Hey all! March already?

Recently, I’ve been looking deeper into my teaching practice as I prepare to tour my Improv Illusionist workshops. (Join me at easylaughs in Amsterdam on March 17th!) I found a really outstanding book that every improv teacher should read. Review below.

But first, let’s look at this month’s big idea…

Improv Safety - A special kindness

In my continuing quest to promote safer improv practices, I often see examples of resistance.

Active resistance—refusing these practices when opportunities are presented—is rare, and usually comes from people or groups we already recognize as problematic to play with.

Passive resistance is trickier to overcome. People may appreciate safety, but still not make efforts to remember or incorporate it into a routine. Building new habits requires a conscious change.

Take pre-show boundary check-ins as an example. (I’ve included a brief how-to below.)

Especially in small communities, where groups play together all the time and know each other well, the attitude can be: “We’re all polite, reasonable people who like each other. We avoid universally triggering topics, and we trust each other not to be deliberately offensive. We have nothing to say in pre-show check-ins, so why bother?”

Is this the attitude in your circle? If so, please allow me to suggest that check-ins are a big way to be even more kind to your friends!

For instance: I’m a bald man. I started losing my hair at 18, and I’ve long since incorporated it into my identity. It’s not a source of trauma, and I’m not triggered when players in my rep company make a bald joke. I make bald jokes myself occasionally when I’m reaching for an easy laugh. It’s not a big deal to me, and I don’t consider it a boundary.

However, on those nights when I’m feeling down or vulnerable, bald jokes feel weighty. Again, not triggering, but not much fun either. What a kindness it is to be given a chance to say to everyone, before the show, “Maybe no bald jokes tonight?” And know with certainty that my team has my back.

That’s all attention to safety is, a way to be kind to our partners. Of course we won't list every potentially traumatic situation that could come up. But if we mention something specific that might hinder our fun, we all get a bigger chance to take care of each other.

Check-ins don’t have to be all negative, either. Everyone can suggest things that would especially delight them. Turn your safety practice into an opportunity for joy!

So, make the effort to have this conversation before every show. At first, you might practice with random no-go topics, just to get everyone used to speaking up and listening to each other. (And respecting those topics - no justification required.)

Once this becomes normalized, you can do it in less than a minute. It helps everyone feel supported and in the best place for a spectacular performance.

How to do a Boundary Check-in

• Everyone joins in a circle. One player asks “How are we feeling tonight?” Proceeding around to their left, each person states:
  1. Any current injuries or physical concerns
  2. Any no-go topics or content of concern to them
  3. (Optional) Something that would help them feel supported or delighted
• Finally, the entire group sets an agreed-on level of physical or intimate contact. (The Fair Play MN “A to D” framework can help with this.)
• Important: No one ever has to justify their no-go topics. We listen with respect and thank them for telling us.
• A “no-go” topic means just that - we avoid it. We have EVERYTHING ELSE to talk about that exists outside of those constraints. We especially don’t joke about it in passing.
• If you’re using delight statements, be careful they’re not actually no-go topics, e.g.: “I’d love it if we didn’t do scenes with sex stuff in them tonight.” Frame it specifically as a no-go topic.

Recognize that accidents can still happen. The audience could suggest a no-go topic - politely deflect and choose something else. Sometimes players forget - step in and edit the scene. You always control your show and can change things up to help each other out.

Things to Try

Exercises, scenes, and practices to work out your physical improv skills.

• Commit to practicing boundary check-ins with your team whenever you work together.
• Solo - Physicalizing an Object: A Viola Spolin exercise. Choose an object (animate or inanimate) and handle it. How well can you communicate the life and movement of the object? This takes use of the whole body, not only your hands. Examples include a yo-yo, pinball machine, or hamster. Get feedback from observers, or film yourself for your own review.
• The seasons are changing. Get outside and research some detail! Try watching an animal - what elements of its physicality could you bring into your human characters?

More for the Improv Illusionist

​The Improv Illusionist book - Preview and order info​

​Emotional Safety Resources​

​Improv Exercises for Physical Skills​

​Improv Books — Reviews & Recommendations​

​Improv Podcasts — Reviews & Recommendations​

Book Review

How to Teach Improvised Comedy: Using the Science of Expertise to Develop Masterful Improvisors
​by Jason Lewis
​(on Amazon)

Worldwide, there is very little training for improv teachers. Most fall into the job without practice, theory, or feedback—they simply start teaching the games and techniques they learned. In this excellent book, Lewis offers advice on effective improv instruction, including designing drills, giving feedback, and classroom management. Reading this has reinvigorated my teaching practice after 20 years. Highly recommended.

• Pros: A quick read, very practical, and supported by educational research. You will definitely pick up at least a few tips you can use.
• Cons: Seems to be available in e-book format only, and the copy I downloaded has multiple formatting and display errors.
• Best for: Anyone who teaches improv. Share this with everyone you know.

Read more book reviews on my website.

Question(s) of the Month

How does your improv company or team handle safety issues? What practices can you share?

Hit Reply and share. I love to chat with readers, and it gives me ideas for future content to help the entire community.

Do you have any feedback about Improv Illusionist? Send me a message or just reply to this email. Seriously, I read and respond to just about everything.

Back again on April 4th.

Ex nihilo!