Montreal, November 1, 2023 - The Fondation Dynastie and Just for Laughs, two pillars of Montreal's cultural industry, are proud to announce their new partnership aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion within the comedy industry while offering unprecedented opportunities to emerging talents from Black communities.

This innovative partnership revolves around several initiatives that will open new doors and inspire future comedians. First, a unique training program developed by the National School of Humor will be launched to support up-and-coming talent. Participants will have the opportunity to learn alongside renowned professionals, an essential springboard for developing their careers in the comedy industry.

A highlight of this collaboration will be the creation of a show on the main outdoor stage at Just for Laughs during the 2024 festival. This event promises to bring a dose of memorable laughter to festival-goers while showcasing talented artists who embody the cultural richness of Montreal.

Finally, this partnership will extend behind the scenes of the comedy world. It will offer opportunities to those who aspire to work in the technical and/or creative roles within the industry. By facilitating immersion in these essential positions, the Fondation Dynastie and Just for Laughs open up new career paths, while contributing to a more inclusive cultural environment.

"For the past 7 years, the Fondation Dynastie is recognized for its contribution to the achievement of the Gala Dynastie which highlights the significant contribution of Black communities in the cultural, media, and arts sectors. Consequently, a desire to do more and to provide concrete support to the next generation in their professional development became the next logical and crucial step in the Foundation's activities.” – Carla Beauvais, Executive Director of the Fondation Dynastie

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For Patrick Rozon, Chief Creative Officer at Just for Laughs, this partnership is a logical next step: “One of the pillars of our vision for the Group and the Just for Laughs Festival is to connect with Montreal’s cultural communities, to be inspired by them, to showcase them, and thus amplify the festival’s social impact. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the Fondation Dynastie to offer a unique platform for artists from Black communities to shine even brighter and share their stories with an ever-growing audience. Producing diverse and inclusive festivals and events is very important to us, and we are proud to collaborate with an organization that does exceptional work in providing new opportunities and greater representation for Black artists in Quebec's media, arts, and cultural industries.

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Laughter on stage: a unique training program 

There Fondation Dynastie is pleased to present a new training program aimed at developing emerging black comedians in Quebec! Called Rire en scène, this initiative was born from a fruitful collaboration with two giants of the industry, Just for Laughs and the National School of Humor. 

For Tracy Paulotte, Programs and Externship Manager at the Fondation Dynastie , the Laugh on Stage program represents a closer involvement of the organization within the community it serves. “We created this program with a clear idea in mind: to support and guide those who dream of making it in the world of comedy, helping them reach their full professional potential. Laugh on Stage paves the way for an exceptional group of talent, with the goal of making careers in comedy more accessible to people from Black communities. This first cohort of the Fondation Dynastie This symbolizes the beginning of a significant change. Thank you to our partners for their enthusiastic collaboration and their understanding of the importance of this program. 

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Through a practical, interactive, and immersive approach, the Laugh on Stage program will welcome 6 to 8 participants starting in February for a 9-week training course, free of charge. The training includes writing and comedy act creation workshops, as well as mentorship sessions led by industry professionals, allowing participants to gain exceptional professional experience by performing an act at the Just for Laughs Festival and/or Zoofest. 

“Laughter is a complex art, and it’s essential for aspiring comedians to develop their skills and explore their own comedic voice. Through this partnership, we aim to offer a dedicated learning space where they can hone their craft and develop their creativity. Such training is a very significant opportunity for emerging talent, and I’m convinced that we’ll see true vocations in comedy emerge thanks to this program.” – Louise Richer, Founding Director General of the National School of Humor .

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The Comedy on Stage program is for passionate comedians from Black communities who perform through sketches, videos, short segments, stand-up routines, or who have already performed on stage. Anyone wishing to hone their skills to deliver a memorable performance on stage in front of an audience and industry professionals is invited to apply online now . The application period begins today, November 1, 2023, and ends on January 5, 2024. The comedians selected for the February 2024 cohort will be announced on the website and social media of the [organization name missing]. Fondation Dynastie ", from Just for Laughs and the National School of Humor the week of January 29, 2024. 

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For more details, visit the programs page at: https://www.fondationdynastie.com/programmation/rire-en-scene 

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About the Fondation Dynastie

There Fondation Dynastie Founded in 2016, this organization actively advocates for the sustainable transformation of the cultural, artistic, and media industries to ensure better representation of Black communities in Quebec. Through various initiatives, it supports and mentors people of African descent working in these sectors, facilitating their development and professionalization. 

To learn more: fondationdynastie.com

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About Just for Laughs

A world leader in comedy and home to the world's number one comedy festival, the Just for Laughs Group has launched the careers of many talented comedians, including Kevin Hart, Jean-Marc Parent, Hasan Minhaj, Eve Côté, Virginie Fortin, and Jo Koy. Founded in 1983, the company is an international epicenter for creating multiplatform comedy content. Every year, millions of people are entertained at its global festivals, from Montreal—the world's largest comedy event—to Toronto and Vancouver, Canada; Austin, USA; London, UK; and Sydney, Australia, featuring thousands of Canadian and international comedians, from established artists to up-and-coming talent. With continuous growth in audiovisual development and production, the Group's digital and television content is broadcast in more than 150 countries and reaches an online audience of over 14 million people. In addition, the Group produces live shows and stages its own musicals. The Just for Laughs Group is behind ComedyPRO, the industry conference and must-attend event that attracts people from all over the world. For more information, visit hahaha.com 

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About the National School of Humor

Founded in 1988, the National School of Humor (ENA) is proud to celebrate its 35th anniversary! The world's first professional comedy training school, ENA passionately pursues its unique and original mission: to provide training for creators who wish to specialize in comedy as stand-up comedians, writers, or comedy screenwriters. To date, ENA has over 700 graduates, and their reach across all platforms is the most eloquent testament to its relevance and impact. They represent more than 70% of Quebec's comedy scene and are among the recipients of Olivier Awards in recent years. Furthermore, ENA's expertise is recognized throughout the French-speaking world. It is a private, non-profit educational institution (NPO) recognized by the Quebec Ministry of Education and Higher Education and supported by the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications, Canadian Heritage, and the Cultural Investments Program of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. For more information: enh.qc.ca 

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