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The greatest adventures ever told begin with curiosity. For instance, even though we've been doing it for as long as we can remember, we were curious to know what it means to "improvise".
Of course, we know how it feels from experience, but we struggle to communicate that indescribable sensation to others who haven't experienced it for themselves. Then, we recalled the wise words of an old friend with a curious hairstyle who said "Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information on it."
We're no authority on the meaning an age-old word like "improvisation", so we consulted our dear old friend Samuel Johnson. Here he is, reading high-brow definitions from his very own dictionary. We were so inspired that we decided we'd give it a go ourselves.
Sam published his last word in 1755, and has since died, so he was amazed to be learning about new words. He had so many questions, it was hard to get away. He was probably just glad of some company and a chat, to be honest. He doesn't get out much — but we digress.
Our Answer: Yes and No
Both are short for "improvisation", which is a bit of a mouthful. Depending on where you're from, you'll pronounce this word differently. They love im-prav-is-a-tion in the US (Chicago), and they enjoy im-pro-vi-sa-tion in the UK.
Thus, two obvious shorthands developed almost simultaneously.
Our Answer: Yes and No.
We use both words, but for different reasons.
It should comfort you to learn that the world is not divided over this issue. Insofar as we know, "improv" and "impro" clans have not waged war across the Atlantic over "the mystery of the appearing and disappearing V", as our friend Patti Stiles put it in a blog post that inspired us.
Although the likes of Pantene are unashamedly Pro-V with their hair products,
Some feel strongly about it, others don't, and most of our friends working in the "Impro" style tend to use both words interchangeably, like ourselves. So, really, it's
They come from different places.
Last we checked, the world was not at war over "
Everyone's putting their own stamp on things these days, and the difference between "Impro" and "improv" are putting their own stamp on things There's no blood being lost overWe have other things to worry about.
Before we go any further, we need to take a moment to talk about the trailblazer that was Viola Spolin — a pioneer of improvisation.
Viola Spolin was pioneering of improv, created improvisation acting exercises in
the 1940s and 50s in Chicago where people are known to pronounce
We find inspiration everywhere, as you'll see in diverse quotes scattered throughout our website, but nothing has influenced our style more than Keith Johnstone's Impro theory
Show formats like TheatreSports™, Maestro™ Impro and Gorilla Theatre™ require and inspire a particular set of values that stir up a euphoric "spirit" of play in players and audiences alike.
Grand Stretch is Ireland's leading member of the International TheatreSports™ Institute — the global community playing with Keith Johnstone’s Impro theory, methodology and show formats.
You'll learn more about our story elsewhere on the website.
Join us for An Hour of Play and see where it takes you — with Impro Courses, Focused Workshops and Show Time for all experience levels.
"In life, there are people who prefer to say 'yes', and there are people who prefer to say 'no'. Those who say 'yes' are rewarded by the adventures they have."
— Keith Johnstone
From Corporate Training programmes to bespoke Community Outreach, we enhance all aspects of personal and professional lives with Impro Theatre.
"It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed."
— Charles Darwin
Pick your show, get your tickets, take your seats and lean right in for an audience experience like no other. Welcome, folks — let us play!
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
— Maya Angelou
Grand Stretch ® is a member of the International Theatresports™ Institute and holds a licence to perform Keith Johnstone's TheatreSports™.
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