Go ahead … let out a long, loud, gut-wrenching belly laugh! Ahhh… doesn’t that feel great? We at Riddlesbrood Touring Theater Company know that laughter is not only good for you, but that it’s even more beneficial when shared with others. But, don’t just take our word for it … listen to the experts.
Although we often crack ourselves up, (yes, we think we’re funny and hope you will, too) … scientists have observed that most people do not laugh alone. People laugh up to 30 times more when in groups. Why is this important? Well, researchers have speculated that laughter evolved to boost social bonding and cooperation. They claim that, through the shared experience of humor, individuals acquire a feeling of being part of a meaningful whole. Humor breaks tension in a fun way that creates open communication, lowers stress and anxiety, and improves morale.
So, when you’re challenged with the task of planning a group outing, activity or party … whether it’s a team building exercise for your department at work, a celebratory gathering for a birthday or anniversary, an important reunion for your high school or college class, a social function for your book club, or whatever the occasion, remember that humor is a fantastic way to facilitate bonding among your guests … and inviting Riddlesbrood Touring Theater Company to spread laughter throughout your group is a wise choice, because humor can even make you smarter! According to Dr. Lee Berk, an associate professor at Loma Linda University in California, who spent nearly three decades studying the effects of laughter; the act of enjoying humor increases endorphins, sending dopamine to the brain to provide a sense of pleasure that changes brain wave activity which amps up memory and recall. Therefore, the next time you find yourself laughing at someone’s corny jokes, rest assured that you’re not wasting time … you’re improving your memory!
While humor may sharpen your powers of recollection, according to Dr. Stuart Brown, M.D., founder of the National Institute for Play, play has been proven to “foster belonging and encourage cooperation.” Through extensive research, Dr. Brown, who speaks, consults and educates organizations, corporations, universities and public policy makers about the importance of play in our lives, discovered that humans are, “uniquely designed by nature to enjoy and participate in play throughout life.” Indeed, we troupers of the Riddlesbrood Touring Theater Company highly recommend our shows as one of the best ways to engage in play and merriment! Whether you simply observe and laugh or you choose to become an active participant in the festivities, a Riddlesbrood show is like therapy for your mind and body.
As a matter of fact, a form of counseling known as laughter therapy, has been shown to have a positive impact on one’s mental state. According to an article in Medical News Today, our brains are positively affected by emotionally rewarding and authentic happy signals … which produce an enhanced mood and greater resilience.
The positive physical benefits of laughter have also proven the old adage: laughter is the best medicine. According to research conducted in Japan and published in the Journal of Epidemiology, individuals who, “never or almost never laughed, had a 21-percent higher risk of heart disease than those who laughed daily, and the prevalence of stroke in those who rarely laughed was 60 percent higher.”
Based on these enlightening discoveries, Riddlesbrood Touring Theater Company’s esteemed founder, Clyde P. Riddlesbrood, wholeheartedly prescribes our unique form of humorous medication ... a Riddlesbrood show! So, book a show now, and call him in the morning! (Just kidding … you can call him anytime.) Of course, we’re not scientists, therapists or doctors, but we’re confident that one of our funny murder mysteries, game shows, or custom productions will stimulate your guests’ funny bones in ways that will expedite bonding and camaraderie. How do we know this? Riddlesbrood Touring Theater strives to please every one of our audiences, because we can customize each show to appeal to your guests. Although our shows are highly interactive, if you have some introverted guests, we won’t pick on them … promise! If some of your guests are eager thespians ready to play, we’ll encourage them to participate. Although scripted, our shows include a great deal of improvisational comedy, so we can easily tailor our jokes to appeal to any age or type of audience.
“Our client is our censor.” explained Ryan Long, (a.k.a. Clyde P. Riddlesbrood), creator and Executive Director of Riddlesbrood Touring Theater Company. “We want everyone to laugh at a Riddlesbrood show, so you tell us what type of humor your guests prefer. I describe our humor as a bit of Saturday Night Live, mixed with a tad of Monty Python with a generous helping of Zucker Brothers’ style comedy.” (Think clever, silly “groan-worthy” puns, as in the movie, Airplane). “Our humor is easy to understand.” Long added. “You don’t have to think about it. It’s not high-brow or elitist.”
“A Riddlesbrood show is the perfect way to both entertain and promote bonding among your co-workers or party guests,” added Armand Marino, Touring Director for Riddlesbrood Touring Theater Company. “As a performer, I enjoy being part of a positive experience for an audience. Live theater has a profound effect on people, whether an audience is crying or laughing. I believe it’s easier to make people cry than laugh, but we’ve perfected our shows so well, we achieve both … our audiences laugh until they cry!”
Riddlesbrood Touring Theater Company has been making people laugh and bringing them together through humor for the past eighteen years. Call 866-276-6399 or visit our website for more information or to book a show!
By Karla Shantz