what is improv

Improv, short for improvisation, is a form of live theatre in which most or all of what is performed is unplanned or unscripted, created spontaneously by the performers. The plot, characters, and dialogue of a game, scene, or story are made up in the moment, often with the help of suggestions from the audience or other sources of inspiration. Improv is unique in that if you see a performance, there will never be another show or scene exactly like it ever done again. Improv can be purely comedy-based, a mix of both comedy and drama, or just drama. Improv is different every time and can differ between different improv troupes, depending on their training, goals, and style. Improv is used in film and television to develop characters and scripts and occasionally as part of the final product. Improv 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. Improv is spontaneous, entertaining, and fun, and it helps build confidence, connection, empathy, collaboration skills, communication skills, and pretty much any other skill.