the history of improvisational theatre

[Manuel]

As I'm writing an MA about improv, I need to write a segment about the history of improvisation. Now I know of Second City and Spolin and Johnstone, but all I hear are very subjective amounts on how it got started.

Where can I find scientific objective facts about the history of improvised theatre? Also, what happened between Commedia Dell Arte and the Compass? When did Johnstone tour with his "Theatre Machine"? Wat happened before Commedia dell'Arte?

Also, my MA is about music in improvised theatre. Does anyone know about the history of when music came in? I don't think there's anything about that published, so I'd need contact with the people who started it. I believe there was a piano player at the Compass, but I don't know, if he improvised.

To my knowledge Johnstone only uses prerecorded music.

Please post everything you know, or give me some contacts, my e-mail is webmaster@improvland.com

btw, I'll be in Chicago and NYC this September. If anybody wants to show me around the town, showing me improv shows and people to interview, or a couch to sleep on, drop me a note at webmaster@improvland.com

 

[funnyerik9]

Some Books and other sources....

Some books to start:

"Something Wonderful Right Away" by Jeffrey Sweet
"The Compass"
"Second City" by Donna McCrohan

An interesting person to interview in Chicago, and someone who hasn't had much print written about her except a little in the McCrohan book, is Jo Forsberg of Players Workshop. She was there from the beginning and was really the one who created the learning workshops after she took the reins from Viola Spolin. She's a good friend of mine and I think history has treated her unfairly. I'm sure she would be happy to talk to you.

-Erik:up:

 

[Manuel]

.

Yes, I would love to talk to her.

Can you e-mail me your E-mail adress, funnyeric? Mine is webmaster@improvland.com