The Improv Big Bang Theory. Storia dell’improvvisazione teatrale The most random and impalpable of the performing arts meets historical research, to discover which of the thousand questions about theatrical improvisation have been answered: when exactly was improvisation born in the theatre? How was art improvised and how do we improvise today? What is the contribution of the great pioneers of the twentieth century? What is the relationship between improvisation formats and text theatre? From the apotropaic rites of the first civilizations to the Theatrical Improvisation Match®, from Aristotle to Viola Spolin, from the Commedia dell’Arte to Keith Johnstone, from Stanislavskij to Robert Gravel, from Greek theater to the most important production companies in the world of theatrical improvisation. A two thousand five hundred year long journey into the most absurd of human needs: spontaneous artistic expression.

Improvise Freely: Throw away the rulebook and unleash your creativity Improvisation is a vibrant art of spontaneity and impulse. Audiences the world over flock to shows where ‘anything could happen!’ But lurking at the heart of many companies that perform it is a contradiction, a bait and switch. Students who sign up for classes are taught ‘The Rules’: the strictly right and wrong way to be creative. Exploration is replaced with emulation and curiosity with compliance. How the hell did that happen? Patti Stiles is an internationally respected improvisor, actor, director and teacher whose performance skills and deep understanding of the work shine out on stage and in the workshop room. In Improvise Freely, she shows how ‘rules’ meant to guarantee success actually confine us in a counterfeit appearance of spontaneity and hamper our creativity. She turns ‘The Rules’ on their head and shows that other approaches are possible. Is it okay to ask questions? Why must we Who What Where? And what if ‘ Yes, And’ isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? This book encourages us to explore the labyrinth ourselves, rather than follow a tour guide. Instead of handing us a map, Ms. Stiles offers us a…

First published by curated Italian authors on the subject, carried out by the Improvvvisart cooperative. A text dedicated to the world of Improvvisazione Teatrale, first volume of the collana “I colori dell’Improvvisazione”, realized with the contribution of the greatest Italian teachers and with the support of the Associazione Nazionale Improteatro. The collana intends to offer testimony and give merit to the path of the growth and maturation of the modern concept of Improvvisazione Teatrale in Italia. L’improvvisazione oggi è in fermento, in continual evolution, in crescita. There are always numbers of the school, the company, the spettacoli, the national rade, and the festival in Italy. The first volume goes directly to the “cuore” of the improvised theater: the creative atmosphere, the environment, the persona, the relationship and the rhythm of an improvised story. The authors of this volume are: Mari Rinaldi (Teatribù – Milano), Luca Gnerucci (Teatro a Molla – Bologna), Daniele Marcori (Qfc Teatro – Rome), Tiziano Storti and Susanna Cantelmo (Verba Volant – Rome).