About improv

Wade Jackson, founder of the Covert Theatre shares some thoughts on the art of improvisation.

What is improv?

Improv (also known as impro) is short for improvisation. It’s spontaneous ensemble theatre. It is an art form where the performers make up the theatre, usually comedy on the spot.

History of improv

Improvisation is a centuries old art form that has been used mainly in the performing arts; the acting and music traditions. It’s developed through the ages and today most drama training institutes incorporate improvisation in their curriculum.

The three main pioneers of modern improvisation for the theatre in the 20th century are Viola Spolin, Keith Johnstone and Del Close. From their work, improvisation has developed into a professional performed art form in its own right. Spolin and Johnstone are largely responsible for the modern short form improvised performances, which has influenced television shows such as Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Close is recognised as the creator of the Harold, a style of long form improvisation.

Types of improv – short, long & narrative forms

There are different types of improv from improv games (often called short form), to improv scenes (often called long form) to full length improvised plays, usually with a genre (often called narrative improv).

Improv games like you’d see on TV’s Whose Line Is It Anyway? is considered short form. Long form shows are usually a collage of scenes that end with a punchline and then a new scene starts unrelated to the last scene. Narrative form is more of a storytelling art form, where you have more time to develop richer characters and relationships and tell a story.

Covert Theatre’s style of improv

We do all three styles at the Covert Theatre. The styles offer different things and people; both performer and audience alike, have their preferences. The principles of storytelling underpins all that we do so even if we’re doing a short improv game we aim to have strong characters telling a story.

Improv came from the theatre stage, not the stand up comedy stage and so we want our audience to have theatrical experience, not just a comedic one.

When people join the Covert to learn improv, we teach them the principles of improvised storytelling using improv games. Once a member of the theatre, they then learn how to take those principles into long form formats before they learn to take the principles into an improvised play format.

Benefits of learning improv

Improvisation that focuses on narrative is an art form that provides the opportunity for a person to develop themselves on many different levels. It’s far more than just having the ability to jump up on stage with friends and make some entertaining stuff up.

It sets up a safe and fun environment for a person to undergo experiential self-directed learning. Through the interactive exercises and activities, a person is able to experience learning on an intellectual, physical and emotional level. With regular practise a person a person is able to self-reflect on their learnings and make better choices. This personal growth results in not only being a better improviser but a person is able to transfer this learning to every area of their life, whether it’s personal relationships, or professional work or school.

Improvisation is the wonderful vehicle for leadership development, whether it’s self-leadership or leadership of others, as it imparts crucial life skills that every person needs.

Multiple Intelligence Theory

Howard Gardner pictured in 1988, five years after the publication of “Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences.” via Harvard

In an effort to broaden the definition of intelligence, Harvard Professor of education Howard Gardener developed the Multiple Intelligence theory in 1983 which states that a person has different types of intelligences. In his 1999 book Intelligence Reframed, Gardner defines intelligence as “a biological potential to process information that can be activated in a cultural setting to solve problems or create products that are of value in a culture.”

The term Emotional Intelligence although not recognized by Howard Gardner as it does not fit under his definition is in fact, the combination of both Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Intelligence.

Daniel Goleman, bestselling author of the book Emotional Intelligence, claims that success in life comes down to 80% emotional intelligence and 20% technical knowledge. Whatever the statistic, it is obviously important that as a social being, it is crucial for people to be able to manage themselves and relationships with other people.

It is interesting to note that most schools focus on developing the Verbal and Logical intelligences over the others. While improvisation develops skills that can be used across all intelligences, there is a focus on the following intelligences:

Intrapersonal Intelligence – hereon called Self Intelligence
Interpersonal Intelligence – hereon called Social Intelligence
Bodily – Kinaesthetic Intelligence – hereon called Physical Intelligence
Verbal – Linguistic Intelligence – hereon called Verbal Intelligence
Visual – Spatial Intelligence – hereon called Spatial Intelligence
Musical Intelligence

Another academic, Professor Robert Stenberg put forward another Intelligence theory called, The Triarchic Mind. He states there are three types of intelligence; 1. Academic (book smarts), Practical (common sense) and Creative (ability to think in novel ways). So we must also look at:

7. Creative Intelligence

1. Self Intelligence

The exercises and activities in improvisation act as a mirror. They enable for the person participating in them to see themselves and notice their thoughts, emotions, behaviours and capabilities. It is in this way that they can achieve what every philosopher and spiritual teacher has said throughout history – know thyself.