11 Facts About Improvisational theatre

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.

Improvisational theatre exists in performance as a range of styles of improvisational comedy as well as some non-comedic theatrical performances.

Improvisational theatre 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.

Many short form exercises were first created by Viola Spolin, who called them Improvisational theatre games, influenced by her training from recreational games expert Neva Boyd.

Improvisational theatre often allows an interactive relationship with the audience.

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Many theatre troupes are devoted to staging improvisational performances and growing the improv community through their training centers.

Some key figures in the development of improvisational theatre are Viola Spolin and her son Paul Sills, founder of Chicago's famed Second City troupe and originator of Theater Games, and Del Close, founder of ImprovOlympic and creator of a popular longform improv format known as The Harold.

Improvisational theatre'spherd was intent on developing a true "people's Theatre", and hoped to bring political drama to the stockyards.

In 1975 Jonathan Fox founded Playback Theatre, a form of improvised community Improvisational theatre which is often not comedic and replays stories as shared by members of the audience.

Improvisational theatre was widely acclaimed as one of the greatest acting teachers in America.

Improvisational theatre's work was grounded in the lessons he learned as an improviser at The Committee with Del Close, as well as in his experiences as founding director of The Groundlings.