Comedy for a Cause: ZenProv Improv Group Supports Northern Arizona Hospice Promise Foundation

“The work we do is intense. If you can’t laugh in hospice, you’ll cry all the time. Laughter gives us the space to keep going.”
— BJ Miller, M.D., palliative care physician
 

Humor and hearts collide when Zenprov Comedy takes the stage for “Comedy for a Cause,” a one-night-only improv show benefitting Northern Arizona Hospice’s Hospice Promise Foundation.
 

The event will take place on Saturday, July 12, at 7:30 PM at the Mary Fisher Theater in Sedona, located at 2030 W. State Route 89A. Tickets are $30 and available now at SedonaFilmFestival.org or can be purchased directly through the Verde Valley Hospice at 928-458-4796 or in person.
 

Proceeds will directly support the Hospice Promise Foundation’s mission of providing compassionate aid and fulfilling final wishes for hospice patients in the Verde Valley.
 

Zenprov Comedy, Sedona’s acclaimed improv troupe, will bring their signature blend of unscripted humor and sharp wit to raise both funds and spirits. Inspired by the philosophy that laughter is the best medicine, the troupe promises a high-energy evening packed with audience participation, spontaneous scenes, and joyful moments—all in support of a deeply meaningful cause.
 

“In our community, Northern Arizona Hospice is working every day to ensure patients live with dignity and comfort when a cure is no longer possible. This event allows us to continue that promise,” said Carolyn Porrata, Account Executive at Northern Arizona Hospice Cottonwood.
 

The Hospice Promise Foundation serves as a financial lifeline for local hospice patients and their families, covering essential non-medical needs such as rent, utility bills, emergency home repairs, groceries, and personal care items. The foundation also fulfills final wishes and funds programs like children's bereavement camps and public education on end-of-life care.
 

With your attendance, you're not just buying a ticket to a comedy show—you’re making a difference in someone’s final chapter. Your support helps carry out the mission: “It’s all about helping more people.”
 

“I think the health and coping benefits of laughter are woefully underappreciated,” said Derek Dujardin, the director of Zenprov Comedy. “Besides being 50X more powerful than morphine as a natural pain killer, laughter can stimulate organs, lower blood pressure, ease stress and boost the immune system. Plus, the whole world feels on edge. So, any chance to share a common laugh with your neighbors feels extra medicinal. This show is also for caretakers who need a release from pressure with a big laugh. Come join us.”