'Applied Improvisation' is the term widely used to denote the use of improvisational theatre methods and theories applied to human development and training in organizations. It is an exciting, rapidly growing field of practice and research with organizations all over the world hiring impro-trained facilitators to teach their people how to do offstage what successful improvisers do onstage: work collaboratively and spontaneously in the moment, generate endless ideas quickly, remain flexible, multitask, motivate and inspire others, reveal excellent listening and observation skills, take risks willingly, fail good-naturedly, and deliver a story, idea, or 'new product' to an audience. This edited collection offers one of the first surveys of the range of practice and is composed of 15 in-depth case studies by leading Applied Improvisation practitioners. Each contributor describes their practice, includes feedback from their clients, and features a well-developed workbook outlining the tools, techniques, theories, games, and resources used in that case study so that the reader has a model for his/her own application.
This book will also serve as a valuable resource for facilitators already working in the field of Applied Improvisation, professional theatre practitioners, leadership development specialists, and managers interested in learning about the work and applying the methodologies of leading Applied Improvisation practitioners around the world. For acting students it opens up a new realm of practice and work in four distinct areas explored throughout the volume:
Section I: Corporate Training and Organizational Development
Section II: Higher Education (Law, Business, Leadership, Sciences)
Section III: Healthcare and Behavioral Health
Section IV: Community Outreach
Industry Reviews
Applied Improvisation is a world-class textbook for those who want to learn how to teach corporate and nonprofit groups improvisation skills. It's also an inspiring idea book for anyone who wants to bring the magic of theatre to their organization. After reading this remarkable work, you'll be eager to start on your own improv adventure. -- Daniel H. Pink, author of To Sell Is Human, Drive, and A Whole New Mind
Applied Improvisation triumphantly reveals to us, with passionate and fascinating research, by seasoned practitioners, over and over again how the power of this transformative art form can spread its positive and proactive influence over myriad walks of the human experience. -- Keegan-Michael Key, actor, writer, producer, and alum of The Second City
Actors often underestimate the phenomenal personal responsibility required of them when learning improvisation. Applied Improvisation demands a new understanding of what the improviser's responsibility might be, and as this book brilliantly reveals, it doesn't need actors or theatre spaces, but a new sense of purpose. This inspirational book will help you find it. -- Geoffrey Colman, Head of Acting, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, UK
Having used applied improvisation for ideation with design teams, I was inspired to read about the myriad other ways it can create positive movement and new practices. Improv opens pathways of possibilities where situations and thoughts seem locked and rigid. Twelve compelling case studies, plus practical tools anyone can use. -- Katy Tisch, Vice President, Creative Director, Global Nike Retail Design
