Welcome to part 2 of my series of blog posts about my 2019 new year’s resolution to meet men from Grindr. An odd thing to put on a professional improv website, perhaps, but it’s turned into more of an eye-opening journey than I’d anticipated. I think that a big part of learning to improvise is … Read more
I feel I should begin this post by explaining why I’m posting about a gay sex app on my improv blog. It might seem salacious, or completely irrelevant, but I’ve actually learned quite a lot about myself as a person and as an artist by using this app. I’ve also learned a lot about communities … Read more
The word gender has become a bit complicated. To some people, it just means whether you’re a boy or a girl, or what parts you have. Academically, it means the set of behaviours or feelings associated with one’s gender identity, which can be male, female, trans, non-binary or a host of other things. As an … Read more
The talk: when and how to have difficult conversations with your group, class, or community. 5 quick takeaways: Listen with an open mind Check your ego at the door Establish rules and systems for behaviour Say what needs to be said; it’s worth taking the time If somebody is being talked over, shift focus back … Read more
What it means (to me) to be trans Although I’m quite open about being trans, and my views on gender in general, I rarely speak (unbidden) about the actual process, decision-making, or deeper implications. In truth, it feels a bit like over-sharing; and yet I’m compelled to write about it now. I often feel that … Read more
Privilege and diversity in improv- it’s not just about money Fast ideas to make sure everybody feels good: Ask how people are doing, even if it’s just for a few seconds per student. Make sure everybody who wants a go gets one. If your lesson plan includes pile-in type games*, balance them out with inclusive … Read more
Short-form* improvisation is awesome. It’s at the heart of what we do as a team, and I’d like to tell you about why it’s great. It’s fun. The fast and furious nature of a good short-form show means that players can really focus on having fun (and being funny) in the moment. The biggest and … Read more
There have been a lot of articles and posts from around the improv world lately about gender in improv, and particularly things we can do to make sure our companies and classes are equal opportunity. It’s lovely that there’s so much attention and concern about improvisers being and feeling safe and the need to speak … Read more
This is really something I can’t say enough times, both as an improviser and in my day job teaching and conducting music. The idea that talent is inherent and people are either good at something or they’re not is wildly unhelpful and really misleading; nobody is good at anything without a significant amount of practice, … Read more
This isn’t really a blog post in the traditional sense, but a re-posting of a letter that I recently wrote Colin Mochrie, on the occasion on his daughter’s coming out as Transgender. He replied, and re-posted on his facebook; a really heartening conversation amongst improvisers ensued. His immediate response is below. Dear Colin, I’m a … Read more