So many great points about literalness in improv and how to work with this trait. I am late diagnosed autistic and only a few years into it and am still amazed by the nuances of literalness and how it plays out in improv scenes and life. It can definitely be fun to lean into literalness as a character attribute. I find myself sometimes confused by nonliteral communications in scenes, such as when I am aware a scene partner is hinting at something but unsure of the meaning. In my early days of improv, I might have some anxiety and even second guessing myself afterwards if I said the right thing in the scene. Nowadays, I try to let it be. I like what you said about "honest reactions can always be in character" because that reinforces how improv can be a means to express ourselves honestly/authentically/truthfully which can often be challenging in a neurotypical world.
Thank you David! It sounds like we had very similar experiences in the early improv days! I totally hear you about that analysis and guessing about the scenes. Yes! I love that you're letting it be... it's a very fun spot to be at, for me anyway. That is SO TRUE about it being an outlet for being ourselves in the world. I find myself so much more comfortable as a character, even when I'm pretty much playing myself :)
So many great points about literalness in improv and how to work with this trait. I am late diagnosed autistic and only a few years into it and am still amazed by the nuances of literalness and how it plays out in improv scenes and life. It can definitely be fun to lean into literalness as a character attribute. I find myself sometimes confused by nonliteral communications in scenes, such as when I am aware a scene partner is hinting at something but unsure of the meaning. In my early days of improv, I might have some anxiety and even second guessing myself afterwards if I said the right thing in the scene. Nowadays, I try to let it be. I like what you said about "honest reactions can always be in character" because that reinforces how improv can be a means to express ourselves honestly/authentically/truthfully which can often be challenging in a neurotypical world.
Thank you David! It sounds like we had very similar experiences in the early improv days! I totally hear you about that analysis and guessing about the scenes. Yes! I love that you're letting it be... it's a very fun spot to be at, for me anyway. That is SO TRUE about it being an outlet for being ourselves in the world. I find myself so much more comfortable as a character, even when I'm pretty much playing myself :)