Name as you’d like it to appear:
Jada Pulley
Gender as you’d like it to appear:
Non-binary demi-woman
City you live in and/or improvise in most:
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Personal website or another project that you’d like to link to:
QueerAndFunny.com – Accepting applications through July 29.
Impro(v) Bio:
Jada Pulley (they/them) is a Minneapolis-based performance artist. They stumbled into an improv jam at HUGE Improv Theater in 2017 and never looked back. Now, they are a regular performer and producer of improv shows. Their original productions include Bad Poets Society (improvised spoken word + scenes), DUH (improvised debates + scenes), Based On A True Story (a storytelling show loosely inspired by Playback Theater), and Strangers No More (a question game with a guest + scenes). They’re currently working on an improvised solo show called Love You Too. Jada proudly serves as a director for both the Queer & Funny Improv Festival and the Black & Funny Improv Festival. When not improvising, Jada is probably playing board games, slow-blinking at their cat, or geeking out about human resources.
How does being trans/NB influence your impro(v)?
I can’t point to anything specific. Being non-binary is just part of who I am, and influences my improv in the same way that all other parts of my identity and history influence my improv. It informs every single move I make and my identity informs how those moves are interpreted by others. Marginalized people are also just more likely to be funny. This is based on my experience, but also, probably, science.
Do you play trans/NB characters often?
I tend to ask showmates not to gender my characters as women. It gets a little frustrating and dysphoric to be frequently put in that role. Because of that ask, particularly in more grounded performances that are closer to who I am, I get to play non-binary characters. Really, unless stated otherwise, my character can be assumed to be non-binary. It’s almost never ABOUT being non-binary though. It just is. Just like in life.
How do you feel about cisgender actors playing trans/NB characters in impro(v)?
Hmm, this is an interesting question that I’m not sure that I’ve come to a conclusion on. Some stories are only meant to be told by people who have lived them, so I would be wary. At this particular moment, however, I’d say that the beauty of improv is that you can be anything. I feel looser about this than I would with a scripted piece. As long as the actor is being extra respectful, I don’t think I would have a problem. Exploring gender on stage could be how someone comes to learn more about their own identity, which sounds pretty rad to me.
Besides announcing it, how might you know/show a character is trans/NB?
Just like in real life, you simply might not. We walk among you! Mwaha.
How do you feel about playing different genders generally, in terms of naming gender and of expressing it?
I don’t mind playing any gender as long as I get to choose it. If I am more often made to be a woman, simply because of how I present as femme, I get a little frustrated. I ask my showmates not to gender me as a woman specifically because of this pattern I noticed when playing with groups that are not intentionally queer.
On the other hand, I absolutely love playing a bro. Especially a bro, or another overtly masculine person, who has rejected traditional and toxic masculinity. It’s hard not to fall into those patterns, regardless of gender, even when given the freedom of limitless imagination, but I do my best to avoid or challenge them.
All my favorite characters go to therapy off stage.
Does your local impro(v) community know/understand your gender? If so, how has that been in terms of acceptance/understanding?
My community respects my gender. Minneapolis is a pretty queer city, so luckily it’s not a foreign concept to most. Even when they mess up, or ask questions, the baseline of respect is there and that makes all the difference.
HUGE Theater in particular has taken strides to be proactively welcoming towards queer folk. A small group of queer improvisers, including myself, started the Queer & Funny Improv Festival (heavily inspired by the Black & Funny Improv Festival, started by John Gebretatose and Alsa Bruno, which I also produce). HUGE has been an amazing supporter of both festivals. In addition to these annual events, HUGE hosts monthly identity-based jams and has standardized the practice of asking students and performers to discuss their boundaries and care instructions before playing together.
I feel very lucky to be a part of this community and to have my identity be not only respected but celebrated.
What are some things that teachers/directors/other performers can do to make sure trans/NB improvisers feel safe and welcome?
I really appreciate the practice of asking for boundaries and care instructions before playing together. It offers a place for improvisers to say how they want to play and what would make them feel comfortable BEFORE jumping in and just assuming that no lines will get crossed, even if we don’t know where the lines are. Even with this practice, lines will still inevitably get crossed, and the reaction to that is critical to maintaining trust. Whatever happened needs to be acknowledged and corrected in a loving and graceful way, that does not alienate the person with the boundary or ostracize the person who made a mistake. This is easier said than done, but it is so important for it to be done.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of other things that could help.
- Be open to feedback.
- Make sure that being queer is never the punchline.
- Actually cast us! Preferably more than one at a time! You might have to go out of your way to seek us out, but it will be worth it.
- If you do cast us, make sure you do your best to set us up for success and provide support.
- Don’t leave it to the trans improvisers to have to advocate for themselves alone. That’s exhausting. Instead, be an ally, without having to be asked, even if you have to ask how! In fact, you should probably ask how.
Thinking about examples of trans/NB characters across all media (Impro(v), TV, Movies, Plays etc), what are the best trans/NB characters or stories you’ve seen depicted? The worst?
Pass (just having trouble thinking of examples at this moment).
Who do you look up to/admire as a trans/NB person in impro(v) or the world generally?
I look up to every trans and non-binary person living as themselves in a world that doesn’t make it easy to do so. To thrive, or even just survive, is an admirable act of resistance. Joy is resistance, and that is far from futile.
What’s something special that you and/or trans/NB performers have to offer?
Trans and non-binary people inherently question traditional norms. Our existence implies infinite possibility. We are practically imagination personified. I think that’s pretty special.
Is there anything else you’d like to say about being trans/NB or impro(v) in general?
The Queer and Funny Improv Festival in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA aims to highlight the diversity of queer comedic voices, spread the joy of improv as an art form, and create a space where all can enjoy themselves while being their full selves. We are accepting applications for performers, teachers, and to be a part of the festival ensemble until July 29th. Stipends and limited travel assistance is available. Please spread the word and apply! I’d love to hear from you. More information at QueerAndFunny.com.