1. Improvisation

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

3. 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

4. Important terms
CROW
-Character
-Relationship
-Objective
-Where

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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!

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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 minutes (long form)

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

13. 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