This page will detail SOME of the many ways you can make your improv practice, no matter where it is, more inclusive. This will be a living page because there are so many ways to cover. I don’t intend for it to be comprehensive, as I’m not sure anyone could say a resource on this actually is and also there are MANY lanes here that I do not belong in!
This page is not complete! It will be added to!
But I hope to start off with some of the less commonly covered topics, and add more over time. I also hope that you might consider suggesting an addition (either the content, or the topic – anything greatly appreciated!)
Clean the Air
If you do improv in a shared-air environment without ventilation or filtration, this means it is not safe for all individuals (or, many would argue, any). The reason you clean the air is the same as why we filter the water: many diseases are carried in the air, some of which are very risky for healthy humans – and especially so for those living with chronic disease, immune-compromised, and so on.
Why is this important
For your improv to be inclusive to high-risk and vulnerable populations, or ANYONE not wanting to risk infection, the air needs to be cleaned to a reasonable extent.
While an individual can wear a respirator, one-way respirators (when a space is shared with non-masking individuals) is not very safe. Protection does not last as long, and it also requires “perfection.” If anyone bumps a strap or jostles a seal, for example, the wearer can be infected extremely quickly.
“I thought the pandemic was over.” Unfortunately this is not the case, and we’ve confirmed a lot about how damaging the virus can be. The WHO states we are still in a pandemic (they only ended the early “emergency” part of it). We are also, statistically and by definition, still in a pandemic due to death statistics, and spread, confirmed by wastewater measurements.
What you can do
Outdoor improv: If you can do improv in an outdoor space, this is the best possible option. Many improvisers in this demographic would only feel safe in an outdoor venue. Look for outdoor stages, spaces with large “gazebos” or similar to see if you can rent or use the area for your practice or class. I live in a very small region and there are at least three such spaces within 10 minutes.
Maximize ventilation: See this page for information on how to maximize ventilation in your space, if possible, and use a (portable) CO2 monitor if possible to assess.
Clean the air: Clean air using filters or devices like Far-UVC that kill virus particles. The appropriate device depends on room size and occupancy.
- Portable HEPA: You can use a tool like this Filter recommendation tool to find out what device would be appropriate for your event (including noise ratings). There are new devices and options coming out all the time.
- Far UVC: This is a far newer technology, but many new devices have emerged especially in the past year or two. It is incredibly effective, more so than HEPA, and also silent/more portable – but can be more expensive. There are portable devices available (I have this one which can completely clean a large space in about 10 minutes). Because this is such a new and quickly growing space, I recommend doing a recent search or even send a message to one of the organizations linked below for a recent recommendation.
- Far UVC and HEPA: Even newer devices use both Far UVC and HEPA filtration, which sounds very encouraging regarding efficacy. This is a very new space, so like above I recommend doing a recent search. Here is one example of such a device.
Of course, there are other layers of protection that would improve safety even more. But if the air in a space is sufficiently cleaned then it is a lot safer for those who do wear, for example, a respirator (much less dangerous in the event of a brief accident).
Online: Classes and shows can be offered online using tools like Zoom and livestream services. If you absolutely cannot include the above population in your in-person events, consider offering (and supporting) online access. And let us know here at FlatImprov! That’s our niche. If you need any assistance in this space, please contact me. I am also getting inventive and creative about how these resources are delivered (both classes and shows) and the most relevant curriculum and noting style for our online-only community! Ask me more.
Clean Air resources to learn more:
- Indoor airborne risk assessment in the context of SARS-CoV-2: WHO indoor air risk assessment PDF
- Resource site: Clean Air Stars (see steps page)
- WHN
- Why do aerosol infection prevention (videos)
- Clean Air Expo videos 2023
- Far UVC
- About Far UVC (pdf)
- Resources about Far UVC
- Recent study (linked in article) that Far-UVC inactivated 99% of virus in regular environment
- Recent study of eye safety
What this does
Various measures can improve air quality greatly by removing viruses, mold, pollen, volatile organic compounds, and more. This will reduce illness in all improvisers who attend. It, of course, also makes your practice accessible to those most at risk or otherwise need to avoid infection and illness.
Related advice
Avoid language such as “post-pandemic,” “after covid,” “in real life” for in-person classes, and similar. This is non-inclusive language, and is also technically incorrect at the present time. Thank you!
Please let me know if there are questions and I will add more to this resource soon on other ways to be inclusive!
Neurodivergent Improvisers
Here is Jen’s podcast on Neurodiversity in improv. It includes many ways to approach taking or teaching improv with neurodivergent improvisers. It is mostly through the lens of game-of-scene style improv and autism/ADHD, but can be applied to other forms and neurotypes.