What is contagious but can cure the deadliest of ailments?

It is reportedly seen in animals and is considered one of the best things in the world to experience...

It has been documented in history books as leading to the death of a few lucky people...

It is completely free and shared by all cultures? 

Give Up?  

Laughter!

They say Laughter is the best medicine and I must say from personal experience that I feel better and have less problems when I am around laughter- or maybe I don't care about the problems anymore but isn't that what it is all about... our state of mind? So if Laughter is so great, shouldn't we take it more seriously? The American cancer society has. It recognizes laughter as a form of treatment for cancer patients and it's called "humor therapy".

The SeemonkeeS, a Central F lorida Improv Comedy troupe, uses Humor therapy and sees Cancer as a laughing matter. They volunteer their time at the Ronald McDonald House, Hospice and other benefits throughout Orlando. Improvisation is defined by Wikipedia as "the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and ... this can result in the invention of new thought patterns... and/or new ways to act". No matter which side of the stage you are on, or what age you happen to write on your profile, their talent brings hope and joy to many who haven't laughed in a long time. Comedy itself is a great medium but Improv takes comedy to a whole new level. It is part of the SeemonkeeS charm. Anyone can regurgitate what someone wrote for them or perfect timing in a monologue but with improv you have no practice, "do overs" or writers handing you a script. Your co-performers are your "writers" of sorts and as a team a unique skit is born with each juicy suggestion from the crowd. Improv is a true talent where comedy owns vulnerability. The SeemonkeeS chemistry enables each members talent to reach levels superseded by any one member. It is such a joyful experience to see each of them weave a tapestry of skill into a work of art. The SeemonkeeS are mastering improv with each of the four determined members. Their goal is to be trendsetters in the community while building a foundation for budding talent to reach full bloom, all the while engaging the community and giving of themselves as best as they know how. They have performed throughout Orlando and most recently booked several shows at the Plaza Theater and I was fortunate enough to be a part of that show. I say a part of because at a SeemonkeeS show, you are not just an observer, you are a part of the performance. Whether it be through blurting out suggestions or acting in a "moving bodies" skit, you laugh with everyone on and off stage stage. It is a truly entertaining experience. 

Founders Mojavi Sans and Q Greene saw Orlando as the perfect place to grow their love of improv and are at the forefront of bringing this artistic and creative platform to the Central Florida area. Mojavi Sanzs' world experience from being the son of an Army drill Sergeant and a Puerto Rican house wife, along with thriving in the entertainment industry as a DJ, jump started his passion for bringing Orlando a fun, high energy, and clean form of improv. Q Greene's passion for the performing arts started when he was a little boy and would re-enact scenes from the Cosby Show for his family of seven. Being the middle child of five, he learned the value of dedication and teamwork early and embraces this quality in every performance. Mojavi and Q joined forces and started the SeemonkeeS in 2008. LaterTom Grimmer a former Rock Musician turned finance guy for Hospice and John Tiliakos, an experienced greek improvisor from Chicago, joined the SeemonkeeS team.  From Mojavi’s repertoire of an air headed cheerleader to a Q's fondness of  "Johnny Ringo", a pretty boy body builder with a bad "Rocky" accent, it seems no risk is too big for the SeemonkeeS to take on and that is something we can all laugh at!

Go to www.theSeemonkeeS.com for booking information, performance dates and excerpts of past shows.

By Kim Ashdown

Kim Ashdown is a self-taught dreamer who was born in a little beach town called Flagler, on the eastern coast of Florida. Kim took to the beauty around her as soon as she was able to hold her first starfish. Throughout her childhood, Kim developed an appreciation for her majestic surroundings. She would often sit in trees for hours with imaginative stories and homemade forts, or scour the oceans edge to find a mosaic of treasures hidden along the path. Years of artistic expression made it clear that Kim's life would be centered upon her passion for what adventures life has to offer. After high school, Kim attended University of Central Florida which lead her to living out a dream as a Whale and Dolphin trainer. Kim is now a full-time senior trainer at one of the top Marine Mammal Zoological Facilities in the world. She currently lives in Orlando, Florida but nonetheless calls the entire world her home. Through traveling over 18 countries in her lifetime, and 10 of those being within one years time, Japan holds a special place in her heart. She lived in Tokyo for 6 months and by this she really LIVED. Kim taught English on Japan's version of Wallstreet by day and would intentionally get lost on her walk home hoping to find a story to capture on her camera within the remote edges of temples and skyscrapers by night. Kim has just begun to truly live her adventures to the fullest, and is using her cinematographer spirit to compel others to dream. Kim is currently involved in commercial work, shorts, documentaries and video and travel journalism. You can learn more about her craft at mosaicedge,com