Improvisation

What is improvisation? To act without a script Ad-libbing Create the dialog and action as you go along

Three uses for improvisation It is used by the director during rehearsals to help actors to understand their characters better Improvisational comedy It is used as a technique to learn acting

Important terms CROW -Character -Relationship -Objective -Where

Why improvise? Improvisation helps performers in many ways. It develops one’s confidence and assertiveness. It also builds public speaking, problem-solving and creativity skills.

The elements of a successful improvisation 1. The element of recognition 2. The element of surprise 3. The element of playfulness/imagination 4. Specific and motivated characters 5. Setting that is interactive

continued… 6. Conflict and action generated from the point of concentration/objective 7. Always say “YES!” 8. Avoid asking questions 9. Actions speak LOUDER than words 10. Be generous and support your partner!

Viola Spolin Modern improvisation involves interaction from the audience Grandmother of the improvisation in America Viola developed theatre games. Each game was created upon a specific focus or technical problem. Wrote the book Improvisation for the Theater, which consists of approximately 235 games

Paul Sills Son of Viola Spolin Co-founded the Compass and The Second City Used Spolin’s games to help his actors to improve their creativity and spontaneity

The Second City Improvisational theatre Opened in Chicago on December 16, 1959 Paul Sills was a founder of the Second City

Del Close He was a director, performer, and teacher at Second City Harold- improvisational game created by Del Close – series of connected scenes based on one audience suggestion Harold is about 20-45 minutes (long form)

Keith Johnstone Born in England Wrote the book Impro, which consists of theories of creativity, character development, and the teaching of improvisation

Dudley Riggs He renamed “improvisation” as “Instant Theatre” because jazz players used the term “improvisation” at that time His style of improvisation consists of a suggestion from the audience and improvise a scene right away Brave New Workshop opened in 1958 and it is the longest running satirical theatre Dudley opened a second theatre called the Experimental Theatre Company in Minneapolis