Why is it that women are still the minority in the improvisation culture? This is a question I’ve been asking for quite awhile.
As I explore improvisation, I’m usually using the broad umbrella definition pertaining to the art of improvisation and all of its art forms. But for this post, I’d like to explore the minority population of women in the popular mainstream improv comedy culture. Mel Brooks says, “Comedy= Truth + Pain.” We see this formula constantly in our comedy entertainment. Homer’s lovable loser character creates laughter from the pain we see in the everyday man American. Everybody Loves Raymond is another great example, as well as Steve Carell’s character in the Office. We love to laugh at the human struggle, as it allows us to release our own pain, and loosen its hold on us. An empathic exchange occurs, as we identify with these character’s truths and thus our own pain is reflected, as well.
A phenomenon I have noticed in much mainstream comedy is the female “slut/whore” archetypal character. Much mainstream comedy has become a Boys’ Club, comedy for boys and by boys. The popular 90’s comedy sketch show, “In Living Color” showcased a group of scantily clad women dancers during “half-time.” It’s like attending a Dallas Cowboys Football Game! The popular comedy central show, “The Man Show,” had a similar intermission with women jumping on trampolines, being looked at as simply objects to be goggled at. While I realize “The Man Show” was specifically a show marketed to men, this show continues to spread the formula: sexualizing women=comedy. I’ve seen more and more improv and sketch troupes across the US casting girls not because they are interested in incorporating a woman’s comedy perspective, but because they will bring in more boys to their audience. And the women are taking on the stereotype, low cut blouses, dumbed down whore characters, and continuing to appear in the “half-time” shows scantily clad. When young female improvisors see these images over and over again of what a female improvisor looks like, it’s hard not to break the norm. Women are still treated as sexual objects, and are targets of violent crimes because of it. This is nothing to laugh at.
Going back to the Comedy=Truth + Pain formula… what happens when women share their truth/pain in improv comedy? Too often than not it is labeled, “crazy, whiny, insecure, weak, sensitive, and menstrual.” I could go on and on with these derogatory, demeaning words. Why is this? I believe it is because women’s pain has not yet had a voice that is respected, so there is not that loosening quality that often happens with men sharing their pain. Throughout the world, there are still women being marginalized, fiercely discriminated against, and even killed for simply being a woman. This loosening cannot occur until there is a mass consciouness of this injustice. There is still a desperation from women to be heard. The countless woundings that women have suffered or even witnessed from afar creates an internalized sexism response that looks like shyness, insecurity, anger, and treating oneself as a sexual object. So here’s the formula we usually see in improv comedy: “Women Are Not Funny”= our society’s entertainment marketed toward sexist men+ women comediannes role modeling their own internalized sexism
So what can we do as a culture to support our lady improvisors? What are our thoughts and feelings about women? Are they sexual objects, lower class citizens, whiny bitches? Or are they valuable citizens of this planet that contribute immense value? How do we use our words and choices in improv scenes to continue this culture of sexual oppression? What can we do to stop the cycle?
After exploring our own self-assessment with these questions, let’s use our improv 101 basics, “Yes And.” Say “Yes,” to becoming aware to your contribution to the cycle of sexual oppression. “And”… women need to give themselves permission to share their truths. This takes great risk for many women given the intensity of their internalized sexism. What can women do to empower their voice and add their truth to the comedy equation? Often, this includes gathering with other women that understand the pain. Women Only improv groups can be incredibly empowering and healing for female improvisors. There are also many therapy groups and women’s circles centered around women’s empowerment. This past March, I had the amazing opportunity to march across the Golden Gate Bridge in honor of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. This provided me with such a surge of empowerment and love for my women-folk. I was completely giddy as I bumped into a female astronaut! It was incredible seeing a strong smart woman as a valuable member of society. Gail Stern of Catharsis Productions performs a one woman stand-up/education act called “Rant.” “RANT!” enables participants to build connections between the ways our society has historically used racial and ethnic epithets to dehumanize minority groups with the way we use words like “bitch,” “whore,” and “hole,” to objectify women. She is a pioneer in bridging social change and stand-up comedy, and having much success.
I also believe that exploring your own sexism cannot occur until you understand a concept called privilege. There has been so much written on this topic, so I encourage you to research further. Privilege is invisible. Those in the privileged category usually lack awareness that they are privileged, which is why so often people deny or become defensive when called on their privileged status. Men in America are privileged. This is a fact. They do not need to worry about covering up their body parts for fear of what someone else may think about them. They still make more then women in this society. Another way to understand privilege is telling jokes. It’s just not funny if someone from the privileged category tells a joke from the perspective of someone who is in the underprivileged category. It’s racist/sexist, right? Why? Because someone of privilege cannot understand at an authentic level what a person of the underprivileged category experiences daily. The Comedy=Truth + Pain formula doesn’t apply if the truth is not your personal truth. I hope that was your “Ah hah Moment” I just heard. 😉
On a positive note, the great improv powerhouses, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are being looked at as not just merely women cast members on SNL, but great comedy writers and improv actors equaling their great male counterparts Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, John Belushi, etc, etc. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have carved a beautiful path for women improvisors. They are incredible role models. They have taken great risks to act as smart strong women sharing their truths, without the assistance of a low cut blouse. They are empowering women to share their voice, thoughts, pain, and indeed, they are funny. I can’t wait to read Ms. Fey’s new book, Bossypants, which is giving many female improvisors permission to Play Like A Girl. Please also check out Kay Cannon, a female writer on 30 Rock, coming to the SF Bay on May 21st, courtesy of the San Francisco Improv Festival. Change-is-A-coming!