Publications and Press

IMPROV BOOST INTERVIEW - Video

A recorded interview where David Escobedo from The Improv Boost interviewed me on January 27, 2021 as part of the Everybody Get In Here! Improv Festival. Watch this video to learn more about my perspective on improv communities, racism, and living in the UK.

Reflections on Researching Within a Structurally Racist Institution

During a required group research assessment at our higher education institution, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (RCSSD), we uncovered multiple underlying and intersecting axes of oppression that affected our research. These axes include silence, gatekeeping, discrimination, white fragility, and emotional labour. This article explores how our research process was affected by these axes of oppression in an academic setting. First, we unpack the scope of our initial research which included a heuristic methodology and Critical Race Theory. Next, we uncover how this internal study around structural racism was interrupted by the oppressive practices and to what extent they affected the research process and our final assessed presentation. Finally, using autoethnography we investigate how, as three researchers with different backgrounds and ethnicities (two Black women and one white woman), we seemingly disrupted an internal research conference at a higher education institution. Writing this article is a necessary act of liberation for us as researchers to contextualise and define our experiences through Critical Race Theory. Through this paper, we aim to expand the dialogue among researchers and institutions on how structural racism and oppressive practices become evident in the fabric of academia. Furthermore, any lack of dialogue will inevitably continue to cause acts of oppression within institutions until they are faced with resilience, honesty, and a balance of power free from oppression.

IMPROV BOOST INTERVIEW - Written

“Mary C. Parker is a fantastic improviser as well as contributor to the improv community. I was able to work with here during “Crash Landing” held through “Do the Right Scene’s” workshops. She is patient, authentic and imaginative in her improv. She also helped administrate the event and is a fantastic person to have in your improv community because she brings tremendous talent, but she also contributes to improve the community for everybody.” - David Escobedo

BLACK BALLARD: THE BLACK WOMEN TRANSFORMING LONDON'S IMPROV THEATRE SCENE

“Improv can be transformative and thanks to the work of a few dedicated black women, the scene is opening up and becoming more inclusive. Along this journey, I’ve watched some phenomenal black female improvisers who are part of Do The Right Scene (formerly known as a Nu Z Land), a black improvisation troupe for African, mixed race and African Caribbean performers. Do The Right Scene hold monthly workshops for BAME players known as Crash Landing followed by Special Delivery, a performance at Hoopla London. Stumbling upon a BAME improv night was encouraging as somebody new to the scene, as I was able to watch experienced performers who looked like me and whose content was often more relatable than the main circuit.” - Katasi

Saddest Night Out: A Daily London Based Podcast About music and culture

About this Episode: “Mary C. Parker performed her comedy at one of my open mics for the first time maybe an hour before we had this chat. After seeing her perform, and talking to her for this episode, I really hope it won't be the last time we cross paths. You can find more of her online at: -- www.instagram.com/maryc.parker/ -- and her improv group at: -- www.hooplaimpro.com/BAME -- Thank you Mary for your time, and thank you all for listening. -- Take Care -- Roy”