(2015-12-30) Ou Impro Improvisation And The Theatre

Elaine Ou on Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre. Improv is action without censorship.

Adults struggle with creativity because they censor their imaginations for fear that it reveals their true selves. But the imagination is the true self.

Improv actors let automatic processes take over by removing self-censorship. Original thought should not require effort.

Status

People are like dogs. Every human interaction is a status transaction

Spontaneity

To be spontaneous is to relinquish control.

A well-known rule of improv is Always say Yes

Saying yes cedes control and allows the story to continue.

The intention of improv is not actually to be funny. What makes it entertaining is that it’s a reproduction of life without censorship.