Whilst I've been exploring Laban I was particularly interested in his idea of kinespheres. A kinesphere is like an invisible bubble that surrounds us, it includes all the space around you that you can reach.
Whilst exploring kinespheres I can across Edward T. Hall and Proxemics. So Hall was a cultural anthropologist who studied human's use of space. It's a really interesting topic which looks at human interactions but also how we interact with buildings and even the layout of towns and cities.
Hall created a diagram looking at interpersonal distances, basically how close we stand/sit/interact with people. This idea is now used in Theatre to show how characters feel about each other and is used when plays are staged.
There are 4 distinct interpersonal zones:
Intimate distance (0 - 18 inches or 1 cm - 46 cm)
Personal distance (1.5 - 4 foot or 47 cm - 1.22 m)
Social distance (4 - 12 foot or 2.1 - 3.7 m)
Public distance (12 foot plus or 3.7 m plus)
Intimate distance is used for whispering, embracing and touching, it tends to be seen with very close trusting relationships such as friends, family and partners but it can also be seen with threatening behaviour.
Personal distance is also used for interactions with family, friends and partners, this is usually a comfortable distance to interact with people you know.
Social distance is used for interaction among acquaintances and is probably where a lot of 2 people improv scenes happen!
Public distance in used for the space when a teacher/lecturer is talking to a class. It is also the distance people would keep from each other in large open spaces.
We can use these interpersonal distances in our improv, first by noticing what our usual preferred distance is when we perform scenes and then we can start to experiment.
How would a scene be different between a couple who are a personal distance apart vs a scene where they are public distance apart? Or a scene with strangers that are public distance apart vs a scene where they are personal distance apart?
We can make our improv more realistic by using these distances and we can also show our audience that our characters are annoyed with each other by our positioning on stage instead of having to say it. Show it, don't say it!
We can also have fun playing with these distances by doing the unexpected e.g. 2 lovers who have to stay personal distance apart.
When exploring these distances we need to ensure that we are respectful to our fellow improvisers and their boundaries, we should not be crossing into people's intimate spaces without prior discussion of the boundaries and what people feel comfortable with.
It is also to be remembered that these zones vary in different cultures, your zones might be different to other people you are improvising. Also Neurodiverse people or people with disabilities might also have different spaces that they are comfortable with.
Here are some videos I've found useful when exploring Proxemics, I hope you enjoy them :)
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=proxemics - Phil Edwards explaining what Proxemics is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Ak18pM3u0 - Proxemics in non-verbal communication by Communication Coach Alexander Lyon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ubfA7coS3Q&t=1s - Online Theatre School - Looking at Proxemics in Theatre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlfCHm0IqSA - Artist Acting Academy presents Bob Woolsey Intimate Zone
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