Gender and sexuality is a large part of anyone’s identity and it’s an idea that was explored Oct. 11 at the Identity Improv session.
Members of QUEST, a student organization at EMU that creates a safe environment for people of any sexuality, invited students to attend and explore their identities.
Mary Larkin, Program Coordinator of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center and QUEST adviser, facilitated the event, which was held at 7 p.m. in room 301 of the Student Center.
Larkin provided three basic rules from the start: interact with the others in the room, take risks even if you feel ridiculous and build off of what other people say. These rules were set in place to ensure everyone would have an equal chance to participate and be heard.
Identity Improv began with everyone sitting in chairs in a circle,
talking about their sexual orientation, gender identity and “coming out” stories for those who were not heterosexual. The atmosphere was friendly, open and encouraging, with everyone sitting quietly as others
spoke.
The night was very laid-back and social, as Larkin asked those attending to act out scenes without talking, repeat movements from the others while standing in a circle and speak a nonsense language that someone else had to translate.
For those who have seen “Whose Line is it Anyway?” with Drew Carey, Identity Improv was very similar. While no one felt necessary to be humorous for the entertainment of others, many of the exercises had everybody laughing and joking.
“I actually had fun,” Kyle Adamian, a member of QUEST, said.
Adamian found it difficult to act silly and have fun at first but became
more involved as the others encouraged him.
Isaac Sanch, another member, said, “I had an awesome time.”
Everyone who participated generally agreed upon these sentiments. Many different exercises allowed everyone to communicate and become comfortable with one another through improvisation.
Identity Improv was the idea of a student, said Larkin:
“We [the LGBTRC] were looking to do smaller events. QUEST is through Campus Life, so we wanted to link up and do something different. Someone suggested a roleplay theater for fun, which was how we came up with Identity Improv.
“I like doing events with a group of people because it’s so awkward and beautiful,” Larkin said.
She was excited to facilitate Identity Improv as a founding member of the CloseUP theater troupe. Very few people attending had theater experience, but improvisation requires no training to participate.
“I felt it was very relaxing and fun to be goofy,” Ricci Cole said.
Although it was a diverse group of people, everyone established a rapport allowing fun while feeling comfortable.
QUEST has meetings two Tuesdays a month from 7-9 p.m. in Student Center
room 304. All genders and sexualities are welcomed and encouraged to meet new friends at these meetings.
