Theatresports

Theatresports™ is a form of improvisational theatre, which uses the format of a competition for dramatic effect. Opposing teams can perform improvised scenes, with ratings by a panel of judges, or sometimes from the audience. Developed by director Keith Johnstone in Calgary, Alberta, in 1977, the concept of Theatresports originated in the 1950s with Johnstone's observations of techniques used in professional wrestling to generate heat, or audience reaction. In front of the audience the competitors seem intent on winning, but inside them is a mutual desire to create dynamic, interesting theatre through spontaneity skills, storytelling and supportive play. Theatresports™ is capable of inducing laughter, tears, sport event style screaming and provoking thought; while engaging and entertaining an audience. [1]

From the International Theatresports Institute Conference at Wurzburg in 2013. The ITI Conference happens every two years, with the next one scheduled for Trondheim Norway in 2022

Trademark

Use of the term "Theatresports" (which is a trademark and copyright of Keith Johnstone) is managed by the International Theatresports Institute, which licenses the Theatresports, Maestro and Gorilla Theatre formats. They have published guidebooks for each of these formats, with the rules, theory, and useful tips on playing. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in learning or performing these formats. Member groups pay royalties to the ITI (free for Education organizations), which goes towards developing further resources, and presenting the ITI Conference that happens in a different location around the world every two years. ITI membership is made up of theatre companies, individuals, and schools in 22 countries on 6 continents making it one of the largest improvisation networks in the world. impro.global

Derivatives

ComedySportz, started in 1984 in Milwaukee, WI,[2] tends to emphasise the sports competition format more than Theatresports, for example by having a referee who awards points and administers fouls. The Australian shows Thank God You're Here and TheatreGames LIVE follow a similar format to these shows. New York City's Face Off Unlimited has also adapted the concept to numerous productions. Two similar formats, Ligue nationale d'improvisation and Canadian Improv Games both also officially debuted in 1977 in Quebec and Ontario, respectively.


See also

References
  1. , Theatresports is the trademarked artistic creation of Keith Johnstone, licenses can be obtained through the International Theatresports Institute.
  2. "ComedySportz History". World Comedy League. Retrieved 2006-09-16.

Sources

Further reading
  • Foreman, Kathleen and Martini, Clem (1996). Something Like a Drug: An Unauthorized Oral History of Theatresports. Players Press. ISBN 0-88734-918-8 (paperback).
  1. https://impro.global/formats/theatresports
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