Improvisation, Clowning and Circus Skills in the MYP
Statement of Inquiry:
Human identity is revealed
What is Improvisation?
Improvisation or devised theatre is theatre that is spontaneous, ‘made-up’ or does not rely on a script. Improvisational and devised theatre is one of the oldest 'styles' of theatre. Since drama pre-dates the invention of writing, long before we started writing scripts we were telling stories by acting them out. The oldest drama, the oral tradition of storytelling developed and survived not just because storytellers were able to remember old stories, but also because they were able to improvise, change and adapt old stories and because they were able to develop new stories which related to new contexts. Likewise, the old drama forms of dance drama and mask drama survived primarily because new movements, new masks and variations were constantly developed to adapt and add new situations, stories and characters.
Many different theatre styles and practitioners use improvisation as either a process or product technique (e.g commedia dell’arte, ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’, Theatresports and clowning). directors, playwrights, actors and producers) have different methods of playbuilding. We will be using the improvisation skills, in order to develop your ability to be creative, innovative and respond to situations and people.
Why Clowning and Circus Skills?
Clowning and Circus skills teach us how to reflect on patterns, habits and rituals holding up a mirror or looking through a window to life. The key to clowning is playfulness. The key to circus skills is concentration, tenacity, team work and working well with others.
Comedy is also a form of communication in society. Comedy can help social, psychological and emotional health.
The process of learning Clowning and Circus skills involves improvisation, practice, reflecting and problem solving. Working with others to refine your own skills or working with others to develop a routine all help to develop us as performers but more importantly as people who are life-long learners.
Statement of Inquiry:
Human identity is revealed
What is Improvisation?
Improvisation or devised theatre is theatre that is spontaneous, ‘made-up’ or does not rely on a script. Improvisational and devised theatre is one of the oldest 'styles' of theatre. Since drama pre-dates the invention of writing, long before we started writing scripts we were telling stories by acting them out. The oldest drama, the oral tradition of storytelling developed and survived not just because storytellers were able to remember old stories, but also because they were able to improvise, change and adapt old stories and because they were able to develop new stories which related to new contexts. Likewise, the old drama forms of dance drama and mask drama survived primarily because new movements, new masks and variations were constantly developed to adapt and add new situations, stories and characters.
Many different theatre styles and practitioners use improvisation as either a process or product technique (e.g commedia dell’arte, ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’, Theatresports and clowning). directors, playwrights, actors and producers) have different methods of playbuilding. We will be using the improvisation skills, in order to develop your ability to be creative, innovative and respond to situations and people.
Why Clowning and Circus Skills?
Clowning and Circus skills teach us how to reflect on patterns, habits and rituals holding up a mirror or looking through a window to life. The key to clowning is playfulness. The key to circus skills is concentration, tenacity, team work and working well with others.
Comedy is also a form of communication in society. Comedy can help social, psychological and emotional health.
The process of learning Clowning and Circus skills involves improvisation, practice, reflecting and problem solving. Working with others to refine your own skills or working with others to develop a routine all help to develop us as performers but more importantly as people who are life-long learners.