Improvisational theatre

Improvisational theater (often short improv theater ) is a form of theater that is in the improvised: There is a scene or play several scenes that are not previously staged. Most can type in a topic or a suggestion from the audience, the actors. These proposals are then trigger and guide for the then spontaneously arising scenes. Often, players will by a - accompanied musicians - usually also improvising.

A story comes from the spontaneity and mutual inspiration of improv players. The denying intellect gives way to the imagination. "At that time shall, as true today: I am inspired, everything is going well, but I try to do it right, it 's a disaster. " ( Keith Johnstone 1993, p 36).

The historical foundations of modern improvisational theater, the Commedia dell'Arte and the impromptu comedy.

History

The first origins of improvised theater can be traced back to ancient Greece (Mimus ). However, the improvisation occurred throughout history with the development of a theater tradition more and more into the background. It was in the meantime though rediscovered - similar to the improvisation in music - that recognition but won only slowly as an art form whose justification lies not only in the rehearsals of the regular theater operation or in the acting training, but also as the sole basis for performances can serve.

In modern times, can be evidence of improvised theater in Italy and France, found mainly in the field of Commedia dell'Arte. Beginning of the 20th century there was further experiments, eg the impromptu theater, Jacob Levy Moreno with psychotherapeutic objectives first in Vienna and later in the United States advanced to the psycho- dramatic role-playing game.

In the 40s, the American Viola Spolin created improvisation techniques and improv games. From her son Paul Sills improv theater in America has evolved. Meanwhile, founded in Chicago in 1955, student theater group "The Compass " was probably the earliest improvisational theater group in the modern sense. She led - inspired by Bertolt Brecht's theories and theater games of Viola Spolin - for so-called Scenarios socially critical, satirical improvisations. In addition, according to the specifications of the audience brief scenes were improvised.

In the 70s, Keith Johnstone created in England, the concept of theater sport,. Till today most popular form of improvisational theater, and exported it to Canada, where he founded the still -existent "Loose Moose" Theatre

Del Close invented the first improvisational theater - long form, the so-called " Harold " and made so many today only known full-length improv formats possible.

At the beginning of the 21st century, theater sports and improvisational theater spread globally. Countless forms and formats have now differentiated and were inspired and influenced by more and more sources.

Theory

Gunter Lösel compares the theoretical approaches of the " classic" ( Moreno, Spolin, Johnstone, Close ... ), looking for similarities and develops, using the concept of performativity of Fischer-Lichte, a theory of the performance of improvisational theater, which are outlined below will.

Concepts of production

In theory and practice of improvisational theater is basic general rules of production have been established. It is assumed that everyone already has all the major features such as narration or spontaneity. Most of the rules deals with the removal of defenses and blocks. Without this, the improvisation developed self-organizing. Creative sources are the unconscious, emergence and chance.

The problem of varying quality are addressed in different ways. The commedia dell'arte bridged weak moments with their " lazzi ", " Tirate " and " bravure " and the ensemble helped if an actor does not know how to go and support him. Moreno saw the problem of wavering quality as insurmountable, only the Chicago School and Johnstone find answers to the problem. In improvisational theater an aesthetic of imperfection is maintained. The failure is framed positively, the frame (theater) sports start eg bad scenes, sports losing is an important part of the event.

Molding

• Short forms: The respective scene lasts only a few minutes. There are hundreds of games ( "Games " ) of various categories, such Gromolo games, synchronization games and many more. Frequently short scenes as part of a be summarized " improv show." The improv show has often a motto or a formal setting. The short scenes are usually used also in the theater sports.
• Theater Sports: In theater, sports two teams in different disciplines compete against each other and try to attain particularly good scenes the audience's favor. The term " Theatre Sports " was legally protected by Keith Johnstone and may only be used with its permission for performances. Therefore, terms such as improv match are familiar, even if the legal protection in Germany has no validity.
• Long forms: The scene takes at least 15-20 minutes. A typical long form is the Harold: Impressions on a theme, often with autobiographical elements of the actors who are like a collage collected and woven together.
• Improv Murder Mystery: In various formats, which differ primarily by the participation of the audience, usually listed as a long-form improvisation format.
• Improvisation with director: A longer play, in which a director can engage.
• Improv Soap: An improvised set up for several episodes soap opera
• Biography Theater: An invited guest talks about his life. This story is improvised at the same time. This happens when Improtheater more entertaining, more psychologically during playback theater.
• Improvised musical forms such as opera, musical, Grand Prix
• Action Theater: fitting shape of improv theater. Founder is the performer Ruth Zaporah.

Improvisational theater on TV

In the British and American television is Whose Line Is It Anyway? a well-known comedy show, which is based on the principle of improvisational theater (and many are known from the improv games short forms used). In German television, she served as a model for improvisation comedy free snout and muzzle free XXL ( RTL). Two other German language broadcasts from the genre improvisational comedy are Schiller Street ( Sat.1 ) and Durchgedreht! ( ZDF).

Improvisational theater in school

Improvisational theater can also be in school, particularly in the interaction pedagogy, apply. Learners enter into a common interaction and the necessary action skills of socialization are encouraged. In the improvisation in the classroom especially basic skills of social action ( empathy, tolerance of ambiguity and identity representation ) to be trained.