Improvisational Theatre
An improvisation troupe at the University of Florida
Improvisational
theatre (also known as improv or impro)
is a form of theatre in which the
improvisational actors/
improvisers use improvisational acting techniques to
perform spontaneously. Improvisers typically use audiencesuggestions to guide the performance as they create dialogue,
setting, and plot extemporaneously. Improvisational theatre performances tend
to be comedic,
although some forms, including Playback Theatreand Theatre of the Oppressed, are not necessarily
intended to be comedic.
Improvised
performance is as old as performance itself. From the 16th to the 18th
centuries, Commedia dell arte performers
improvised based on a broad outline in the streets of Italy and in the 1890s
theatrical theorists and directors such as Konstantin Stanislavski and Jacques Copeau,
founders of two major streams of acting theory, both heavily utilised
improvisation in acting training and rehearsal.
Many improvisational
actors/ improvisers also work as scripted actors, and "improv"
techniques are often taught in standard acting classes. The basic skills of
listening, clarity, confidence, and performing instinctively and spontaneously
are considered important skills for actors to develop.
Three improvisers performing long form
improv comedy at the Gorilla Tango Theatre in Chicago.
An improvisational comedy troupe
performing a short-form game based on direction from the audience; in this case
spoofing a hard rock band performing a song made up on the spot.
Modern
improvisational comedy, as it is practiced in the West, falls generally into
two categories: short-form and long-form.
Short-form improv
consists of short scenes usually constructed from a predetermined game,
structure, or idea and driven by an audience suggestion. Many short-form games
were first created by Viola Spolin based on her
training from Neva Boyd. The short-form
improv comedy television series Whose Line Is It Anyway?has familiarized American and British viewers with short-form.
Long-form improv
performers create shows in which short scenes are often interrelated by story,
characters, or themes. Long-form shows may take the form of an existing type of
theatre, for example a full-length play or Broadway-stylemusical such as Spontaneous Broadway. Long-form
improvisation is especially performed in Chicago,New York City, San Francisco, Seattleand Los Angeles. One of the more well-known long-form structures is the Harold, developed by Improv Olympiccofounder Del Close. Many such long-form
structures now exist.