickets)
From 16.15 to 17.15, the “Living Library” is a format that neatly encapsulates its essence in its name. Just like in a traditional library, you can gain new knowledge by choosing a book that interests you. The difference, however, lies in the fact that in this format, as well as in our “library,” the books are real people who tell their own stories. And on April 13th, the books will be four improvisers ready to share with enthusiasts about the connection between their mental health and improv.
Topics include:
- Inner Critic (In Estonian)
- Communication Skills (In Estonian)
- Performance Anxiety (In Estonian)
- Letting Go (In Estonian)
- Acceptance of Neurodiversity (In English!)
How does our “Living Library” work?
All interested parties are welcome, and upon arrival, you can choose the “book” that interests you the most. Groups of interested individuals will be formed, then a suitable common space is found where the “book” shares its story, leading to a discussion based on the participants’ questions. The reader plays an active role – the book responds and opens up, discussing its mental health challenges and connections to improv.
However, we ask that you arrive promptly to avoid spending valuable time waiting and organizing!
The 18.00 show “Comedy Night in 3 Acts” is something we know will feature experienced Estonian improv actors, with the theme focusing on our emotions and experiences that subtly influence our mental health daily. But that’s just the starting point, because from there, the audience takes the lead, and with their input, the performance moves into uncharted territories…
It has been found that improv can help reduce stress, social anxiety, and improve communication skills in everyday life. We aim to change attitudes and behaviors related to mental health to be more caring at the individual, community, Estonia, and European levels. Humor enhances mental well-being, improves physical health, and helps cope with stressful situations. People love to laugh, and humor is an effective way to discuss difficult topics by easing tension, reducing stigmatization, and making the message easier to convey. For the past few years, Peaasi.ee has highlighted and experimented with this connection in Estonia through the project Stand Up For Your Mind, in collaboration with various partners.
Summarizing the project’s progress so far, we can say that we have proven the link between humor and mental health through audience success and bursts of laughter. Humor indeed is a delightful tool for discussing complex topics or sharing personal challenges.
This performance is one of a kind, so there won’t be a second chance!
Please note that the events are suitable for ages 12 and up.
The project Stand Up For Your Mind is part of the main program of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024.
This project is implemented in cooperation with the British Council in Estonia to support social cohesion through the People To People Cultural Engagement program. For more information on the work of the British Council in Estonia, visit: www.britishcouncil.ee
Additionally, the evening’s realization is supported by the project: “Community Support Activities for Mental Health in South Estonia,” which is carried out with the support of the Active Citizens Fund, facilitated by the Avatud Eesti Fond in cooperation with the Eesti Vabaühenduste Liit.
