> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://news.transitionnetwork.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Laughing Allowed! The Slapstick World of Neighbourhood Activism. - URL: https://news.transitionnetwork.org/laughing-allowed-the-slapstick-world-of-neighbourhood-activism/ - Published: 2015-04-07T23:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2021-10-13T12:34:59.000Z - Author: Transition Network international - Tags: Blog, #Import 2026-03-17 *Republished from* [*Building Resilient Neighbourhoods*](http://resilientneighbourhoods.ca/archives/1258?ref=news.transitionnetwork.org)*.* In the fall of 2014, Building Resilient Neighbourhoods’ Rob Wipond and Michelle Colussi teamed up with [theatre director Will Weigler](http://www.willweigler.com/?ref=news.transitionnetwork.org) and a group of citizens from Victoria West and other neighbourhoods to create and perform the comedic theatrical show, *Laughing Allowed! The Slapstick World of Neighbourhood Activism.* The idea was to playfully explore what we do and don’t like about getting involved in our local communities, and to use physical comedy as a different way of beginning discussions about some of those issues. The creation process, show and post-show discussion provided lots of fun and lots of learnings — captured by Red Willow Video Productions. In the near future, they plan to release a small handbook for how to develop a similar kind of show in your own neighbourhood. To see the show in full click [here](https://vimeo.com/114177136?ref=news.transitionnetwork.org), or to see it broken into scenes, see below. Jack warmly welcomes everyone to sing and play some “Songs about My Neighbourhood.” Fred, Jena and Stephen try to figure out what those mysterious little red balls are for. Katrina and Janet’s chin puppets don’t mean to gossip, but we all know who they’re talking about… Jackie hopes to keep her fellow volunteers engaged, and then waits for some promised help from Rayna. Katrina and Janet’s chin puppets remember how the neighbourhood used to be… New group member Judith has a difficult time following the line of discussion between Kristl, Rayna, Anke and Steve. Kristl and Steve can’t seem to stay focused on Rob’s meeting agenda overview that’s captivating Judith, Rayna and Anke. Jena really, really, really wants to attend to Rob’s meeting agenda overview that’s captivating Rayna, Anke, Steve and Kristl. A short email from Anke takes on a life of its own when passing between Jack, Judith, Fred and Stephen. Katrina expresses what it feels like to not have a voice. Rob and Anke try to reach agreement on the optimal agenda. Katrina and Janet’s chin puppets warn about what the neighbourhood is coming to… Neither Kristl nor Michelle want to “work.” But maybe they don’t have to… The whole cast gets a little help from their friends. Jackie and Rayna declare that working with everyone else is simply impossible. But then the whole casts declares that together we can do the impossible! Right? **Laughing Allowed! Credits** **Director & Stage Director** Will Weigler **Project Co-facilitators** Will Weigler & Michelle Colussi & Rob Wipond **Created and performed by** Katrina Brown Michelle Colussi Elaine Cross Rayna Graham Janet Gray Steve Gray Fred Jamin Stephen Lewis Jackie MacDonald Jena Mailloux Jack Meredith Judith Scott Anke van Leeuwen Kristl Vickson Rob Wipond **Other contributors to the script creation process** Heather Chatwin Matt Christie Simon Graham Diana Nielsen Nedjo Rogers **Script Editors** Will Weigler & Rob Wipond **Prop construction** Katrina Brown & Will Weigler **Marketing intern** Jena Mailloux *Laughing Allowed!* occurred as part of a broader collaborative engagement project in Greater Victoria being led by Building Resilient Neighborhoods, a partnership of the Community Social Planning Council and Transition Victoria. *Laughing Allowed!* was created with support from the [Capital Regional District](https://www.crd.bc.ca/?ref=news.transitionnetwork.org) and [Vancouver Foundation](https://www.vancouverfoundation.ca/?ref=news.transitionnetwork.org).