Adult Library Programs

Summer & Year Round Library Shows Live & Online Options!

Flexibility is key. I can do any of my programs:

Live-In-Person

Virtual Live Stream

Virtual Recorded Video

I am open to other options as they become available.

Let's chat today!

Learn, Laugh, and Let Go: Interactive Stress Relief Show! Robert Rivest takes a humorous look at modern day stress and what we can do about it. Using mime, comedy, insight, and interaction Robert offers both "comic relief" and practical stress relieving techniques. With Robert's down-to-earth sense of humor and engaging style, audiences find stress reduction natural and easy. His closing interactive series of movement and laughter helps everyone get back to work, school, or home feeling calm and refreshed.

How we handle stress affects every part of our lives!

Laughter is the Best Medicine: Highlights the best of Robert Rivest's 20 year career as a master mime performer, comic actor, improv artist and laughter/stress relief expert. 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 adults & seniors 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.

Summer 2026 Library Shows & Workshops 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.

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. Adaptable for children, teens, adults and staff.

"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

Wellness, Laughter & Entertainment for Seniors

with Robert Rivest

Robert Rivest’s most popular presentations for seniors are

“Laughter is the Best Medicine”

“The Art of Living Joyfully”

“How to be Happy in Difficult Times”

“Laughter is the Best Medicine” is a fun 60 minute show for seniors. Robert Rivest includes humorous stories from his childhood, classic mime skits, and comic improvisation taken from audience suggestions. Robert also shares some insightful tips on using breathing, movement, and laughter, as a way to cultivate more happiness and joy in our lives.

“The Art of Living Joyfully” is a 60 Min senior program that is as entertaining, funny, and uplifting, as it is educational. Robert Rivest shares light-hearted stories of what led him to develop The Rivest Method of Joyful Living. He includes an interactive segment on daily practices that can help us feel healthier, happier and more joyful in our senior years.

“How to be Happy in Difficult Times” for seniors, 60 Min Program with inspirational stories, humorous tales and practical tools on cultivating happiness even on our darkest days. Robert Rivest teaches us how to develop a "happines practice" and healthy mindset that can carries us through the ups and downs of senior life.

Robert Rivest’s background is in the performing arts (mime, dance, theater and improv), the healing arts (mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, tai chi, qigong), and the art and science of laughter (humor, comedy, laughter yoga & wellbeing laughter.) Robert’s presentations combine elements of mime, humor, mindfulness, stress relief, improvisation, and wellbeing laughter.

Robert Rivest also offers workshops for seniors in:

Mime & Improv for Seniors

Mindfulness, Meditation & Breathing Exercises for Seniors

Tai Chi, Qigong & Mindfulness in Motion for Seniors

Wellbeing Laughter for Seniors

Laughter Yoga & Chair Laughter Yogafor Seniors

(He can certify you in Laughter Yoga!)