“Coach, Are There Topics or Roles We Shouldn’t Improvise?”

By Nisha Chao Instagram
Photo: Guts Improv
Let’s Connect: nisha0107@gmail.com

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Every improviser eventually faces the question: “Should I go there?” This piece offers stories, questions, and tools to help you decide with clarity and care, whether you're exploring sensitive topics or deciding which roles to play on stage.

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1. What Kind of Environment Are You In?

In some environments, particularly authoritarian countries, performance groups are prohibited from portraying certain themes due to policy restrictions or self-censorship by organizers.

For instance, when I performed with Guts Improv in Shanghai, China in 2014, the organizer requested that we avoid LGBTQ topics, politics, or anything sexual. Later, even the word “uterus” in a scene led to a warning.

Although everyone knows there’s a line not to be crossed, no one knows exactly where it is. You can only guess—and improvisation often thrives on spontaneity, which can be stifled by such restrictions.

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2. Who’s Watching?

When performing for children, some improv groups must carefully consider topics like violence, sex, or gore. At Guts Improv, we’ve done shows for English-language schools for kids, and in these cases, we discussed beforehand what to avoid.

On other occasions, organizers opt not to limit content but assign teachers to accompany the audience to explain scenes if needed.

I’ve also performed for Christian organizations. Once, I played Mazu, the sea goddess in Chinese folk religion, and was sincerely reminded afterward to be careful.

These are external boundaries that you may encounter:

• “You can't do X.”
  
  

• “Please avoid Y.”
  
  

In psychology, there's a concept known as the "White Bear Effect" coined by Harvard psychologist Daniel Wegner: The more you're told not to think about something, the more you think about it. This is especially relevant in improvisation where self-censorship doesn't come naturally.

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3. What Are Your Boundaries?

As an improviser, you’re on stage to create a compelling story. Ideally, you should be flexible and open to any topic for creative freedom, but self-respect comes first. You must be honest with yourself about your boundaries.

For example:

• Some students freeze or overcompensate with jokes when a scene turns sexual.
  
  

• A plus-sized actor feels hurt when they’re referred to as "Big Fatty."
  
  

• Someone takes offense when the Kuomintang (KMT), a political party in Taiwan, is mocked on stage.
  
  

These reactions are valid, and once you acknowledge your boundaries, you can decide whether and how to stretch them. The key is to balance creative freedom with respect for yourself and your fellow performers.

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4. A Troupe’s Aesthetic, Values, and Collective Agreement

Improvisation thrives when performers understand why they're portraying certain characters or topics. If you don’t understand the character, or if you’re unsure about your portrayal, it's better not to do it.

At Guts Improv, for instance, we’re especially cautious with characters related to disabilities. Characters with ADHD or depression must be portrayed with understanding, research, and care. Without this, they often come across as flat or inaccurate.

We ask ourselves:

• Have we done our homework?
  
  

• Are we portraying the character with depth and multiple dimensions?
  
  

• Is this character essential to the story?
  
  

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5. Sensitive Topics and the Creator’s Responsibility

Some topics—such as child abuse, rape, and incest—push ethical boundaries and require extra care. These subjects aren’t necessarily off-limits, but they must be handled responsibly.

When considering such topics, ask yourself:

• Why are you doing this?
  
  

• What message are you sending?
  
  

• How are you going to present it?
  
  

Using the excuse, “I just wanted to try it” or “Everyone should ‘Yes, And’ me!” is irresponsible to both your audience and fellow performers.

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Final Thoughts: Mistakes Can Be Gifts

I’ve made mistakes as well:

• I’ve portrayed disability roles that I wasn’t ready for.
  
  

• I’ve performed explicit scenes that made audiences uncomfortable.
  
  

But I’ve learned from those mistakes. Mistakes are okay as long as we reflect on them and adjust our approach for the future. The key is to grow from those experiences, aligning our work more intentionally with our values.

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#Improvisation #ImprovTheatre #AppliedImprov #StageEthics #CreativeFreedom #RespectBoundaries #ImprovTips #TheatreCommunity #PattiStiles

About Nisha Chao