Neurodiversity and Improv

Alexithymia involves how a person identifies and experiences emotions, so it has a lot to do with an improv practice. Part one of this two part episode series explores what alexithymia is, how it affects improv, and suggests some ways to practice improv if you experience it. Part two, released in two weeks, covers some ideas of what students can do if they approach exercises with assigned emotions, and what teachers can do to make their classes and exercises more inclusive for those with alexithymia.References from episodeYou can find the written essay for this episode at NeurodiversityImprov.comI mentioned the “Notes” episode series in this episode, which might be helpful if you are initiating discussions with a coach or team about emotions in scenes and alexithymia. You can find those episodes here: * Getting & Giving Notes (part 1) - Ep #15* Getting Notes You Don't Understand (part 2) - Ep #16* Giving Notes to Students (part 3) - Ep #17Your Voice - Neurodiversity SurveyPlease add your voice to this work! It’s better for the wider community when there is more input.* Let me know what you have experienced as a neurodivergent improviser! Answer THREE QUESTIONS here!* This week's survey on alexithymia and emotions in improv here. Neurodiversity and Improv - Podcast & Articles is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Become a SupporterFollow this podcast for free anywhere you find podcasts or join as a subscriber (free) on this site, NeurodiversityImprov.com, or you can also choose one time support here (buy me a coffee button).Paid subscribers get access to the full written archive of articles. Going forward paid supporters will receive written versions of this content with some bonus references, the podcast will of course remain free. Nice!If written article access is something you'd particularly need to access and cannot financially afford, please let me know and I'll help.Your support of any kind directly helps this content exist and continue and supports newer diverse voices in improv! Thank you so very much!OR — If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts!AboutThis podcast was created, and the episode was written, by Jen deHaan — an autistic + ADHD improviser.This episode was and produced by StereoForest.com. Join the free StereoForest newsletter for all improv podcast and show updates at members.stereoforest.com.This podcast is released every second week on Tuesday, on NeurodiversityImprov.com and wherever you find podcasts. Subscribe to the website for free newsletter updates.TranscriptButton near the podcast embed on the episode page, on Apple Podcasts, or on the episode page at StereoForest.Thanks for reading Neurodiversity and Improv - Podcast & Articles! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.neurodiversityimprov.com/subscribe

Notes (feedback) can be confusing for some student performers because of communication differences. This episode discusses what teachers can do to help improve and resolve some of the typical communication issues around questions and notes.Why can’t a student just ask for clarification? That can be loaded in some improv cultures (for now), and as such it can put a lot of burden on some students. Classes can be structured to make this a bit easier for everyone, while also still maintaining structure and accounting for time limitations.Your Voice - Neurodiversity SurveyPlease add your voice to this work! It’s better for the wider community when there is more input.* Let me know what you have experienced as a neurodivergent improviser! Answer THREE QUESTIONS here!* And of course, check out this week's survey here. Previous surveys are available here (including this one where you can provide your input on this episode’s subject - notes!)* If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts!Thank you!Become a SupporterFollow this podcast for free anywhere you find podcasts or join as a subscriber (free) on this site, NeurodiversityImprov.com, or you can also choose one time support here (buy me a coffee button).Paid subscribers get access to the full written archive of articles. Going forward paid supporters will receive written versions of this content, the podcast will of course remain free. Nice!If written article access is something you'd particularly need to access and cannot financially afford, please let me know and I'll help.Your support of any kind directly helps this content exist and continue and supports newer diverse voices in improv! Thank you so very much!AboutCreated and episode written by Jen deHaan, an autistic + ADHD improviser.Edited and produced by StereoForest.com. Join the StereoForest newsletter for all improv podcast and show updates at members.stereoforest.com.This podcast is released every second week on Tuesday, on NeurodiversityImprov.com and wherever you find podcasts.PlugsClasses and free improv jams and shows: flatimprov.com. I do one-sided improv stuff so you don’t have to at Discount Improv. Check it out, it’s new!Follow for updates:* neurodiversityimprov.com* members.stereoforest.com* YouTube.com/@StereoForestJoin the StereoForest Discord and discuss this show and neurodiversity in improv!TranscriptButton near the podcast embed on the episode page, on Apple Podcasts, or on the episode page at StereoForest. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.neurodiversityimprov.com/subscribe

Welcome to part two of this three-part series of episodes about receiving notes as neurodivergent improvisers. (Note: This episode is offered as an early release to supporters, and opens up to everyone on August 27! )Getting notes can be hard for students, particularly when there is a communication gap between neurotype. This episode lists five reasons students might have to make this part of a session difficult, and some things students can try to make the process a little bit easier.Resources mentioned in episode series:* Neurodiversity & Improv Episode 13: Improv and being Misunderstood* Double Empathy Problem: Autism and the double empathy problem: Implications for development and mental health* THIS WEEKS Survey - direct link to StereoForest page for this episode* General Survey page: on NeurodiversityImprov.comYour Voice:* Let me know what you have experienced as a neurodivergent improviser! Answer THREE QUESTIONS here!* The current survey on characters in improv is linked here on NeurodiversityImprov.com too.Become a SupporterFollow this podcast for free anywhere you find podcasts or join as a subscriber (free) here: NeurodiversityImprov.comYou can get bonus content, early access, and more by supporting the show! Go to NeurodiversityImprov.com to become a paid supporter, join our community, and access additional content and resources and gain access to supporter only community channels. If this is something you'd particularly like to access and cannot financially afford, please let me know and I'll help.You can also support this show AND other improv podcasts (and save money!) on StereoForest. There’s a special tier to access to both StereoForest and this podcast’s bonus content and save a bit of money joining both.Your support of any kind directly helps these improv shows exist! Thank you so much.AboutCreated and episode written by Jen deHaan, an autistic + ADHD improviser.Edited and produced by StereoForest.com. Join the StereoForest newsletter for all improv podcast and show updates at members.stereoforest.com.This podcast is released every second week on Tuesday, on NeurodiversityImprov.com and wherever you find podcasts.PlugsClasses and free improv jams and shows: flatimprov.comFollow for updates:* neurodiversityimprov.com* members.stereoforest.com* YouTube.com/@StereoForestJoin the StereoForest Discord and discuss this show and neurodiversity in improv! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.neurodiversityimprov.com/subscribe

This three-part series of episodes is about receiving notes as a neurodivergent improviser. This episode covers WHY getting notes is hard in improv, particularly when there is a communication gap between neurotypes (such as between an autistic and allistic humans, or when verbal processing disorder exists, and so on). There’s sometimes a communication gap because different neurotypes fundamentally communicate in different ways.So this series is specifically about notes given as feedback or advice or teaching after a scene or set is over.* Part 1 (episode 15) defines what the issue is, and WHY it's important to think about for improv students and teachers.* Part 2 (episode 16) is about what issues exist for students, and some tips for things students can try.* Part 3 (episode 17) is about what issues teachers need to know about, and some tips for things coaches/schools/directors can try.And encouraging a bit more patience and effort to make sure the communication is effective - so a note can be understood. Which is the entire point! We want the notes, teachers want us to take the notes... how can we get notes interpreted and used more frequently.I’ll do these episodes sequentially this time, and each one will be two weeks apart. I will also link to surveys in the show notes and NeuroDiversityImprov.com newsletter that you can use to submit your own experiences, comments, questions, or advice.TranscriptTranscript available on this page, and an alternate version is on the episode page on StereoForest after the public show release on August 13.Resources mentioned in episode* Neurodiversity & Improv Episode 13: Improv and being Misunderstood* Double Empathy Problem: Autism and the double empathy problem: Implications for development and mental health* Learning Theory - Learning Styles (Please share your resources, alternate theories, etc!)* THIS WEEKS Survey* Survey page: on NeurodiversityImprov.com* StereoForest: https://stereoforest.com* Subscribe (free): https://stereoforest.com/subscribe* Flat Improv: https://flatimprov.comBecome a SupporterFollow this podcast for free anywhere you find podcasts or join as a subscriber (free) here: NeurodiversityImprov.comYou can get bonus content, early access, and more by supporting the show! Go to NeurodiversityImprov.com to become a paid supporter, join our community, and access additional content and resources and gain access to supporter only community channels. If this is something you'd particularly like to access and cannot financially afford, please let me know and I'll help.You can also support this show AND other improv podcasts (and save money!) on StereoForest. There’s a special tier to access to both StereoForest and this podcast’s bonus content and save a bit of money joining both.Your support of any kind directly helps these improv shows exist! Thank you so much.AboutCreated and episode written by Jen deHaan.Produced by StereoForest.com. Join the StereoForest newsletter for all improv podcast and show updates at members.stereoforest.com.This podcast is released every second week on Tuesday, on NeurodiversityImprov.com and wherever you find podcasts.Follow on SocialFollow for updates:* neurodiversityimprov.com* members.stereoforest.com* YouTube.com/@StereoForestJoin the StereoForest Discord and discuss this show and neurodiversity in improv!zUnyOOxM40yXT9nWpZba This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.neurodiversityimprov.com/subscribe

Welcome back, improvisers! Season 2 of the Neurodiversity and Improv podcast is coming your way. Every two weeks you can expect a new episode about the intersection of neurotypes and learning/performing improv. We’ll be starting with a three part series on getting Notes as a neurodivergent improviser. This is a very common request from improvisers I’ve spoken with regarding this podcast. And the first three episodes of the new season will be all about this topic.Note: You can find the full transcript for any episode at the top of the episode’s web page.SurveyPlease let me know what you think about Notes (feedback on scenes and sets) at this episode’s page on StereoForest. Your voice on these shows helps others learn, feel seen, and provides a deeper insight into other neurotypes learning and performing improv. Input from this survey will inform a later episode in this season, or maybe next season depending on the input! Thank you for your generous support to the improv community, and lending your voice to the show!Become a SupporterYou can get bonus content, early access, and more by supporting the show! Go to NeurodiversityImprov.com to become a paid supporter, join our community, and access additional content and resources and gain access to supporter only community channels. If this is something you'd particularly like to access and cannot financially afford, please let me know and I'll help.You can also support this show and improv podcasts on StereoForest on our Patreon. You can find a tier where you gain access to both StereoForest and this podcast’s bonus content and save a bit of money.Your support of any kind directly helps these improv shows exist! Thank you so much.AboutCreated and episode notes written by Jen deHaan. Produced by StereoForest.com. Join the StereoForest newsletter for all improv podcast and show updates at podcasts.stereoforest.com. This podcast is released every second week on Tuesday, on NeurodiversityImprov.com and wherever you find podcasts.Follow on SocialFollow for updates on StereoForest or FlatImprov social accounts:* YouTube.com/@StereoForest* Instagram.com/StereoForest* TikTok.com/@StereoForest* Facebook.com/StereoPodcastsJoin the StereoForest Discord and discuss this show and neurodiversity in improv!Plugs n StuffLatest on StereoForest: shows on the way and new shows being added throughout fall 2024! See StereoForest.comDiscount Improv: If you want some discount improv, look no further. Want more improv and reward presents? Join the Kickstarter. Aw snap that rhymed? This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.neurodiversityimprov.com/subscribe

Most humans have some amount of mental imagery, or visual imagery. You might find that you use the visuals to help you build and remember improv scenes. The extreme ends are considered to be neurodivergence (they are called hyperphantasia and aphantasia), but regardless of what or how much you have you can do great improv.Thanks for reading Improv and Neurodiversity - The FlatImprov Podcast Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.For more information see “part 1” of this episode, which covers how visual imagination works and how it affects improv. You can find that episode here: This episode focuses how to use visual imagery for memory recall in scenes and forms such as a monoscene or macroscene. I discuss how visual imagery relates to flash memory (I mention this study here: The role of visual imagery in autobiographical memory).I also include some maybe-practical tips that include:* how to use this to improve your scenes (and why it’s important)* good forms to try if you want to enhance visuals* how to utilize these techniques for second beats of a sceneSo if you’re working on how to remember and recall in your scenes better, consider strengthening your visual imagery techniques and see if it helps.Thanks for stopping by, improv friend!Thanks for reading! This article and the podcast episode it was based on was written/hosted/produced/whatever by me, Jen deHaan. You can blame me for the whole thing, it’s my fault. Find the contact form for this podcast at FlatImprov.com/substack. See the FlatImprov site for online shows, jams, and podcasts and stuff.Improv Class: I have another online character class on April 13th at WGIS. Come say hi and do this class! This class is all about heightening YOU in a scene. BE YOU! You are good! It’s a one day workshop and it will be fun and you will learn new things about YOU. And improv. And characters. And fun.REMINDER: I am alternating weeks of content. Podcast episode one week, written article the next. If you think you might want more content (extra podcast or article(s) per month) on this stuff, let me know by making a pledge to the substack.Questions, comments, let me know: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.neurodiversityimprov.com/subscribe

Neurodivergent humans might communicate in a different way, a way that is difficult for neurotypical humans to understand. Different social communication styles not necessarily a deficit, and it’s not a pathology - it’s a difference. However, having difficulty communicating in a way other people understand it can be frustrating and isolating. Because we’re misunderstood. And we don’t want to be! And it’s often why we mask.There’s scientific study regarding being misunderstood too! In this episode I’ll talk about these studies (and they’re linked below). I’ll also describe how this impacts improv scenes in different types of improv (oh my gosh I’m going to talk about dramatic longform narrative… WHAT). In future episodes I’ll talk about how this impacts improv teams and communities.I am mostly going to describe autistic/allistic communication because the differences have been described in research. However, you can apply these communication differences to many different demographics. For example, communication across neurotypes has been compared to cross-cultural communication. It’s relevant in many contexts.And I also want to note — of COURSE everyone is misunderstood, sometimes. As with many things in this series about neurodiversity we are talking about the complexity, intensity, and frequency of these situations. Avoiding misunderstanding takes a lot of work. We need to attempt to avoid making assumptions, jumping to conclusions, and inquire if we hear something that might not make sense. Or is considered overly direct or whatnot. Or doesn't make sense. Ask and answer questions or seek clarification. And listen to the response you receive! And, if it seems to be in good faith, take it as such.Some of the studies I talked about* Autism and the double empathy problem: Implications for development and mental health* Perspective-taking is two-sided: Misunderstandings between people with Asperger's syndrome and their family membersThis podcast and SubstackI will be releasing this podcast every second week. The weeks I don’t do a podcast I will publish a written article. So you will receive something every week but I’ll alternate the format. It seems like some people found the written article helpful, so I’ll try that out on a regular basis now.Also, I’m releasing these things on Wednesday now.PlugsThis episode was written/hosted/produced/whatever by me, Jen deHaan. You can blame me for the whole thing, it’s my fault. Find the contact form for this podcast at FlatImprov.com/substack. See the FlatImprov site for other shows and podcasts and stuff.IMPROV CLASS: I have an improv class/show series starting Feb 28th with WGIS. This class is an improvised morning show. We’ll learn and practice the form for six classes, and then do a four show series delivered both to video and podcast. LAST CHANCE! Come join our team and show!WHAT YOU LEARN:* Character development.* Sustaining characters.* World building.* Adding details/specifics/point of view.* Clean unique edits.* Improv for audio* FUN! You’ll learn fun.Join us! Info here.ANOTHER IMPROV CLASS: I have another character class on April 13th at WGIS. Come do this class! It’s on being YOU and heightening it. YOU. As you ARE. However YOU are. It’s a one day workshop and it will be fun and you will learn new things.An Improv Show: Check out WNIS, the World’s Nerdiest Improv Show. We have a livestream show on Thursdays at 6:30pm PT and you can find the old episodes at the previous link. And all of our fake ads about improv are here. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.neurodiversityimprov.com/subscribe

Last week I promised an episode about finding the unusual thing: how you find what’s weird at the top of a scene when you’re setting up the base reality that leads to the game. And here is that episode.Communication is a challenge in improv, especially when we have different neurotypes playing together (which is probably… always). Our cognitive wiring is a fundamental difference between us, and at times it can lead to communication challenges especially when we need to agree on something important (like what’s weird!) to drive a scene forward. Finding the unusual thing, then framing the unusual thing, so everyone is on the same page and can move forward. And… what’s WEIRD anyway? We usually know, but sometimes it might be a mystery. Because of our wiring and lived experiences. Then what?This episode includes examples of communication between scene partners. I’ll mention a bit of science about communication in a group situation, and provide real life examples of communication breakdown between neurotypes. But mostly I talk about about improv. Even if you’re neurotypical, hopefully this ep will help you with noticing the unusual thing in a scene and framing it. And some things to try if and when that’s hardHopefully - for all neurotypes - this episode will help you effectively communicate with your scene partners at the top of a scene. So we can all move together efficiently, and on the same page, for the rest of the scene.And I missed a lot, for sure, so let me know what I missed at FlatImprov.com/substack.About this podcast & an improv classThis podcast is hosted/produced/whatever by me, Jen deHaan. You can blame me for the whole thing, it’s my fault. 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. See the site for other shows and podcasts and stuff.You can also subscribe to this podcast where you get your other podcasts - Apple, Spotify, Overcast, Castro, etc. If you like it maybe rate it if you’re on there? I’d appreciate it!IMPROV CLASS: I have an improv class series starting Feb 28th with WGIS. This class is an improvised morning show. We’ll learn and practice the form for six classes, and then do a four show series delivered both to video and podcast. WHAT YOU LEARN: Character development, sustaining characters, world building, details, clean edits. FUN! Join us! Info here.TALK AT YOU NEXT WEEK, IMPROV NERD FRIENDS! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.neurodiversityimprov.com/subscribe

I had A WEEK. So you’re getting AN EP that gets real. So this week I experienced something related to last week’s episode (ep 10). I wrote all of the notes for an episode about finding the unusual thing as a neurodivergent improviser. But you’re getting that one next week, friend, because I’ve been thinking about this stuff instead.And you know what happens when we get all focused on a subject. Well… this.So this week I’m talking about how we observe small details, things many others don’t notice, particularly well due to our neurodivergent traits. It’s how we gather all those details, spew specifics, read our scene partners with aplomb, and care so much about what we know, do, and feel. And the world. It’s also how and WHY we see those patterns and make the connections so very well in life (and scenes). I’ll talk about what neurodivergent traits and experiences we commonly have that make us so good at these things, and how you can work to enhance your observation to help make your scenes easier. I’ll also get up on a soapbox to challenge the improv advice to “get out there and live life for your scenes!” for those details with my “yes, but”. Very different approaches in this regard are valuable and valid and equal and need to be noted.Some of our experiences, like feeling socially isolated, are hard. I won’t minimize or toxic positivity them here. But they’re real, happen, it’s life, and we can utilize the pieces of data we get from these experiences in our improv practice.About this podcastThis podcast is hosted/produced/whatever by me, Jen deHaan. You can blame me for the whole thing, it’s my fault. 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. See the site for other shows and podcasts and stuff.You can also subscribe to this podcast where you get your other podcasts - Apple, Spotify, Overcast, Castro, etc.TALK AT YOU NEXT WEEK, IMPROV NERD FRIENDS!OK. Here we go, it’s being published. Send. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.neurodiversityimprov.com/subscribe

So in this episode you learn about the spectrum of visual imagination, from lots to none, and explore how you imagine visual details in improv. I cover what the spectrum of phantasia is, from hyperphantasia to aphantasia, then go into how it affects improv. How you visually process details in a scene are not just important for exploring the environment, scene painting, or describing an object (the obvious parts). You can also use it to create characters or incorporate an emotion. Flash memory-ing an emotion involves phantasia! It affects a lot.Can you improve your visual processing? Change where you are on the visual imagination spectrum? We’ll look at that kind of stuff too. I’ll give you some improv exercises to do to check out your own visual imagination.Also apologies for using my space heater tonight half way through the recording. Oops. It cold! Removed most of the noise, but some artifacts remain. I’ll be cold next time or put on extra socks or something :) About this podcast & linksThis podcast is hosted/produced/etc by me, Jen deHaan. 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. For the Morning Show, apply by Tuesday Jan 30 ‘24! These will be fun:* Character Point of View class* Improvised Morning Show - learn the form, do a show seriesTALK AT YOU NEXT WEEK, IMPROV NERD FRIENDS! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.neurodiversityimprov.com/subscribe