Impro (improvisational theatre) is a form of theater in which players create scenes and stories together without a script or setting. It is also used in school education and corporate training to enhance teamwork, communication, and creativity. This course is designed to learn about communication through the experience of impro which is attracting attention as a new method of learning and team building. We will also deepen our thinking by reading a book on dialogue and discussing it in a world café style.
The aim is to acquire practical and improvisational communication skills and to learn the basic concepts of impro and dialogue.
To enhance practical and improvisational communication skills
To learn the basic ideas of impro and dialogue
communication, impro, improvisation, creativity, teamwork, leadership, dialogue, group work
Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
In-person workshop.
Impro workshop: Through improvisation games and activities, students will move their minds and bodies and learn from each other.
World café: Students will read a book on dialogue and discuss it.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Orientation and ice breaking | Experience and short report |
Class 2 | Impro workshop (1): Creativity and self-censorship, world café chapter 1 | Reading textbook, experience and short report |
Class 3 | Impro workshop (2): Verbal and Nonverbal communication, world café chapter 2 | Reading textbook, experience and short report |
Class 4 | Physical workshop (1): Physical expression activities (in the auditorium) | Experience and short report |
Class 5 | Physical workshop (2): Leadership and control sharing (in the auditorium) | Experience and short report |
Class 6 | Impro workshop (3): Giving your partner a good time, world café chapter 3 | Reading textbook, experience and short report |
Class 7 | Reflecting on the final report, world café chapters 4 and 5 | Reading textbook, writing the final report, experience and short report |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Nakahara, Jun. Manners of Discussion. PHP Business Shinsho, 2022 (Japanese) (You may also purchase the book on Kindle.)
Takao, Takashi & Nakahara, Jun. Improvising Organization. Sanseido, 2012. (Japanese)
Other instructions will be given as appropriate.
Short report, participation and contribution 70%
Final report 30%
No previous theatrical experience is necessary. Active participation and involvement are appreciated.
Please be sure not to be late for class as group work is the main part of the class. 30 minutes or more late is not considered as attendance.
Please read the relevant chapter of the textbook in preparation for the world café. (If you have not read it, you will not be allowed to participate.)
Please wear comfortable clothes to class as there will be physical activities in each class.