Improv and Consent
An improv environment is traditionally a space where we embrace the word “yes.” We accept other people’s suggestions, ideas, and actions in order to develop a cohesive dynamic within the scene.
But what happens when something happens in a scene that you as the improviser want to say “no” to because it makes you uncomfortable or not feel safe?
This can range from being in a scene where a triggering subject matter comes up to being on the receiving end of an unwanted touch.
In the improv classes that I lead, I always share with each class that there is no scene or exercise that anyone should ever feel the need to “power through,” just because the audience is laughing, or the scene is otherwise in a flow. If someone is uncomfortable and doesn’t feel safe, we need to develop tools to protect one another and keep our improv space one that is fun, freeing, and free from harm.
In every class of mine, I always give my students the permission to end a scene, or to step out of it so that it can be redirected to a more comfortable space. But sometimes that can take courage that feels hard to pull up.
One of my favorite tools to use in a scene when someone brings up a subject matter or says something that borders on offensive to me is staying in the scene and in character telling their character “tell me why you said that.” Or “What do you mean by that?” “Let’s change the subject.” These are clear and direct words that are intended to let my scene partner know, I don’t have to “yes and” that. I’m not going to “yes and” that. You brought it up. You expand on it. And if the scene falls apart, it falls apart, and then it’s a learning opportunity for everyone involved.
It’s not always that simple when it comes to physical touch.
Some improvisers are very physical and want to create character dynamics through touch. Other improvisers are a “hard no” to physical contact within a scene. But how do we know who is who if we don’t talk about it?
I’ve started implementing Physical Boundaries conversations in the beginning two weeks of each of my classes. We start class with our usual warm-ups, and then we grab a chair, sit in a circle, and have an open conversation about what we are and are not comfortable with in a scene.
This first happened organically and unplanned in a Grounded Improv scene. Someone shared that they weren’t comfortable with physical touch, and I realized there was no way any of us would have known that if they hadn’t stepped forward to share. And I realized it was my responsibility as the leader in the space to provide everyone the opportunity to share.
At first, I thought sharing our limitations would limit our scene play, but the opposite happened. Because we now had a better understanding of each other’s boundaries, the scenes became more tactile than any I’d seen before. Some scenes had no touch at all, while others were at the other end of the spectrum.
I share with everyone at the beginning of these conversations a few things:
The Playful Stage has set boundaries around any touch involving the “bathing suit areas.” This isn’t allowed. Period. Nor is any sort of pretend violence or kissing.
When people share their boundaries, it’s not up to anyone else to ask them why they have those boundaries, or if they can push at them. That’s not our business or our job. What is our business and our job is keeping everyone feeling safe.
Ultimately this isn’t about limiting each other, it’s inviting each other in and giving permission for what does and doesn’t feel good.
But what happens if you’re in a scene and you forget what this person shared about their physical boundaries? What if your character really wants to put their hand on your scene partner’s shoulder?
We can ask.
So often we are told “no questions” in improv. I don’t buy into that. There are, of course, some questions that don’t add to a scene, but many of them do. And if you can’t remember if your scene partner is okay with someone touching their shoulder, you can ask, in character, “Is it alright if I touch your shoulder?” And your scene partner can respond, in character, with what feels right for them.
Sometimes we may have shared at the beginning of class “I’m totally comfortable with any kind of touch in a scene,” but then we find ourselves in a scene that our character is uncomfortable in. And suddenly the improviser’s “yes” is the character’s “no,” and that’s okay. We can say these things to each other, offstage or on, and know that the intent isn’t to punish anyone or make anyone feel bad, but it is to empower ourselves and to use our voices to ensure our own safety.
Over the years, I’ve been in many scenes that I’ve received uncomfortable touches in. Sometimes they’ve been in a class. Other times they’ve been in a show, in front of an audience. It really is a horrible feeling to be in an improv scene and have someone touch your butt without permission while the audience laughs. It’s an even worse feeling when you don’t feel like you can say anything about it because you fear you’ll be seen as “too much” or “too sensitive.” Or to feel like you can’t say anything because there’s a power dynamic that you don’t have the higher status in.
Screw that.
Let’s open up the conversation around improv and consent, so that when we play, we know we are playing in a safe environment where each person’s voice and boundaries matter.
