Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Find the Key to Discovery with Viola Spolin

Publication Date

Spring 4-1-2023

College

Music and Performing Arts, College of

Department

Theatre and Dance, Department of

BURS Faculty Advisor

Jim Al-shamma

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract

If you have ever played a theatre game, you have encountered the brilliance of Viola Spolin, whether you know it or not. As the mother of theatre education and improvisational theatre, Spolin’s impact on American acting is indisputable. Most theatre artists will be educators at some point in their careers, whether it be in a school, taking on one-on-one lessons for some extra cash, or coaching their friends and family. An understanding of Spolin’s theories will empower artists to teach, communicate, and demonstrate theatrical ideas with maximum impact. Presently, too few artists take advantage of the resources that are available in this regard. Spolin’s pedagogy stresses autonomy over learning and the discoveries that come from play and exploration. Although her methods may seem ill-suited to the structure of the contemporary classroom, they offered the promise of a pedagogical approach that could significantly improve education.

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