Description

Book Synopsis

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

    Table 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

Creating Improvised Theatre

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    A Paperback by Mark Jane

    £31.99

    Includes FREE delivery

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 25 Aug 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
      Published 8/19/2021 12:00:00 AM
      ISBN-13 9780367707491
      978-0367707491
      ISBN-10 0367707497
      Also in:
      Art & Photography Performance art Entertainment Acting techniques Theatre studies

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      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

        Table 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

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