Shivving

A destructive pattern in improvisation where a performer deliberately undermines their scene partner, typically by negating offers, introducing information that invalidates their partner's choices, or steering the scene in ways that make the other performer look foolish. The term derives from the slang for a concealed stabbing weapon, evoking the sense of a covert attack from someone who should be an ally. Shivving differs from ordinary denial in that it often carries an element of intent or competitiveness; the performer may appear to be playing the scene while actually working against their partner's interests. Common forms include retroactively redefining a partner's object work, undercutting emotional moments with dismissive commentary, or consistently redirecting focus away from a partner's initiations. The behavior is widely regarded as one of the most toxic habits in ensemble improvisation because it erodes the trust that collaborative scene work requires.