Levels of Intimacy and Scene content.

Improvisation is a theatrical form founded on spontaneity and creating narratives. In developing the skills and performance of improvisation, we require space to explore creativity in an atmosphere that supports freedom of artistic expression and is non-judgmental. However, for a student or performer to step into the creative unknown, we must acknowledge this is a leap of faith and to do so one needs to feel safe and supported. The reality is every person in the room comes with their own ambitions, abilities, and lived experiences and we do not know the complexities of each individual.

The following guide was created to help you decide if a workshop is a good choice for you. The guide summaries the types and degrees of Contact, Intimacy and Content that may present in a workshop. This is not a definitive list or a guarantee, as we cannot predict what will happen in a spontaneous moment. This is to provide you with a scope or framework for you to use in your decision making. Although this guide creates an understanding around levels of Contact, Intimacy and Content, it does not replace an individual’s consent and no student or performer is expected to play a scene where they, personally, feel unsafe.

Each level builds on, and includes all components of, the previous level.

  • Physical contact: Low contact, friendly, supportive, or nurturing touch, and no contact stage fighting. E.g., behaviour between kids playing or parent / child. Examples of but not limited to: High fives, linking arms, shoulder to shoulder close together, messing hair, arm around shoulders, supportive or nurturing hugs.

    Content: Very mild impact. E.g., children’s programming, after school specials, and fairy tales.

    Topics: Appropriate for a family audience. Specifically excluding adult themes e.g. sex, graphic violence, drug use and explicit language.

  • Physical contact: Low contact, touch supportive, friendly, or nurturing and no contact stage fighting. E.g. behaviour in a formal setting or professional work place. Examples of but not limited to: Handshakes, a body distanced greeting hug or high fives.

    Content: Mild or moderate in impact. E.g., shows or movies parents may take their early teens too such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Old Yeller, Fiddler on The Roof, Sound of Music.

    Topics: Language appropriate for a professional or formal setting. Although specific topics such as religion, sex, violence, and drug use may not be openly discussed in a formal setting in a theatrical context they may be touched upon but not delved into. For example, a character may have a strong point of view on a subject that sheds light on the character, but that topic is not necessarily the central topic of the scene or there may be strong forces impacting characters’ lives that are not acted out. E.g., poverty, religion, sexuality, prejudice, persecution.

  • Physical contact: Medium contact, touch limited intimate and no contact stage fighting. Think behaviour in social settings with friends, family, partners, dating. Examples of but not limited to: Touching arms, shoulders, hugs, holding hands, dancing with one another, kiss on the cheek or lips, or other agreed upon touches with which acquaintances would be comfortable. All fighting in slow motion with distance between actors.

    Content: Mild, moderate, or strong in impact. Think Jane Austen, Neil Simon, Samuel Beckett, Noel Coward, Agatha Christie, Henrik Ibsen.

    Topics: All topics may be explored as relevant to the scene, and comfortable for the improvisors. This might include strong points of view and emotion, more explicit language and content, swearing, flirtation and sex.

 

The following levels are for performers who understand the dynamics of the rehearsal room and stage performance and who are aware of their personal boundaries and are comfortable communicating them. The following work is always approached with respect, communication, and trust. The work develops with a shared understanding and agreement of the creative goals and approach.

  • Physical contact: Medium - high contact, touch medium intimacy and low contact stage fighting. Examples of but not limited to: Kissing (peck or passionate), closer hugs, holding, sitting on laps, representation of nudity, carrying another person, being carried and stage combat without contact such as fake slaps or punches.

    Content: Mild, moderate, or strong in impact. Think Shakespeare, Arthur Miller, David Mamet, John Osbourne, Peter Schaffer, Sam Sheppard.

    Topics: All topics available for exploration, which might include strong points of view and heightened emotion, more explicit language or content, swearing, violence, flirtation, and sex.

  • Physical contact: This level is for improvisor who are comfortable with medium to high level physical contact and intimacy and contact stage fighting. Examples of but not limited to: Kissing, intimate hugs, full body contact, representation of nudity, nudity, carrying another person, being carried and stage combat.

    Content: Strong or high in impact. Think Streetcar Named Desire, Reservoir Dogs, Game of Thrones, Succession, Black Mirror, Deadwood, Keith Johnstone.

    Topics: All topics available for exploration, which might include strong points of view and heightened emotion, more explicit language or content, swearing, violence and sex. This may include characters or content that may be offensive to some audience members.