Teenagers can immerse in this humour workshop to help express themselves better

A place where you can take a breath of fresh air, literally. Pic Courtesy/The Nest; (right) Theatre practitioner Joy Fernandes aims to help teenagers feel calm in the midst of chaos. Pic Courtesy/The Nest

Find yourself overstimulated by the non-stop bustling, dystopian AQI levels, and being online 24x7? Plug out and life to get in touch with nature. Thespian and comedy mentor Joy Fernandes brings to you "How to Ha-Ha?", a humour mentorship programme, curated specifically for teenagers to help them, help themselves.

The core vision

This mentorship has been conceptualised as a space where teenagers can slow down and discover healthier ways of expressing themselves through humour, theatre, and play.

Adolescents often feel overwhelmed with academic pressure and social expectations. "We wanted to create an experience that allows youngsters to step away from that noise. The workshop uses theatre games, improvisation, storytelling, voice work, and comedy exercises as tools for self-expression. Improvisation especially helps participants think on their feet and respond without fear of being ‘wrong'," says Fernandes, who is also a visiting faculty at FTII, Pune.
Fernades himself is an actor, director, and comedy mentor. He brings over 35 years of experience across theatre, film, television, voice training, and performance education, when he leads the workshop.

How it works

It's a seven-day workshop. The mornings are focused on games and body-and-voice-based work. Evenings often include more relaxed group activities, screenings, or reflection-based sessions that allow participants to bond and process the experience together.

On the final day, parents are invited for a small sharing session where kids present excerpts and performances made during the mentorship.

The workshop is open to teenagers aged 13 and above. No prior theatre experience is required. Parents are required to drop participants off at the venue on the first day and on the final day, there will be a short sharing session before pick-up.

About the venue

The Nest in Alibaug offers open spaces, greenery, and a sense of freedom that complements theatre and improv. Some of the most meaningful learning often happens organically during meals, walks, games, or late-night conversations with peers and mentors. It allows participants to immerse themselves in the process without outside pressures.

The desired result

"Our ideal outcome would be participants leaving feeling comfortable with themselves," says Fernandes, "We hope they leave with stronger communication skills, confidence, and a healthier relationship with mistakes and vulnerability. In a world where teenagers are constantly expected to perform and prove themselves, this workshop is an opportunity to simply be human together."

WHERE: The Nest, Alibaug
WHEN: May 31 to June 7
PRICE: Rs 35,000
TO BOOK: 7666065268/ Instagram
@TheNest/thenestalibaug@gmail.com