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Creating Improvised Theatre: Tools, Techniques, and Theories for Short Form and Narrative Improvisation is a complete guide to improvised theatre for performers and instructors.
This book provides a modern view of improvised theatre based on the rapid evolution of this art form, shedding new light on classic theories as well as developing lesser known and emerging techniques, such as the Trance Mask. Instead of simply referencing classic theories, the book revisits them and places them in the context of contemporary improvisation techniques. Designed as a practical support, this guide contains over 130 exercises that allow its theories to come alive in workshops, rehearsals, and performance. The book is divided into four sections:
Nuts and bolts: The fundamental tools of improvisation to explore how to be spontaneously creative, build with your partner, and learn from masks to discover your scene instant by instant.
Short form: Techniques for scene work and short form performance, including how to get the most out of a scene, remain connected to the relational stakes, provoke change (physical, status, and emotional), and maintain a playful attitude.
Narrative improvisation: Theories to help navigate long form narrative-based shows with "narrative waypoints," generate variety, develop protagonists, work on genres, and manipulate creative transitions.
The bits box: Advice for warming-up before a rehearsal or a show with a collection of useful games.
Written to inspire creativity and provide the tools to develop innovative improvised shows and experiences, Creating Improvised Theatre is an invaluable source book for anyone interested in the art of improvised theatre, whether a beginning student or experienced performer.
List of contents
1. Introduction
Part 1: Nuts and Bolts
2. The basics
3. Spontaneous creativity
4. Creating with others
5. Masks and the art of being in the present
Part 2: Short Form
6. Introducing short form
7. What’s the story?
8. Playing the platform and detecting tilts
9. Riding the rollercoaster to the end
10. The three change tools and Status
11. Physical change
12. Emotional change
13. Mischief and provoking change
Part 3: Narrative Improvisation
14. What is narrative improvisation?
15. Narrative theories
16. The Initial world – locations and relations
17. The Initial world – calls and protagonists
18. Making choices to Get in trouble
19. The Crisis – ordeal and understanding
20. The Climax and the End world
21. Transitions
22. Narrative archetypes
23. Final tips for narrative improvisation
Part 4: The Bits Box
24. Useful "bits"
25. Warm-ups
26. Over to you
About the author
Mark Jane is an English actor, director, and teacher of improvised theatre. Based in Paris, France, he performs and teaches all over Europe. He supervised the French publication of Keith Johnstone’s book Impro – Improvisation and Theatre and, in 2018, published his own book on improvisation, Jeux et Enjeux, in French. He was co-founder of the Improfessionals and currently performs with the Parisian troupe La Compagnie d’improvisation Eux.
Summary
Creating Improvised Theatre is a complete guide to improvised theatre for performers and instructors. It provides a modern view of improvised theatre based on the rapid evolution of this art form, shedding new light on classic theories as well as developing lesser known and emerging techniques.
