easylaughs was formed in Amsterdam in the spring of 2005. Its intention was to have regular, high-quality, shows and build an improv community. In the years since we have performed weekly shows and taught courses and workshops to thousands of eager students. 

 

The group formed out of an existing group with a small following called Problem Solved, who had been performing at Cameleon Theatre in Amsterdam West. As our popularity grew, and with the desire for a regular Friday night slot, we moved to the Crea in central Amsterdam, a stone’s-throw from the red-light district. We started renting the Muziekzaal (music hall) for its more casual, cabaret-style which was better suited to improv than the theatre. At the Crea, the cultural hub of the University of Amsterdam, not only could we continue our popular, regular open workshops, but we also had space to increase our teaching opportunities.

 

In 2012, the Crea uprooted to a new purpose-built building on Roeterseiland and as part of this, they specifically requested that easylaughs move with them. As part of the move, our weekly performances changed to Saturday night for a while, but soon after we returned to our favoured Friday-night slot. The relationship between the venue and the group continues strong to this day. 

 

easylaughs has been the only Netherlands-based group consistently running classes and workshops in English over the last 15+ years. Previous members of easylaughs include names such as Peter More, Emma Wessleus, John Mabey, Anne de Graaf, Kiki Hohnen, Herman Gambhir, Jochem Meijer and Anna Greaves. Many people who have been through our programs have gone on to great things, forging their own paths in creative and talented ways, and taking our lessons with them and applying them to their daily lives.

 

Our group offers a wide variety of courses and workshops, and in 2011 we increased our offerings to include stand-up comedy courses and performances, helping launch the careers of many of the rising stars in the Netherlands and further afield. Since then we've expanded our offering to include a wider array both in-person and online.

 

In recent years, easylaughs has gone international, having been invited as guests in shows and festivals in Spain, Sweden, Finland, Latvia and Russia. Members of easylaughs have performed and taught all over the world in places all over Europe, America and Australia.

 

Even during the great pandemic of 2020, easylaughs continued, taking our shows, courses and workshops online when no alternative was possible. Ever adaptable, the spirit of improvisation allows us to not only continue our story through troubled times but helps us through whatever the future has in store for us and our community.

 

easylaughs has become a core of the Expat community in Amsterdam, with friendships formed, collaborations born and valuable lessons learned by people of all walks of life. Our focus on community and giving back is what makes us unique within the city. We've always focused on empowering others to be the best they can be and creating an environment where people can explore their own ideas and create something new. As a group, our alumni range from complete beginners wanting to try new things to bespoke corporate workshops and training targeted at companies who have specific goals in mind. We welcome anyone and everyone to join us on this path and hope to see you at one of our workshops soon.