Roots of improv can be traced back centuries. Today, improv is more popular than ever, with performances, classes, and festivals happening all over the world. Learn more about the history of improv here
Improv as a formalized practice started in the mid-20th century with pioneers like Viola Spolin and Keith Johnstone. iola Spolin is often credited as the "mother of improvisation." She developed a number of theater games and exercises in the 1940s and 1950s that became the foundation of modern improv. Keith Johnstone, a British teacher and writer, also made significant contributions to the field, particularly with his development of Theatresports in the 1970s.
The Second City, a comedy theater based in Chicago, has been a major force in improv since its founding in 1959. Theresa Dudeck is a scholar and practitioner who has written extensively on the subject, particularly on the work of Keith Johnstone.al Biography. Bloomsbury Methuen Drama.
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To day, improv is performed by a wide range of people, from professional actors and comedians to amateurs and students. It's used in theater companies, comedy clubs, and schools around the world. Notable improv troupes include The Second City, Upright Citizens Brigade, and The Groundlings. Many famous comedians, such as Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Stephen Colbert, got their start in improv.
Improv is a form of theater where most or all of what is performed is created at the moment it is performed. In its purest form, the dialogue, the action, the story, and the characters are created collaboratively by the players as the improvisation unfolds.
Improv is performaed in a variety of venues, from professional theater stages to comedy clubs to school classrooms. Major cities often have their own improv theaters and festivals. It's also donae in non-traditional spaces, such as businesses and organizations, where it's used as a tool for team-building and training.
Improv is popular for many reasons. It's a form of entertainment that's always fresh and unique because it's created on the spot. It's also a powerful tool for teaching creativity, collaboration, and quick thinking. Additionally, it's used in various fields outside of theater, such as business and therapy, for its ability to foster communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills.
Improv is typically done in a group, with performers creating scenes and stories together on the spot. It's based on principles such as "Yes, and..." (accepting what others have introduced and building on it), making your partner look good, and being present in the moment. Improv often involves games and exercises that challenge performers to think quickly, work together, and be creative.
Sources:
Spolin, V. (1963). Improvisation for the Theater. Northwestern University Press.
Johnstone, K. (1981). Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre. Methuen.
Halpern, C., Close, D., & Johnson, K. (1994). Truth in Comedy: The Manual for Improvisation. Meriwether Pub.
Dudeck, T. (2013). Keith Johnstone: A Critic