JP Improv aims to be a place where people can safely and fully explore the art of improv comedy. To that end, we have some rules to help make our community as welcoming, fun, and safe as it can be.
Do:
- Practice love, respect, and kindness towards students, teachers, and audience members.
- Be aware of your surroundings, including people around you and the physical environment.
- Be mindful of the impact your words, actions, and expression may have on others.
- Actively seek out the enthusiastic consent of your fellow community members when learning, teaching, and performing.
Do Not:
- Threaten, intimidate, or use physical violence against anyone.
- Verbally, physically, or sexually harass anyone.
- We define harassment as unwelcome behavior of any kind.
- If you know or have reason to believe a given behavior may be unwelcome or offensive to others, don’t do it.
- If someone tells you that a behavior is offensive or unwelcome, stop doing it and apologize.
- We define harassment as unwelcome behavior of any kind.
- Discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color, nationality, or ancestry; sex, sexual orientation, gender, or gender expression; disability; religious affiliation or creed; record of offenses; or veteran status.
- Use drugs or alcohol when attending class, teaching, or performing.
- Grab or touch others without prior consent.
- Take photos or record videos of others without prior consent.
What Happens When These Rules Are Broken
Because it is done without scripts or advance preparation, improv is full of both opportunity and risk.
As students of an inherently uncertain art form, we are called to approach our work and each other with humility and grace, remembering that we all make mistakes.
At the same time, we are also responsible for creating an environment where all feel welcome to be vulnerable, creative, and free. Sometimes, this means taking action to keep our space safe.
If you say or do something offensive …
You will know it. The room will get uncomfortably quiet, your face will flush, and your skin will feel itchy. You resorted to a problematic joke or scene idea because you were nervous and it was the first thing that came to mind, and now you wish you could take it back.
This happens to everyone. It’s happened to your teachers.
In this scenario, in the spirit of playing to the top of your intelligence, your teacher will likely ask you to come up with a new offer (line of dialogue, physicality, character, etc.), and continue the exercise or scene. If the moment caused harm or hurt, you may also be asked to apologize or otherwise address the issue.
If you keep saying or doing offensive things after being asked to stop …
You will be removed from class and/or performance opportunities.
If you harass, threaten, or use violence against another person …
You will be removed from class and/or performance opportunities.
Tips, Tricks, and Guiding Lights
Leave Your Inner Edgelord at Home
- There is a place for edgy comedy that pushes boundaries. JP Improv is not that place. Don’t come here looking to get laughs by shocking people.
Grace
- Remember that your fellow community members are trying to learn a challenging art form while also maintaining a high standard of behavior, all in front of an audience. Acknowledge mistakes when they happen—but remember that we all make mistakes. Extend that same kindness to yourself.
Have Fun
- The world can be hard enough as it is. Come to improv ready to find joy and laughter together.