It Can Happen Anytime
Note: This is a reprint of a previous Improv Illusionist newsletter. If you’re not receiving my email newsletter, you can subscribe here and get my “Learning the Improv Illusion” series as a bonus.
Welcome to another issue of the Improv Illusionist Newsletter, a monthly update from me, David Raitt, with a focus on the improv skills of environment, object work, and physicality in character and performance. I’m honoured by your interest.
Happy Groundhog Day!
Like Bill Murray’s day from the famous movie, does it seem like your improvised scenes keep repeating over and over?
Same locations? Same arguments? Same static, non-action conversations?
Try more physicality in your scene work! It shakes up your shows, creates new ideas, and takes you to new creative places.
Physicality is what we’re all about here. I’m grateful for your reading and spreading the word.
What we’re also about is safety. And when people get more physical, it can be a little dangerous.
Today, let’s look at how we can deal with these situations while we’re in the middle of a scene…
If you feel unsafe
Safety (both physical and emotional) is everyone’s issue.
We often think it’s only about predatory creeps working out their personal issues on stage. But even when working with improvisers we trust, the potential for injuries or inappropriate contact can happen anytime, to anyone.
How do we handle it when it comes up in the middle of a scene?
Imagine you’re playing a superhero, and someone off the backline lifts you up to make it look like your flying over the city. What if you’re nursing a previous back injury and don’t want to aggravate it?
Or, imagine you’re playing spouses with a partner, and they lean in for a hug or kiss. What if you don’t feel like doing that?
In these situations, on stage in front of a crowd, what do you do? Can you do anything?
YES you can. Let’s explore some of the issues and then look at how to protect yourself…
Check-ins
First, know that a lot of problems can be prevented through check-in conversations with your fellow players before the show or class. You can warn each other of current injuries, sensitivities, and potentially hazardous actions or topics.
It doesn’t have to take long – just a few seconds around your warm-up circle. But it creates a much safer space for you all to play in.
Consent vs. Yes-And
“Yes-And” is often misunderstood (especially by newer improvisers) to mean you must go along with any offer presented to you. That’s NOT true, and it’s sometimes exploited by players to create situations where they get a laugh at your expense.
Patti Stiles’ book Improvise Freely has a lot to say about this point. I think it should be required reading for everyone in improv.
As a performer, your consent to participate in any situation on stage is the most powerful thing. Consent beats Yes-And, every time.
Ideally, your scene partner should ask for consent to lift you up, or make intimate contact with you. Even if they don’t ask, you always have the freedom to say No.
Remember this.
Others may not notice
When they crop up, most safety issues are unintentional. The person playing your spouse may not want you to be uncomfortable. They’re just playing their understanding of a spouse’s behaviour.
They may be in their head, planning their next move, and not notice the effect they’re having on you. The same with others watching from outside the scene.
Waiting for someone to intervene leaves you open to the possibility that no one will. And while you’re waiting, the unsafe situation continues.
So, you do have to be ready to protect yourself. What can you do?
Signal your partners
Within your company or team, you can create “safety signals” — phrases or gestures to indicate you’re not feeling safe. I’ve seen some improvisers use arms crossed at the shoulders, or taking a knee.
Practice this in workshops and rehearsals. Everyone should understand what a safety signal looks like and how to behave in response.
This could include backing off on an offer, jumping in to shift the focus from the player, or editing the scene.
Deflect or Refuse the offer
In character, you can suggest doing something different, or say even say No outright. This doesn’t necessarily kill the idea. (Although, as Patti says, some ideas should be killed.)
There are lots of reasons a character might say No. The superhero says, “I think I’ll walk today.” Or one spouse doesn’t feel like kissing because the other didn’t finish the chores.
With a little creativity, you can always address the unsafe behaviour and keep the scene going.
Communicate directly
If the player continues to behave unsafely, you may have to tell them directly. Make good eye contact and tell them to stop.
Some players try to do this under their breath, or while covered by an audience laugh, but you don’t have to.
Leave/End the scene
You can always give your character a reason to leave. Or you can simply end it anytime by calling “Scene!”
If you’re observing from outside the scene, watch for signs that a player is in distress, and be ready to edit as necessary.
Report unsafe situations
“Reporting” simply means telling someone about what happened. It doesn’t have to be accusatory or negative.
It’s important to do this to raise awareness among your fellow players. That helps prevent similar situations occurring in the future.
Consider having post-show check-ins so everyone can review. Give everyone a chance to express one point of celebration and one point of contention.
Depending on the severity of the event, you may consider a more formal report to your producer or company representative. This is especially important if there’s a pattern of unsafe behaviour.
Final caveat
In writing this, I acknowledge my cultural privilege as a white, straight, cisgender male. I know I may have blind spots and unconscious biases that may be reflected in my writing. I hope this at least extends the conversation about safety, and provides tips that could help others. Please send me your feedback.
For more information, please check out my list of Emotional Safety Resources. And please share any others you come across to help it grow.
Things to Try
Ideas for exercises or scenes to work out your physical improv skills.
- Celebrate Groundhog Day with a repeating scene like “Scene 3 Ways”. Perform a short scene once to start, then repeat it with different layers like a genre, a different setting, or specific types of characters.
- Or, celebrate Groundhog Day with a scene about the groundhog! There’s lots of potential for great physicality: an outdoor setting, an odd creature, high stakes if the weather will continue to be bad.
- Educate yourself. Does your improv company have policies and procedures for safety issues? If not, what can you and your fellow players do to help create some?
More for the Improv Illusionist
Improv Exercises for Physical Skills
Improv Books — Reviews & Recommendations
Improv Podcasts — Reviews & Recommendations
News and Links
The Best Body Language Acting Exercises
Physicality is a key element in improv performance. This article lists some good Body Language training exercises for actors.
Learning to Improvise – Pantomime
Tips for improvising objects and interactions. Note the excellent advice on Tension versus Intensity.
Question(s) of the Month
How do you handle tricky or unsafe situations in the middle of a scene?
Hit Reply and share. I love to chat with readers, and it gives me ideas for future content to help the whole community.
Do you have any feedback about Improv Illusionist, either these newsletters or the website? Send me a message or just reply to this email. Seriously, I read and respond to everything.
See you again on March 2nd!
Ex nihilo!
Dave
