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The importance of play and fun to people's lives cannot be stressed enough in today's cultural climate of high stress, high stakes, and competition. One activity that gains recognition and credibility as both fun and transformative is theatrical improvisation or improv. In this book, Ruth Yamamoto reviews her research on the influences of improvisation on community college students.
Educators, theatre artists, improvisers, or anyone interested building community, developing self-awareness, and affecting positive social change will want to read this book. Dr. Yamamoto examines the principles of improvisation and the concepts of play and flow to add credibility to a craft and practice that is often viewed a frivolous and silly.
Ruth Yamamoto extends her research through interviews with applied improvisation professionals, examples and suggestions of games and exercises, and provides solid evidence of the serious, positive benefits of improvisation.
List of contents
Contents
List of Tables
Preface
Acknowledgements
Part I The Origins
1 Introduction: Why Have Fun?
2 What Is Improv?
3 Play and Why It Matters
4 What Is Flow?
5 The Paradox of Fun
Part II The Study: The Shared Experiences of College Improvisers
6 Literature Review of Related Qualitative Studies
7 Examining the Shared Improv Experiences
8 The Themes
Part III How Improv Can Change the World
9 Everything I Needed to Learn in Life I Learned Through Improv
10 Finding Improv in Everyday
11 Applied Improvisation
12 Improv Games and Exercises
13 Serious Fun for Life
Appendices
Appendix A: Interview and Focus Group Protocols
Appendix B: Theatre Games and Exercises
Appendix C: Substantive Quotes
Resources
References
About the author
Ruth Yamamoto, PhD., is a teaching artist, independent scholar, and consultant in the fields of theatre arts and education. She holds a PhD in Education from Walden University, an MEd in education from Marymount University, and a BA in drama from the University of Hawaii. She has been a theatre arts educator for over 20 years in public and private schools.
Summary
The importance of play and fun to people's lives cannot be stressed enough in today's cultural climate of high stress, high stakes, and competition. One activity that gains recognition and credibility as both fun and transformative is theatrical improvisation or improv. In this book, Ruth Yamamoto reviews her research on the influences of improvisation on community college students.
