Improvisation is fundamental to all drama as the skill of using various resources to suggest an idea, a situation, a character, perhaps even a text, but it is also a technique for rehearsal of social statement and much more. Following an introduction to the multiple notions of improvisation, the authors examine four main areas of contemporary improvisation work, offer case studies of major practitioners and draw conclusions regarding the theoretical implications of the earlier discussions to move toward an understanding of the creation of 'meaning' in action. This book offers thoughtful reading for actors, students of drama, academics, scholars and general readers.
Table of contents:
Introduction - Part 1 WHO? Major Practitioners of Improvisation - Improvisation in Traditional Drama - Improvisation in Alternative Drama - Beyond Drama 'Paratheatre' - Part 2 WHAT? The Practice of Improvisation - Improvisation Exercises Preparation - Working Together - Moving Towards Performance - Applied Improvisation Work - Part 3 WHY? The Meanings of Improvisation - Towards the Poetics - Enriching the Communication of Meaning - Meaning and Performance - Notes - Bibliography - Index
Table of contents:
Introduction - Part 1 WHO? Major Practitioners of Improvisation - Improvisation in Traditional Drama - Improvisation in Alternative Drama - Beyond Drama 'Paratheatre' - Part 2 WHAT? The Practice of Improvisation - Improvisation Exercises Preparation - Working Together - Moving Towards Performance - Applied Improvisation Work - Part 3 WHY? The Meanings of Improvisation - Towards the Poetics - Enriching the Communication of Meaning - Meaning and Performance - Notes - Bibliography - Index