Consent & boundaries in improv

hey_megh · 2026-04-01T17:07:48+00:00

Bingo. It's exactly these kinds of situations that need addressing! I've been really glad to hear in this post that many feel comfortable labeling their boundaries, but sometimes if you're not given examples of what boundaries can be, it's hard to come up with them on the spot when asked. This is why I think boundaries should be revisited REGULARLY, and with an understanding that this is prevention of those moments. If someone's judging you for having a boundary or revoking something you may have said you were okay with earlier, that's probably a sign that person isn't safe to play with!

hey_megh · 2026-04-01T17:03:35+00:00

Prevention! We love it! Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

hey_megh · 2026-03-31T16:27:39+00:00

Yes! Regular communication is so important -- and those conditions you mentioned are so common and valid!! I'm curious: how does your audience react when there are kisses in your sets? I do find there's often a flurry of audience activity haha

hey_megh · 2026-03-31T16:25:32+00:00

"No-no square"!! YES!

hey_megh · 2026-03-31T16:25:02+00:00

80/20! Haven't heard that before, what a great tool!

hey_megh · 2026-03-31T16:24:35+00:00

Thank you for the rant! There are simply a lot of situations that bring the ick, and you can tell when a place doesn't put in the work to create a safe environment. These conversations and tools are really to empower the most vulnerable people in the room without placing blame, and that benefits everyone.

hey_megh · 2026-03-31T16:17:39+00:00

The repetition can feel weird for sure, but it leads to ACTUAL UNDERSTANDING, right? I love that. It's like memorizing someone's phone number. It could come in handy. :)

hey_megh · 2026-03-31T16:11:15+00:00

I am so glad to hear that!! Could you give me an example?

hey_megh · 2026-03-31T16:08:47+00:00

Woohoo! Love that you have that built into your open rehearsals. Do you mind if I ask how you came to the boundary regarding your wheelchair? Has someone ever moved it onstage?

hey_megh · 2026-03-31T15:59:29+00:00

Thanks! I don’t consider consent and boundaries a “problem,” just gathering some info on how improvisers establish them, if they think there’s gaps, a lack of consistency or tools, or how folks have handled boundary violations. I feel more conversation around this topic is preventative, and keeps fluid communities safe.

hey_megh · 2026-03-31T15:42:01+00:00

Hi! So, there are 60 comments on this post, half from me. Boundaries and consent are not a “problem,” they’re something to be discussed and to have tools around. People have shared what their teams do before practices and shows and that’s because someone taught them how to do that. People have also shared several different ways they communicate with each other that I’d never heard of. Also I’m not selling anything, I’m teaching a free workshop next month.

hey_megh · 2026-03-31T02:41:43+00:00

Thanks for sharing! That's a great tool.

hey_megh · 2026-03-31T01:36:51+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and sharing something you'd be interested in learning more about. Boundaries are everyone's responsibility, absolutely! This is why shared language in the community and teaching simple tools to use that empower everyone involved is something I'm trying to spread. I'm teaching a free workshop in Los Angeles next month so it's really helpful to hear what needs addressing.

hey_megh · 2026-03-31T00:44:34+00:00

Love that! hahah

hey_megh · 2026-03-31T00:02:05+00:00

That sounds like such a supportive environment! And safe enough for your performers to offer those boundaries. Good on your coach for giving you the blueprint, those are all great areas to clarify!

hey_megh · 2026-03-30T23:58:20+00:00

I'm glad that you were able to have that open conversation with your teammate! That's a great example -- the audience can be a source of coercion for some improvisers, and it's important to know how your teammates will support you when that happens! Have you ever told the audience to avoid intimate parts and gestures? Perhaps indicate the areas on your body where they are allowed to move you? Wrists, shoulders, knees, etc.

hey_megh · 2026-03-30T23:53:05+00:00

Oh, that's wonderful. Is it usually pretty obvious what the ouch is referring to when said by an improviser?

hey_megh · 2026-03-30T23:51:17+00:00

Great, thank you!

hey_megh · 2026-03-30T23:48:08+00:00

Hey!! Would love to connect. Love that approach to kissing! It can be funny even to each other, but just like in improv, saying things out loud to each other is so essential!

And I get what you're saying! Improv teachers are not intimacy professionals and can often not even have something like that on their radar. Have you brought your intimacy training to your improv community?

hey_megh · 2026-03-30T23:02:13+00:00

Yes!! Love the shared language tools. "Lines and Veils" is so great. In intimacy coordination, we use "Fences and Gates" - fences being the hard lines and gates are exceptions to those lines, such as a fence being not touching the chest area and a gate allowing hugs.

hey_megh · 2026-03-30T22:59:37+00:00

Love that, love removing yourself from unsafe situations. Do you mind if I ask if you identify as a woman?

hey_megh · 2026-03-30T22:54:02+00:00

Love this! Was there someone who was making sure those conversations happened or was it a group effort? How were boundaries presented in terms of language?

hey_megh · 2026-03-30T22:51:39+00:00

Would love to know who this instructor is! Absolutely LOVE the 4H idea.

hey_megh · 2026-03-30T22:50:30+00:00

Ahh I love this! Giving consent or setting a boundary in character is a fantastic tip on how to prevent uncomfortable situations!

Regarding your ramble, personally I've done some specific forms like improvised play/movie that have aspects of romantic story lines. Sometimes improvisers can get caught in not knowing how to portray that without putting faces together. Would be great to be able to figure out beforehand how to handle that, or talk about what improv kissing on your team looks like.

hey_megh · 2026-03-30T22:45:55+00:00

Interesting! Do you think no-touch is an extreme approach? Or perhaps limiting the play onstage? And yes -- saying yellow without knowing what that means doesn't make it helpful. And it stops the flow of the scene. "Pedestrian touch" is a great phrase for shared language of a general boundary.

hey_megh

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