Spolin Part 2© Jon Blackstock
Aug 17, 2001
Spolin Notes from Chapter One of Improvisation for the Theatre
- If they are willing, everyone can act. In fact, "if the environment permits it," anyone can learn anything.
- Talent may actually be just the person's higher ability to experience.
- Experiencing means we get involved intellectually, physically, and intuitively. Of these, we often neglect intuition.
- "Spontaneity is the moment of personal freedom when we are faced with a reality when we are faced with a reality and see it, explore it and act accordingly."
- We have to have these things in our learning environment to reach our intuitive knowledge: an environment where learning can take place, participants who feel free to experience, activities that bring spontaneity.
- The games will present a problem, and you will use any problem solving techniques that the game permits to solve that problem. If we try new things and get out of line, it is easier to back down or try again than it is to add if we are too conservative.
What keeps us from our spontaneity-from the freedom to experience the world on our own? Approval/Disapproval
- We seek other people's approval so much that we experience only what they allow us to experience.
- We have the wish to be loved and the fear of rejection.
- Often, we either develop great egos and the wish to exhibit so that others will except us, or we become meek and wish to not show ourselves at all. Think of the people you know who are either one or the other. Which tactic do you use? Do you exhibit in some environments and hide in others?
What Spolin would tell you if she were here:
Everyone has to feel free to participate, and no one should either ride the group effort or dominate the procedure.
You are not competing, You are solving problems, usually as a group.
If you become stringently goal-oriented to the point that achieving your goal is all that matters, you will not experience the process and will feel cheated when you achieve the goal.
Because your teacher is also learning, he may say something stupid like, "Forget the audience." Do not forget the audience and do not feel that your are in a battle with the audience members. You are sharing your creative solutions with the audience. Speak clearly and let us see what you are doing.
Those who experience more in life can experience more on stage. Interact at every moment in your life with your surroundings, be aware of the air you breathe, be aware of your thoughts and experiences.
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The copyright of the article Spolin Part 2 in Teaching Theatre is owned by Jon Blackstock. Permission to republish Spolin Part 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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