In celebration of Black History Month and of improv, this improv wokeshop, run by the fabulous Monica Gaga, is for improvisers who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and their allies. You don’t have to be a Person Of Colour (POC) to join us.
Do you feel like giving improv a go in a safe environment? Maybe you already love improvising but feel like you aren’t always truly ‘seen’ in your scenes? Or perhaps you find yourself put on the back foot or ‘othered’ on stage. Perhaps you’re an ally and keen to play nice and supportively, without prejudice. Or you’re sometimes scared, whether BAME or non-BAME, to make daring offers, through fear of racist readings or repercussions.
Then this wokeshop is for you! It welcomes people who identify as BAME and non-BAME people who want to learn how to play more inclusively with BAME improvisers.
Improv is for everyone! The London improv community is making strides into creating a level playing field for all-comers but there’s still a ways to go. This is where DDG comes in. We strive to ensure we provide an inclusive atmosphere that honours our whole improv community.
So, whether you are a seasoned player or a newbie, this three-hour BAME workshop will give you the chance to flex those ethnicity ownership and inclusivity muscles, to meet like-minded improvisers, and to ask the difficult questions of our experienced teacher.
What does the workshop cover?
• Some typical ethnicity-facing dynamics that arise when improvising.
• Classic ethical and non-ethical BAME-centric suggestions and offers you might encounter.
• What ‘doing an accent’ means and how to navigate that moment.
• A tick-list of warm-ups and exercises to get allies in an inclusive frame of mind.
• Fun mini-jams where we unpack the best (and worst!) of our instincts and ideas.
You’ll learn:
• How to side-step / call out basic traps when on stage and in the moment.
• How to play and amplify your truth so people hear and acknowledge you.
• How to spot an ally.
• How, as an ally, to be a more inclusive player.
• How to deal with conflict in a scene – and when to choose your battles.
• How to own your unique brand of ‘other’.
• What ‘woke’ means to you in improvisation terms.
• How to be a generally more confident player.
Who’s your teacher?
DDG Improv’s Monica Gaga. Monica is an experienced UK player and key member of London’s premier BAME improv team Do The Right Scene. She is a highly experienced improviser, show host and workshop facilitator working in a range of BAME, mixed and non-BAME environments. Monica trained as an actor at East 15 and as an improviser with Second City, Chicago.
DDG is dedicated to creating safe space and inclusive fun for all.
Please email classesddgimprov@gmail.com if you require a bursary place.