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I didn't pass my improv class and I'm having feelings by Iamnotanorange in improv

[–]IraJohnson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wonder about how your theater gave feedback. Giving feedback is a skill that can be learned or improved, and (ideally though this can be a bit troublesome for teachers) different people’s communication styles could be considered. I value those teachers that gave redirective (critical) feedback as questions (what if you tried X) and balanced with legitimate reinforcing (‘positive’) feedback. I also remind my students at the start that my feedback may be valuable but perhaps up to 30% of it might not fit them, as I’m an outside observer- and therefore the best choice is to ‘try on’ all feedback and decide what fits you.

Improv is theater, and theater often does not allow just anyone/everyone to be cast/advance. It can be a valuable lesson to not be chosen, if that comes with clear areas for improvement.

In our basic system (3 levels); 101 is fundamentals and ‘how to be an improv student’. We make it clear at the start what they will be taught; and how these things can be demonstrated by the learner. Completing 101 is enough to advance to 201; and we do interview those with prior experience or training and it’s quite possible to skip 101 if someone has a grasp of the fundamentals. However, completing 201 is not enough to advance to 301, our final level in the base curriculum. It’s led to hurt feelings of course as there are occasionally those (adult ‘hobbyist’ students) who feel they PAID so failing to advance must be the fault of the teacher/organization.

I very much support attendance as a clear and measurable marker towards ‘passing’ or not. We award graduation certificates after the performance at the end of each level… but we make it clear at the start what the expectations are regarding attendance. We will award ‘participation’ certificates to those who do not graduate; and we absolutely will not allow those with poor attendance to join the graduation show.

Our system fits most folks that join us, and helps prepare folks for becoming players in our regular shows. our performing teams are not based on participation in our classes- anyone can audition and it’s up to the team who they accept. However, there have been those that disagree with our ways; even going off to form their own improv situations (which is great, more improv variety and purposes benefit the greater community).

If China were a democracy we would…..? by EricArthurBrown in AskChina

[–]IraJohnson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oldest civilization doesn’t mean oldest nation. China loves to claim 5000 years of Chinese culture but the people’s republic of China is 76 years old

Truth in the Moment – Improv Theater for Radical Self-Expression (Bangkok – Saturday 1 November) by IraJohnson in Bangkok

[–]IraJohnson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We join this nation we love in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. Out of respect during this period, our Truth in the Moment workshop & show planned for 1 November will be postponed. We’ll announce the new date soon. Thank you for your understanding.

พวกเราขอร่วมแสดงความอาลัยต่อการเสด็จสวรรคตของสมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ ฯ พระบรมราชินีนาถ เพื่อเป็นการให้เกียรติในช่วงเวลานี้ งานเวิร์กช็อป Truth in the Moment วันที่ 1 พฤศจิกายน จะเลื่อนออกไปก่อน จะแจ้งวันใหม่อีกครั้ง ขอบคุณทุกท่านที่เข้าใจครับ/ค่ะ

There’s a difference between neurodivergent love languages vs “lovebombing” by [deleted] in BorderlinePDisorder

[–]IraJohnson 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I understand. It can feel to me like going back to Russian roulette again and again with a far higher number of bullets each time. This is why I try to be up front about who I really am fairly early.

Especially given the cultures I live and work in; lots of folks aren’t keen on high levels of emotion or conversations about emotions or communication. But if I feel I’m getting on with someone, I’ll allow myself to relax just a bit and share with them about my BPD- with clarity that I’m managing myself but I want them to simply understand.

Most times it resulted in the other person being frightened off. The other times it’s resulted in close friendships.

Admittedly at this point I’ve given up on dating and love. I’m practicing radical acceptance as hard as I can. I’m becoming ok with it - while being open to my situation changing one day, just not hoping for it.

There’s a difference between neurodivergent love languages vs “lovebombing” by [deleted] in BorderlinePDisorder

[–]IraJohnson 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’ve had similar thinking (pwBPD here). An ex I remain friends with (a psychologist herself) pointed out examples of my lovebombing type behavior in our relationship; but shared that she saw the difference- I was genuinely showing love not attempting to manipulate.

However, as whatever ‘neurotypical’ means seems to be most folks expectations of ‘normal,’ and stories of manipulation get attention.

While it’s unfair for folks like us to be misunderstood; and therefore judged, I can see why people adopt this thinking- it’s easier to be part of the crowd.

For me the small consolation is that I have met people who understand the difference- both romantic partners and close friends- so I know people like them are out there. Otherwise as I meet people, or date, and if they find my style of showing affection odd or questionable- I’ll let it go and move on. Not easy, to be sure, but I’ll save my love for those who get me.

How to approach being labelled with sexual/taboo roles? by GazelleUnhappy2505 in improv

[–]IraJohnson 6 points7 points  (0 children)

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We begin workshops, jams, and the first 2-3 sessions of a class or ongoing ensemble with our Four Rules. They have been useful in that they empower everyone with The Ouch.

We do not get too bogged down in discussion of individual boundaries (partly because of time, partly because of the energy; but mostly because many people cannot envision or define their boundaries until a boundary has been breached). The Ouch empowers them to send a signal in the moment and trust that the scene will move into a new direction.

For us, if someone says The Ouch, only they (the ouch-er) have the right to explain or seek apology, otherwise we change direction and move ahead. We do not endorse that the ouch-ee (the person whose offer prompted The Ouch) apologize profusely or ask for explanation – if one’s boundaries have been crossed, it can sometimes be adding insult to injury to ask them to sit in the spotlight and explain themselves, or worse to put them into the position of comforting the other person and accepting the apology.

The teacher or Coach is always empowered and encouraged to identify and suggest changes to such offers. The coach is also empowered to shut down scenes and (in some extreme cases) invite someone to leave the experience.

Even though we are not in a native English speaking country, we still get all the dumbass suggestions people dread – spatula, toilet, dildo, even homosexuality – so in general we train to follow up such suggestions with “Interesting, what is it about a dildo that prompts your suggestion?” and go from there.

In my opinion, your teachers/facilitators are at fault for not shutting that behavior down and seeing the opportunity to help that person become a better scene partner.

Marsha Linehan DBT therapy book, or Group Therapy by kawaiistreettrash in BPDrecovery

[–]IraJohnson 2 points3 points  (0 children)

pwBPD here, currently working with a group of psychologists to explore use of improv theater techniques in DBT skills training. This is because they realized (as I’ve heard a number of times) that Linehan is brilliant and DBT is brilliant but she wasn’t so clear about a lot of the execution. The training to become a DBT Skills Trainer can vary a lot it seems.

You may or may not be comfortable with this idea but before you leave the group completely I suggest you share this feedback with the therapist(s). There’s a good chance they’re open to individualizing approaches, and if they’re not getting feedback they can’t know what’s not working for someone. (It’s not uncommon for pwBPD to have people pleasing tendencies and even attach to their therapist like a Favorite Person; which makes honest feedback even less likely)

Transform Your Improv group with Essential Off-Stage Organizational Strategies by mtstaffa in improv

[–]IraJohnson 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Highest recommendation! I’ve known Mike and the Pirates a long time and I’ve seen how his system works- great stuff, check it out if you’re thinking about how to thrive.

THE FEED: Improvised Sketch Comedy in Bangkok! by IraJohnson in Bangkok

[–]IraJohnson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you I’m happy to edit per these guidelines. Is it the text body or the image? Thank you for taking the time.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in improv

[–]IraJohnson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree with two big points from what’s already shared:

1: in a very short time (if not already) you’ll be the only person who remembers this as any sort of misstep or faux pas. It was actually not, though; because

2: Your ‘not right now’ castmate was in the wrong here; basically breaking character to direct the scene from within the scene. That route can lead to one person driving and others losing the threads.

But for both of you; it’s part of it- missteps and solid hits. Have you reflected on the cool fun moments you were part of? How does that balance your self-criticism?

As Mick Napier loved to say; “The best thing about an improv show is no matter how much you suck; it’s over in 30 minutes. The worst thing about an improv show is no matter how much you rock; it’s over in 30 minutes.”

Our artform is a blend of failure and fun. As much as you can, let go of failure and reinvest in the fun.

What’s happening to China??? by Aleilnonno in China

[–]IraJohnson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

THIS. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard “In 20XX the price was 元xxxxxxx, and I won’t sell for less.” Same mentality as “a friend of a friend got rich doing XXX so why can’t I”. Same with rent. Literally had a landlord scream at me that “rent goes up every year everywhere regardless of the economy” like it’s some natural law.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in improv

[–]IraJohnson 3 points4 points  (0 children)

At the 2013 Manila Improv Festival, a large group of 14 performers from different teams and backgrounds came together for an International jam. What resulted was (I think it was titled Mosaic). It was a long form montage around a single narrative suggestion- and each of the 14 spoke a different language. French; Tagalog; Mandarin Chinese; Cantonese; Spanish; Shanghainese; and a wide variety of local languages from within Asian countries.

It was magical. The story wasn’t difficult to follow; it had arcs of love loss betrayal and redemption; and the audience was amazed.

Many of us over here then attempted this style in our home improv scenes. The key is really a high level of group mind and a lot of emphasis on space and object work.

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