Masking is a common behaviour for autistic and/or ADHD people. It’s a trait that can be subconscious or conscious, and one we take on to suppress natural reactions, responses, physicality or expressions. This, of course, can affect how we position ourselves in scenes if we are trying to be the voice of reason and respond naturally and honestly.
Masking can help us in improv, but also adds a challenge sometimes. With careful consideration, pondering, and a whole lot of processing I believe it can inevitably make us stronger improvisers. And maybe win improv?
This episode covers, in a mere 40 minutes of detail, the intersection of masking and playing the voice of reason in your scenes.
A future episode will infodump about our neurodivergent brains and the unusual… like identifying the unusual thing.
Refer to episode 6 for more info about neurodivergent masking and improv but instead about peas in a pod or character matching scenes:
About this podcast & links
This podcast is hosted/written/produced/etc by me, Jen deHaan, of FlatImprov.com. You can blame me for the whole thing. You can submit your questions, heckles, comments, blame, more heckles, or even a voice note on the website. Find the contact form for this podcast at FlatImprov.com/substack.
You can also subscribe to this podcast where you get your other podcasts - Apple, Spotify, Overcast, Castro, etc.
PLUGS:
I have online improv classes starting in February at World’s Greatest Improv School (WGIS) (weegis) that involves character stuff and a new form and online show format.
I have an improv show too called World’s Nerdiest Improv Show (WNIS) (weenis). Find episodes here.
TALK AT YOU NEXT WEEK, IMPROV NERD FRIENDS!
Episode 9: Masking and Improv - Being the voice of reason