History of Improv Theatre
Improvisational theatre, commonly known as improv, is a form of theatre
where most or all of the performance is created spontaneously, without a
script. The history of improv is rich, with roots stretching back to ancient
times and evolving into a formalized, widely-practiced theatrical art form.
Ancient Beginnings
Improv has its origins in ancient theatre, with early forms of it appearing in
Roman and Greek theatre. The Commedia dell'Arte, a theatrical form
that developed in Italy in the 16th century, was one of the first structured
improvisational performances. This type of theatre relied on actors
improvising within a framework of stock characters and scenarios, bringing
comedy and spontaneity to performances.
20th Century and Modern Improv
The development of improv as we know it today began in the early 20th
century. In 1921, Russian theatre practitioner Konstantin Stanislavski
began using improvisation as part of his acting technique, helping actors
better understand their roles through spontaneous performance. His work
had a significant influence on acting styles around the world.
In the 1930s and 1940s, American educators and theatre artists began
experimenting with improv as a training tool. Viola Spolin, considered the
"mother of improv," was particularly influential. Spolin developed a series of
theatre games aimed at engaging actors in improvisation exercises. Her
work laid the groundwork for modern improv theatre, and her son, Paul
Sills, co-founded The Compass Players, which would later evolve into The
Second City, one of the most famous improv troupes in the world.
Chicago and the Growth of Improv
Chicago is often considered the birthplace of modern improv. In the 1950s,
the Compass Players and later The Second City brought improv into the
mainstream. The Second City, founded in 1959, became a major hub for
improvisational comedy and has launched the careers of many famous
comedians, including John Belushi, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and Stephen
Colbert.
In the 1960s and 1970s, improv troupes began forming in other parts of the
United States, notably in New York City and Los Angeles. Improv became
more associated with comedy, particularly with the rise of Saturday Night
Live (SNL), which featured many former improv performers.
Improv as a Global Phenomenon
By the late 20th century, improv had spread across the globe, with theaters
and schools dedicated to the form appearing in many countries. In addition
to live performances, improv techniques are now widely used in acting
training, corporate team-building, therapy, and education. Shows like
"Whose Line Is It Anyway?" popularized improv for TV audiences in the
1990s and 2000s, further boosting its appeal.
Improv has evolved into various styles, from short-form games (such as
those seen on "Whose Line") to long-form improv (pioneered by Del Close
and Harold teams), where entire plays are improvised in a more structured
way.
First and last name____________________________
Date_________Period________
20-Question Multiple Choice Quiz on Improv Theatre
1. What is the primary characteristic of improvisational theatre?
o A) Use of elaborate sets
o B) Scripted dialogue
o C) Spontaneous performance
o D) Dance routines
2. Which ancient theatrical form is an early example of improv?
o A) Roman pantomime
o B) Greek tragedy
o C) Commedia dell’Arte
o D) Kabuki theatre
3. Who is considered the “mother of improv” due to her work in
developing theatre games?
o A) Viola Spolin
o B) Uta Hagen
o C) Stella Adler
o D) Lee Strasberg
4. In which city did modern improv theatre develop most prominently?
o A) New York
o B) Los Angeles
o C) Chicago
o D) San Francisco
5. The Second City, an iconic improv theatre, was founded in which
year?
o A) 1949
o B) 1959
o C) 1969
o D) 1979
6. Which famous American television show helped popularize improv
comedy in the 1990s?
o A) Saturday Night Live
o B) Whose Line Is It Anyway?
o C) The Office
o D) Mad TV
7. What is the name of the theatrical style where actors use
spontaneous, unscripted dialogue based on audience suggestions?
o A) Long-form improv
o B) Stand-up comedy
o C) Short-form improv
o D) Sketch comedy
8. Which famous improv performer and teacher is known for creating
the long-form improv structure called “The Harold”?
o A) Tina Fey
o B) Del Close
o C) Amy Poehler
o D) Bill Murray
9. Which theatre practitioner introduced improvisational exercises as
part of actor training in the early 20th century?
o A) Konstantin Stanislavski
o B) Jerzy Grotowski
o C) Bertolt Brecht
o D) Sanford Meisner
10.What is a key difference between long-form and short-form improv?
o A) Long-form uses pre-written scripts
o B) Short-form focuses on games and quick sketches
o C) Short-form lasts several hours
o D) Long-form has no audience interaction
11.Which of the following is NOT commonly associated with improv
theatre?
o A) Teamwork
o B) Spontaneity
o C) Memorization
o D) Audience participation
12.The improv technique of accepting and building on offers made by
other performers is known as:
o A) Blocking
o B) Yes, and…
o C) Denial
o D) Interruption
13.Which of these cities is home to the Upright Citizens Brigade, a
famous improv troupe?
o A) London
o B) Los Angeles
o C) Chicago
o D) Paris
14.The British version of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" first aired in:
o A) 1985
o B) 1988
o C) 1991
o D) 1995
15.Improv can also be used outside of theatre for purposes such as:
o A) Educational workshops
o B) Corporate training
o C) Therapy
o D) All of the above
16.Which stock characters were a key feature of Commedia dell'Arte?
o A) Pantalone, Harlequin, and Zanni
o B) Romeo, Juliet, and Mercutio
o C) Oedipus, Jocasta, and Tiresias
o D) Hamlet, Ophelia, and Polonius
17.Which famous actor-comedian got their start with Second City and
later starred on "Ghostbusters"?
o A) Dan Aykroyd
o B) Eddie Murphy
o C) Steve Martin
o D) Robin Williams
18.Which of the following is a foundational principle of improv acting?
o A) Pre-planning scenes
o B) Blocking other actors’ ideas
o C) Active listening
o D) Using scripted lines
19.The popular improv game where one actor leaves the room, and the
audience assigns them a secret identity is called:
o A) Freeze Tag
o B) Party Quirks
o C) Scenes from a Hat
o D) The Dating Game
20.Viola Spolin's improvisational work was first developed for:
o A) Broadway actors
o B) Children and immigrant populations
o C) Film stars
o D) Political leaders
