OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION

At Kismet Improv, we aim to create a theater environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, promoting a genuine sense of belonging for everyone—audiences, students, performers, teachers, and coaches.

We recognize that this requires a holistic approach: acknowledging the exclusionary historical legacies of improv comedy, ensuring leadership at the front of the room reflects our community, and integrating these values directly into our curriculum and on-stage craft. While management provides the systems and safety for this work, it is a shared effort sustained by a community that upholds our Code of Conduct and maintains open communication with leadership (including teachers, coaches, and directors).

Core Principles

At its core, our framework champions equal opportunity for all. This is essential for learning and embodies improv principles, ensuring all on-stage participants, regardless of experience, are on equal footing. All interactions must be respectful and fair.

On-Stage Conduct: Playing With, Not At

At Kismet, we believe the best comedy comes from shared discovery. Our performers are trained to build "the magic" through inclusive, thoughtful, and fearless play. We prioritize earned laughs over easy shocks, ensuring our guests feel like they are part of the party. We play with our audience, never at their expense.

Dismantling Historical Legacies

We recognize that historically, the landscape of improv comedy has been shaped by white people, mostly white men, which created an exclusive environment and an implicitly, and at times explicitly, discriminatory culture. This has had othering and disempowering effects upon racial and ethnic minority groups, diverse gender identities and expressions, sexualities, and people with disabilities. At Kismet, we are committed to dismantling this legacy by building an improv community that is genuinely equitable, welcoming, and empowering for every voice.

What We Are Doing

We believe that a truly inclusive theater requires intentional action.

1. Intentional Representation & Leadership
Diversity belongs at the front of the room. Since taking ownership in 2025, we have prioritized elevating a wider range of voices within our leadership -- including teachers, coaches, and producers -- starting with a significant increase in the representation of women on our faculty and coaching staff. This is an ongoing evolution, not a finished task. We are actively building a pipeline to support students of all identities in developing the consistency, craft, and skills necessary for these roles. We view these positions as professional commitments and are dedicated to providing a clear, equitable path for those ready to meet Kismet's high standards, while remaining open to how those voices will evolve and redefine what excellence looks like at our theater.

2. Our Curriculum
At Kismet, we view inclusion as essential to the craft. We value transparency regarding our classroom objectives:

Authentic Character Work: We teach specificity and emotional point-of-view to build grounded, three-dimensional characters. We guide students to use identity as a foundation for authenticity, rather than a costume. Our goal is for the joke to be found in a character's unique behavior, not their identity.
Direct Feedback: We hold our students to high standards. If a scene relies on a harmful trope, our instructors offer feedback immediately to help the ensemble make smarter, more nuanced choices.

3. Accountability, Growth, and Reporting
We prioritize a culture of direct communication and mutual respect. Comedy requires vulnerability; we cultivate a mindset where failing safely is part of the process.

For mistakes of craft: We offer immediate feedback and grace for the mistake. We expect performers to focus on the work together and apologize gracefully rather than getting defensive.
For harmful behavior: As outlined in our Code of Conduct, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or discrimination. Management reserves the right to take appropriate action, including temporary or permanent expulsion, to ensure the safety of our community.
How to Reach Us: We encourage open communication. To report concerns, violations, or seek assistance with conflict resolution, you may contact our HR Manager, Melody Beach (hr@kismetimprov.com), or owners Rebecca (rebecca@kismetimprov.com) and Tim (tim@kismetimprov.com).

Find out more about our commitment to Health and Safety and our Code of Conduct here: kismetimprov.com/safety

4. Scholarships & Accessibility
We have increased the visibility of our scholarships to ensure they reach those historically underrepresented in live comedy.

Representation Scholarship (100%): Supports individuals from marginalized groups, including people of color, LGBTQIA+, women, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals, those from non-English speaking backgrounds, those with disabilities, people over 50, and those with non-traditional career paths.
Financial Aid (50%): Helps students facing financial challenges continue their improv journey.

Find out more about our scholarships and apply here: kismetimprov.com/scholarships

Our commitment to accessibility includes our physical space; we are a fully ADA-compliant venue. We strive to be mindful of sensory and neurodivergent needs by maintaining a flexible "re-entry" policy, allowing guests to step out and return to the theater at any time should they need a break from the environment.
For best assistance or more information, please email us at hello@kismetimprov.com