Improvisation

in the Arts
• Improvisation is the activity of
making or doing something not
planned beforehand, using whatever
can be found.[1] Improvisation, in
the performing arts is a very
spontaneous performance without
specific or scripted preparation. The
skills of improvisation can apply to
many different faculties, across all
artistic, scientific, physical, cognitive,
academic, and non-academic
disciplines.Improvisation also exists
outside the arts.
Contact body
improvisation
• Flow
In Flowing, we physically practice
the art of being fluid in our bodies.
The practice of 'Flowing' allows to
anchor, to follow the flow of one’s
own energy, to be true to oneself -
listening and attending to our needs,
receptive to our inner and outer
worlds. It is the art of feminine
energy, an earthy continuous journey
with what is present here and now.
• Staccato
In Staccato, we physically practice the
power and the fire of masculine energy. It is
percussive and strong, promotes connection
with the rest of the world and allows for the
expression of emotions explored in flowing.
The movement gains in clarity, direction and
definition. Staccato teaches us how to act in
the world, engage with passion, and move
forward in connection with our bodies and
our emotions. It is the part of us that stands
up for what we care about, who we love, and
what we love.
• Chaos
In Chaos we physically practice the art of
fully releasing our bodies - we let go of the
head, spine, hips and feet and move faster
than we can think. Like water, this chaotic
dance cleanses us from within, regenerates
us, teaches us letting go and trust for the
unexpected. It opens the doors to our
intuition and frees our wild part. Dancing
Chaos is the practice of shaking off
unnecessary luggage and going into the
unknown.
• Lyrical
In Lyrical we physically practice the art of
coming out of Chaos. Freed from what is no
longer needed, we can emerge on the other
side, in a light, playful and spontaneous
space vibrant with creativity. It is the art of
innocence in a fully inhabited and living
body. Lyrical is expansive like air and talks
the language of the soul.
• Stillness
In Stillness we physically practice the art
of completing and integrating; being vibrant
and alive with all our previous explorations
as they resonate. The breath is the ultimate
movement when everything slows down.
More present than ever to ourselves and to
the world outside, we enter a mysterious
space, both quiet and very alive. It is the art
of humility and wisdom; we do not dance: we
are danced.
Musical
improvisation
Musical improvisation (also known
as musical extemporization) is the creative
activity of immediate ("in the
moment") musical composition. which
combines performance with
communication of emotions and
instrumental technique as well as
spontaneous response to other musicians.
Sometimes musical ideas in improvisation
are spontaneous, but may be based on
chord changes in classical music and many
other kinds of music. One definition is a
"performance given extempore without
planning or preparation
• "Another definition is to "play or sing (music)
extemporaneously, by inventing variations on
a melody or creating new melodies, rhythms
and harmonies." Encyclopædia
Britannica defines it as "the extemporaneous
composition or free performance of a musical
passage, usually in a manner conforming to
certain stylistic norms but unfettered by the
prescriptive features of a specific musical
text. Improvisation is often done within (or
based on) a pre-existing harmonic framework
or chord progression.Improvisation is a major
part of some types of 20th-century music,
such as blues, jazz, and jazz fusion, in which
instrumental performers improvise solos,
melody lines and accompaniment parts.
 Improvisational theatre
• Improvisational theatre, often called improvisation or improv, is
the form of theatre, often comedy, in which most or all of what
is performed is unplanned or unscripted: created
spontaneously by the performers. In its purest form, the
dialogue, action, story, and characters are created
collaboratively by the players as the improvisation unfolds in
present time, without use of an already prepared,
written script.
• Improvisational theatre exists in performance as a range of
styles of improvisational comedy as well as some non-comedic
theatrical performances. It is sometimes used in film and
television, both to develop characters and scripts and
occasionally as part of the final product.
• Improvisational techniques are often used extensively in drama
programs to train actors for stage, film, and television and can
be an important part of the rehearsal process. However, the
Solving improvisational
challenges
• Improvisation cultivates a way of thinking that turns on the
willingness to say “yes” — to play with ideas and with
others — rather than judge or analyze. The rules that guide
this kind of engagement generate positive emotional
connections in groups while strengthening the “muscles”
associated with successful collaboration and creative
thinking under pressure. Unrehearsed, unedited
interactions guided by clear structure and agreement,
followed by cognitive reflection and discussion of the
thoughts and emotions that rise up in awareness bring the
here and now into focus. More than solving a specific
dilemma, the goal is developing a creative mindset that
expands the way we view and understand problems.
Spontaneity rises up naturally through improvisation warm-
ups and research shows that as spontaneity increases,
anxiety decreases and cognitive ability is enhanced. This
psychological and emotional state is what we need to
look at situations with new eyes and respond to problems
in novel ways.