Mahalo.com iPhone contest: Improvisation (theatrical)
Mahalo's Top Seven:
- Reference: Improv Encyclopedia
- Community Site: YesAnd.com
- Reference: Fuzzy Gerdes' Improv Pages
- Reference: ImprovComedy.org
- Stealth Theater: Improv Everywhere
- Reference: Wikipedia on Improv
- Performers: Upright Citizens Brigade
Guide Note: Improvisation or "improv" in the arts refers to unscripted or "instant" performances in theater, comedy, dance, and music. This guide covers theatrical improvisation.
Fast Facts:
Acting teacher & author Viola Spolin is considered the 'grandmother' of modern improv; much of her work was carried on by her son Paul Sills.
Television viewers know 'short-form' improv via the popular show Who's Line Is It Anyway?, but improvisation is also used in creating full-length theater, films & television shows (such as those of Christopher Guest, Mike Leigh & Larry David)
The most well-known longform improv piece is called the Harold and was developed by Del Close at Second City.
National Improv Troupes:
Comedysportz
Chicago Improv Venues/Info:
Northwestern U Listings
The ImprovOlympic
The Second City
Chicago Improv FAQ
New York City Improv Venues/Info:
The Magnet Theater
Upright Citizens Brigade NY
Peoples Improv Theater
Los Angeles Improv Venues:
The Groundlings
UCB LA
Top Teachers & Workshops:
Keith Johnstone
Gary Austin
Improv Camp
The Second City
The Groundlings
Upright Citizens Brigade
Peoples Improv Theater
The Spolin Center
Paul Sills' Wisconsin Theater Game Center
Long-running New York Shows:
The Next Big Broadway Musical
Chicago City Limits
Sunday Night Improv
Cage Match
TheaterSports
Festivals and Events:
Events list: YesAnd.com
San Francisco: San Francisco Improv Festival
Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz Improv Festival
College Improv: Fracas
UCB's Del Close Marathon
Books:
Viola Spolin: Improvisation for the Theater
Anne Libera: Second City Almanac of Improvisation
Stephen Nachmanovitch: Free Play
Jeffrey Sweet: Something Wonderful Right Away
Keith Johnstone: Impro
Close & Halpern: Truth In Comedy
Janet Coleman: The Compass
Carol Hazenfield: Acting Impulse
Bernard Sahlins: Days and Nights at the Second City
Mick Napier: Improvise
Improv Forms/Games:
Improv Encyclopedia
Living Playbook
The Improv Wiki
