Since 1996, SCHOOL OF LAUGHS Educational Programs (formerly Bonzai Comedy) has made positive youth development a priority in school assembly programs. Utilizing their performance skills and Mark’s Masters degree in counseling/psychology, they create an exciting and lasting impression on students and teachers. By presenting clear and engaging lessons within the framework of comedy, the audience is captivated and focused from beginning to end. Themes can include character building,  life skills, safe and drug free messages, motivational / goal setting philosophy, conflict resolution, obesity prevention and more!  All shows are performed  with highly developed circus skills, storytelling and character work.

These educational programs have been awarded numerous grants from foundations that include the American Lung Association. The programs are an exciting collaboration with comedy juggler Mark Bunnell and musician Andrea Terry. They have received rave reviews at such conferences as the Annual Northern California Tobacco Education Conference, San Mateo Prevention Conference and Berkeley Youth and Adult Health Conferences.

All programs are age appropriate and follow California Department of Education’s Safe & Drug Free guidelines. To reinforce message and provide accountability, these programs offer pre and post study guides.

“Excellent way to reach the kids, get their attention and give them solid information. I appreciated the emphasis on self-empowerment and critical thinking in response to advertising.

— Christina Kowalchuk/8th grade Humanities

“Never before have I seen students so completely mesmerized with a performance. The show was fast paced with great information and very-very funny!”

— Ken Richards/Principal