Sensitive Subjects

Play the situation as though everyone in the room is currently going through the sensitive situation or is of the same race, nationality, or gender of the character you might otherwise avoid playing.

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater. It’s likely unavoidable that at some point you’re going to have to play in a scene about a sensitive subject or to play a character that you might find difficult to portray in a sensitive, respectful fashion due to your own limited experiences. Instead of advising you to avoid those situations entirely—which is a perfectly valid option—an alternative is to play the situation as though everyone in the room is currently going through the sensitive situation or is of the same race, nationality, or gender of the character you might otherwise avoid playing. If you have that in the back of your mind, you’ll naturally play with the respect toward the subject or the character that you should. That’s your improv tip for the day. Stay safe, stay healthy, love each other, and I will see you next time.