YAY! COMEDY PROGRAMMING
The YAY Foundation is dedicated to using stand-up comedy as a therapeutic tool for mental and emotional well-being. Recognizing the barriers individuals face in expressing themselves authentically due to fear of rejection, we empower participants to embrace vulnerability by teaching them the art of stand-up comedy. By drawing on their lived experiences as material, participants share their stories on stage in a supportive environment where they receive positive feedback, fostering meaningful discussions and community connection.
Our comedy programming consistently receives outstanding feedback. In surveys of more than 100 graduates, our workshops and performances earned an average experience rating of 4.8 out of 5. Beyond the fun, research shows measurable improvements in mental health outcomes—including greater confidence, reduced stigma, and stronger feelings of connection—demonstrating the powerful impact of laughter and storytelling.
COMEDY PROGRAMMING (Partial List)
-Veteran's Comedy for Montana (Yearly since 2021)
-Gay Widow's Association of Canada, (Yearly since 2022)
-World Aids Day for Colorado Health Foundation (Yearly since 2023)
-Laugh RX Program for National Alliance on Mental Illness, Orange County 2024
-YAY Day! Comedy Los Angeles (Yearly since 2024)
-Yarrow Collective Comedy Show, (Yearly since 2025)
-NAMI West Virginia for Mental Health Stigma Reduction, West Virginia, 2025
-YAY! for Recovery, for individuals in recovery, Durango, Colorado, 2025
-Pasadena YAY! Day, Pasadena, 2025
-Radiant Future for Asian American Mental Health, Orange County, 2025
-The Center, Comedy program for LGBTQ seniors, 2025
YEAR ROUND COMEDY PROGRAMMING
Building on this model, we have expanded our programming to bring year-round arts initiatives to towns that lack resources. We have successfully launched year-round programs in Aztec, New Mexico; Libby, Montana; and Loveland, Colorado—ensuring that rural and underserved communities have ongoing access to the transformative power of the arts.
YAY! For Recovery, Durango
it was actually healing. The process of writing and performing helped me strip away noise and focus on my story. Creating a five-minute set pushed me to let go of stuff from my parents and really see what mattered to me. And in the end, it was funny. Watching others do the same was even more powerful. What better way to heal than to laugh?”
— Joel, Participant, American Legion
Veteran’s Comedy Program
Kalispell, MT
“It was exhilarating. It was a feeling that I haven’t had since the military. Plenty of thanks to The YAY! Foundation for helping us in a way find a meaning in life, beyond what doom and gloom comes from the military. I am so grateful for this opportunity.”
-BRYAN, PARTICIPANT, VETERAN COMEDY PROGRAM 2023
Comedy Programming for Libby High School
Can’t Compliment YAY Foundation enough for what they bring to mental health through comedy! The Interactions with the teens are very meaningful! We just put on a show to a packed house and we cannot wait to bring Aidan back for more!
-ZACH SHERBO, Lincoln County Public Health
*The success of this program led to a launch of Year round wellness through comedy intiative for Libby, MT
Community Comedy
Grand Junction, CO
“Being able to talk about really important things for the community to hear, really was healing for me and I am think it was important for other people to hear that as well! ”
-TAYLOR, PARTICIPANT, ACTION IS SAFER WORKSHOP