The Human Touch: Redefining the Art of British Contemporary Improvisational Theatre

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Chloé Arros

The Human Touch

Redefining the Art of British Contemporary Improvisational Theatre

Chloé Arros

$273

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Routledge
06 August 2024

Performance art; Theatre Studies; Physiological & neuro-psychology, biopsychology

Series: Routledge Advances in Theatre & Performance Studies

The Human Touch is a book focused on the creative processes at work in British contemporary improvisational theatre and how these processes draw on the humanity of the participants: their cognitive abilities, their lives, their relationships to each other.

Vulnerability is a main feature of both the book and of improvisational theatre, both part of the hurdles that improvisers face and a creative tool. Through a study of improvisation and vulnerability, the book teaches us both what makes improvisational theatre so human and opens the door to a reflection about how to use humanity and human emotions in performance. Most importantly, it delves into the cognitive and physiological processes at work in improvisation, a topic which is missing from most manuals and studies offered to students.

This book is addressed to theatre students and provides both an important overview of the form’s history and a challenge to what is usually taught about improvisation.

By: Chloé Arros
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781032390680
ISBN 10: 1032390689
Series: Routledge Advances in Theatre & Performance Studies
Pages: 200
Publication Date: 06 August 2024
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

List of Figures Preface Introduction Chapter 1. Improvisation 101: History and Rules Chapter 2. Live from the Brain: Navigating Spontaneous Creation Chapter 3. Improvising Bravely Chapter 4. Audience Connection: The Humanity of Participation Chapter 5. The Art of Vulnerability Conclusion Work Cited Index

Chloe Arros is an independent researcher with a PhD in performing arts from Royal Holloway, University of London. She is an expert in improvisational theatre. Her specific areas of expertise include improvisation history and artistry, the neuroscience of creativity, collaborative creativity and audience experience.