- "Improvisational theatre, often called improvisation or improv, is the form of theatre, often comedy, in which most or all of what is performed is unplanned or unscripted, created spontaneously by the performers."
A type of improv that mimics the style and language of William Shakespeare's plays.
Basic improv principles: Understanding the fundamentals of improvisational theatre, including "yes, and" mentality, listening and responding, creating characters and environments, and teamwork.
Shakespearean language: Learning the intricacies of iambic pentameter, blank verse, poetic devices, and early modern English, as well as strategies for incorporating Shakespearean language in improvised scenes.
Shakespearean tropes and motifs: Familiarizing yourself with common themes, motifs, and tropes that are found in Shakespeare's plays, including love triangles, mistaken identity, revenge, madness, and more.
Shakespearean characters: Developing skills for creating and embodying various Shakespearean archetypes, such as the Fool, the King, the Clever Servant, the Star-Crossed Lover, and the Villain.
Shakespearean genres: Exploring the different types of plays that Shakespeare wrote, including histories, comedies, tragedies, and romances, and understanding the conventions, themes, and motifs that are associated with each genre.
Shakespearean contexts: Understanding the cultural, historical, and social contexts in which Shakespeare wrote, including the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods, the politics and religion of the time, and the cultural significance of theatre.
Shakespearean adaptations and remixes: Examining creative adaptations of Shakespeare's plays, including modern retellings, remixes, and parodies, and learning how to incorporate these adaptations into improvised scenes.
Improv games and exercises: Practicing improv games and exercises that are specifically designed for improvisational Shakespeare, including rhyming games, scene starters, and character building.
Stagecraft and performance skills: Developing skills for performing improvised scenes in front of an audience, including physicality, vocal projection and control, stage presence, and storytelling.
Historical and literary research: Conducting research on Shakespearean literature and history, including reading the plays, studying literary criticism and commentary, and learning about the historical context of Shakespeare's work.
Long-form Improv: A type of improvised theater where the actors create a complete play or story arc from scratch. Long-form improv typically involves creating and developing characters and plotlines throughout the performance.
Short-form Improv: A type of improvisational theater where the actors perform short, unconnected scenes that are based on audience suggestions. Short-form improv often involves performing games or challenges that require the performers to think on their feet and improvise quickly.
Musical Improv: A form of improvisational theater where the actors create and perform songs on the spot. Musical improv is often performed in the style of a Broadway musical and requires performers who are skilled at both singing and improvising.
Improvised Shakespeare: A type of improv that involves creating and performing a play in the style of William Shakespeare. The performers often use language and plots similar to what would be found in Shakespeare's works, but they create everything on the spot.
Improvised Comedy: A type of improvisational theater that is focused on creating comedic scenes and moments. Improvised comedy often involves performing games and challenges that require performers to be creative and quick-witted.
Improvised Drama: A type of improvisation that focuses on creating dramatic scenes and emotional moments. Improvised drama requires performers who are skilled at developing and portraying characters and who can create engaging plotlines and dialogue on the spot.
- "In its purest form, the dialogue, action, story, and characters are created collaboratively by the players as the improvisation unfolds in present time, without use of an already prepared, written script."
- "Improvisational theatre exists in performance as a range of styles of improvisational comedy as well as some non-comedic theatrical performances."
- "It is sometimes used in film and television, both to develop characters and scripts and occasionally as part of the final product."
- "Improvisational techniques are often used extensively in drama programs to train actors for stage, film, and television and can be an important part of the rehearsal process."
- "However, the skills and processes of improvisation are also used outside the context of performing arts."
- "This practice, known as applied improvisation, is used in classrooms as an educational tool and in businesses as a way to develop communication skills, creative problem solving, and supportive team-work abilities that are used by improvisational, ensemble players."
- "It is sometimes used in psychotherapy as a tool to gain insight into a person's thoughts, feelings, and relationships."
- "Improvisational theatre, often called improvisation or improv..."
- "Most or all of what is performed is unplanned or unscripted, created spontaneously by the performers."
- "The dialogue, action, story, and characters are created collaboratively by the players as the improvisation unfolds in present time..."
- "Improvisational theatre exists in performance as a range of styles of improvisational comedy as well as some non-comedic theatrical performances."
- "In its purest form, the dialogue, action, story, and characters are created collaboratively by the players as the improvisation unfolds in present time, without use of an already prepared, written script."
- "To develop characters and scripts and occasionally as part of the final product."
- "Improvisational techniques are often used extensively in drama programs to train actors for stage, film, and television and can be an important part of the rehearsal process."
- "Develop communication skills, creative problem solving, and supportive team-work abilities that are used by improvisational, ensemble players."
- "It is sometimes used in psychotherapy as a tool to gain insight into a person's thoughts, feelings, and relationships."
- "Develop communication skills, creative problem solving, and supportive team-work abilities that are used by improvisational, ensemble players."
- "Without use of an already prepared, written script."
- "Improvisational techniques are often used extensively in drama programs to train actors for stage, film, and television and can be an important part of the rehearsal process."