Interactive production “The Happiness Gym” explores community and well-being

By Niara Singleton and Jadyn Hymowitz

Blog Content Contributors

AUSTIN- People often go to the gym to work on their physical health, but what would it look like to do the same for happiness?

That question is at the center of “The Happiness Gym,” an immersive, interactive experience that invites audiences to participate rather than observe. Instead of sitting in the dark watching a performance unfold, audience members move through the space, interact with others and take part in guided exercises designed to influence how they feel in real time.

The concept presents happiness as something that can be practiced in a structured, repeatable way, similar to a workout.

The experience draws inspiration from research explored by Ken Weitzman, who became interested in positive psychology, the study of how people can actively build and sustain happiness rather than only address negative emotions. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Weitzman, like many others, experienced personal challenges and began questioning his own sense of happiness. He turned to research to better understand the issue.

To gain further insight into the production, director Kara-Lynn Vaeni, who is working with Texas State University students on the project, discussed the creative process.

“Ken spent a year doing these exercises every single day,” Vaeni said. “And at the end of that year, he realized he wasn’t actually any happier.”

That outcome led to further examination of the research. Two key ideas emerged: the exercises were not intended to be repeated in the same way every day, and they were not meant to be done alone.

“He realized people have much more success when they do these things with other people,” Vaini said.

This concept became the foundation of “The Happiness Gym,” suggesting that if physical fitness can benefit from group settings such as classes or team environments, similar principles could apply to emotional well-being.

The production is structured around a series of exercises rooted in positive psychology. Instead of individual reflection, participants engage in shared activities designed to encourage interaction.

During a preview performance, the event began with performers in pink lab coats, referred to as “Lab Kens,” introducing Weitzman’s research and outlining the evening’s activities. Additional performers, called “Gym Kens,” were positioned throughout the audience to help guide participants.

Audience members received bags containing materials for the exercises, including envelopes, writing pads, pens and small trinkets. Participants grouped together based on matching trinkets and began by opening envelopes containing positive human-interest stories, which they then shared with others at their tables.

According to the performers, the exercise reflects research suggesting that consuming and sharing positive news can influence mood.

The production also incorporated smaller group experiences, where participants were guided to different areas of the venue for improvised performances. Vaeni said she drew inspiration from a New York production with a similar structure, combining intimate performances with audience participation.

In one activity, participants wrote about their “ideal day.” Performers then used those responses as the basis for improvised scenes, bringing audience reflections to life.

Additional exercises included writing letters to loved ones and contributing gratitude lists to a shared display. Many of the activities emphasized interaction among participants.

The final exercise involved pairing participants with a partner and guiding them through a series of increasingly personal questions. The activity encouraged conversation between individuals who had not previously met.

To conclude the performance, actors incorporated audience responses from earlier exercises into a group performance featuring music and movement.

“For a lot of people, the world feels very heavy right now,” Veani said. “These exercises are about building community, because people who feel connected tend to feel more hopeful, and people who feel hopeful are more likely to take action.”

The production suggests that shared experiences may play a role in shaping individual well-being.

As described during the performance, the goal of the exercises is not only to create positive feelings but also to encourage participants to share those experiences with others.

“The Happiness Gym” is scheduled to run through April 19 at The VORTEX in Austin.