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2026 Summer Library Theme Programs, Workshops, and more, with Robert Rivest

1. 2026 Summer Library Theme: "Unearth a Story"

Robert Rivest inspires people of all ages to unearth their more playful, creative side. A renowned performing artist, Robert uses mime, comedy, improv and interactive stories to humorously highlight this year's Summer Library Theme. Participants get to learn new skills in physical comedy, mime illusion, storytelling and improv games. Robert Rivest is a funny man, who sees the world in a very funny way. He is known as "The Human Cartoon” because of his highly expressive face and flexible body. This interactive show is a great way for families to lighten-up, laugh together and make new friends.

2. Summer 2026 Library Theme: "Plant a Seed, Read"

Robert Rivest humorously explores this summer’s ’farm to table - book to mind’ theme. First he entertains us with his mastery of mime, comedy, improv and storytelling. Then, Robert teaches us those skills! Participants learn to express themselves with movement, facial expressions, character voices and laughter games. We will mime audience ideas of how farms grow food that nourishes our bodies and a libraries grow ideas that nourish our minds. This interactive show, is a great way for families to share a memorable experience at their library, full of creativity, play, laughter and joy.

3. Summer 2026 Library Theme: "Place your Library Theme Here"

Robert Rivest can create a show and workshop for your theme.

Library Staff Stress Relief:

Robert shares simple tools your staff and co-workers can use to relieve stress and have a fun time together. Uplifting breathing exercises, gentle movement and interactive laughter games. “Awesome,” “wonderful,” and “great,” are just a few of the adjectives we heard after Robert’s Stress Relief program at our Staff Development Day. Even our most introverted and team-building-averse staff were won over and actively engaged during his one-hour program of movement, de-stressing, and laughter! – Laurie Cavanaugh, Assistant Director, Thayer Public Library, Braintree, MA

“Awesome,” “wonderful,” and “great,”are just a few of the adjectives we heard after Robert Rivest’s Wellbeing Laughter & Stress Relief program at our Staff Development Day. Even our most introverted and team-building-averse staff were won over and actively engaged during Robert’s one-hour program of movement, de-stressing, and laughter!"

– Laurie Cavanaugh, Assistant Director, Thayer Public Library, Braintree, MA

Laughter is the Best Medicine:

Highlights the best of Robert Rivest's 20 year career as a master mime performer, comic actor and improv artist. Through humorous mime stories, spoken word physical comedy and a zany cast of characters, Robert Rivest transforms an empty stage into pure hilarity! His true gift is his ability to turn everyday situations into hysterically funny experiences that all ages can relate to! Robert's personal stories of growing up in Enfield, CT, are hilarious. His tales of childhood, teen-hood and high school pranks as well as his life in the performing arts and “healing arts” will move you to bursts of laughter and tears of joy! This is a cultural arts comedy event that you will never forget, full of imagery rich stories, awe inspiring mime illusion, and plenty of playful audience participation. A fun way to bring the whole community together through smiles, giggles, and roaring laughter.

"Robert Rivest recently performed his Laughter is the Best Medicine show here at the Franklin Public Library and it was fabulous! Everyone in the audience, children and adults alike, were engaged, laughing along, and eager to get up and learn new mime techniques! It was so fun to see and the enthusiasm was contagious!” -Bree Comeau, MLIS, Assistant Youth Services Librarian, Franklin Public Library

Wellbeing Laughter: A fun way to feel healthier & happier

Robert's newest creation WELLBEING LAUGHTER is a wellness practice that frees the body and mind of stress and anxiety, in a playful, light-hearted way. Robert uses science-based methods such as mindful breathing, gentle movement and healing laughter as a fun way to optimize mental and physical wellbeing. This practice brings people together and unites them in a positive, shared experience of joyful laughter. Wellbeing Laughter lifts our mood in a matter of minutes and gives us a lighter perspective on life. Adaptable for children, teens, adults and staff.

"Robert Rivest's Wellbeing Laughter program was the perfect combination of entertainment and enrichment. Robert was an enthusiastic and responsive facilitator who engaged the participants with his well-paced interactive exercises. You'll definitely leave his program with a smile on your face! For libraries seeking a unique personal growth program, I recommend this program highly ." -Roxanne Starkin, Shrewsbury Public Library

Mindfulness in Motion: Creative tools to manage stress and anxiety

Many schools and organizations are incorporating mindfulness as a way to help students and staff, focus, feel centered, and improve social skills. Robert Rivest's "Mindfulness in Motion" school and library programs help teach the basics of mindfulness in a fun, entertaining way. In this program, students and teachers learn mindfulness exercises and stress relief techniques that will help them breathe, relax, focus, act, and interact, mindfully. Robert is a great presenter, he shares simple, memorable stories and humorous tales that bring mindfulness principles to life. Robert Rivest has been teaching Mindfulness Meditation, Tai-Chi, and Mime, to all ages, for over 20 years. With his unique blend of energy, creativity, playfulness and peacefulness, Robert shares the joys of being alive, in the present moment.

"I know everyone who participated felt at peace and yet rejuvenated and reconnected! Thanks so much for coming! Your presentaion was exceptional!" Maria Sulivan, The Graduate Institute

"Robert Rivest had the whole audience hooked right from the beginning, and it was great to see parents laughing and participating right along with kids. I imagine there were lots of imaginary walls and ropes in Mansfield homes last night, as kids were both entertained and inspired by your show. It’s always a pleasure for me to watch families having fun at the Library, so thanks again for giving us all a memorable experience."

-Judy Stoughton, Children’s Librarian Mansfield Public Library, CT

“We recently had Robert Rivest come to perform Science in Motion for a weekday crowd of 69. The program was unique and engaging in a refreshingly simple way. Rob uses movement and humor to demonstrate simple scientific concepts, and the best part is he is more than welcoming of audience participation.

It was fabulous to see so many elementary schoolers on stage expressing themselves in mime. This was something new for them. It was a great look at where art and science intersect. Even the grownups were fascinated by the mime techniques and tried it out! We had a very "ebullient" crowd and Rob handled the energy like the pro he is. Highly recommended!”

-Alisa Iannucci, Head of Youth Services, Conant Public Library

"We were so delighted with Robert Rivest's performance. It's wonderful to find someone with such tremendous talent who relates so well to kids."

-Jane Babcock, Director, Hadley Libraries, MA

"If you can only book one performer, make it Robert Rivest! His mime show was awesome. The audience loved him and completely enjoyed the interaction. Even the most shy were motivated to participate by his genuinely warm and friendly approach. We would have him back again in a heartbeat."

-Wendy Payette, East Brookfield Public Library, MA

"Our audience for 'Learn, Laugh, & Let Go' was transformed from a stressed out group to a laughing, merry band by the end of Robert Rivest's workshop. He seamlessly blends comedy, mime routines, and practical insights in a fun way that ordinary folks unused to relaxation techniques can easily understand and apply to their own lives."

-Kirk G. Morrison, MLIS, Adult Programming Librarian, Whittemore Memorial Library, CT

"It was an absolute delight to have Robert Rivest perform here at the Gilmanton Year Round Library! We giggled ourselves silly!"

- Pam Jansury, Gilmanton Year Round Library, NY

"I worked in the wellness industry for 15 years. I not only gave many wellness-based presentations but attended numerous ones. What I found so wonderful about Robert Rivest's program is that it is so easy to take away the idea of smiling and laughing as a strategy for dealing with stress and a means for improving your overall health."

- Carla Grimaldi, MSEd. Read/Write/Now Adult Learning Center

"If you want a program that is interactive and a lot of fun then Robert Rivest's Mime Workshop is the program for you. The participants were laughing and imitating what Robert was doing. Teens were shown how to do mime and they had a blast."

-Margie Walker, Teen Librarian, Amesbury Public Library

"We were thrilled to host 'Comedy on the Move'; everyone had a fantastic time and I've had several people ask when he'll be back! Robert Rivest is a talented and engaging mime, storyteller, and physical comedian who will captivate audiences of all ages. His interaction with the attendees elevates an already outstanding performance to a true event for all!"

-Francie Berger, Reference Librarian/Programming Coordinator Hall Memorial Library, Ellington, CT

"I love programs that entertain parents as much as they do children, and Robert Rivest's show definitely accomplished that goal. His unique mixture of mime and comedy along with a strong pro-library message, completely engaged our diverse audience."

-Patty Falconer, Hampstead Public Library, NH

" ...definitely hire him! He is easy to work with, and he is an impressive performer. Both the children and adults who came to his show at our library were laughing throughout his hour-long performance."

-Marissa Ciullo, Children's Librarian, Oxford Public Library, CT

"His energy is contagious, and I find fairly reticent kids eager to mime the mime, and we all get to learn some moves. We'll have him back again...He's always a hit.

-Amy Gavalis, Children's Librarian, Lincoln Public Library, Lincoln, MA

"I highly recommend Robert Rivest! I wish he could take over classes for a day, inspire some kids to get fit and learn to use their bodies in new ways and laugh a little more." Teen Advisor, Lunenberg Public Library, MA " Extremely gifted . . . Mr. Rivest's show was a huge success based on the feedback of patrons and staff of all ages! We loved reading was promoted!

-Laurie Meheran, Burlington Public Library, CT

"Very entertaining and inspiring! He held the adults' and children's attention well. It was the most successful show our library hosted and, without a doubt,, the show most able to bridge the generation gap."

-Mary Farrell, Children's Librarian, George Homes Bixby Memorial Library, Francestown, NH

"We enjoyed your visit immensely. The way you interacted with the kids, and made sure any who wanted to participate got to participate, was especially appreciated. Also, the way you incorporated stories into the mime performance was very unique . . . You had the kids (and adults!) attention the entire time."-Becky Manahan, St. Albans Free Library, VT"The kids - and adults - who attended Robert's show were completely mesmerized by his performance. . . There were kids as young as three up on stage with tweens and teens, and everyone had a great time . . . A mom who was sitting next to me during Robert's performance turned to me at one point and said, "He's AMAZING!! Wow!!"-Abby Kingsbury, Harvard Public Library, MA"The audience was quite captivated by Robert's mime activities! Robert was extremely professional and the children and adults were mesmerized by his performance!" Laura Sidoti, Greece Public Library, NY

Summer Library Program BLOCK BOOKING is Available in MA, CT, NY, NH, NJ, PA, MD, VA, VT and ME!