Improvisation as a Creative Strategy in the Process of Performance Creation

Doctoral student: Olga Lapina
Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Oskaras Koršunovas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ramunė Balevičiūtė
Department: Acting and directing
Intended duration: 2015-2018

Abstract

Olga Lapina / photo Dmitrij Matvejev

In the research part of the present artistic doctorate project the definition and manifestation of improvisation is being discussed in different theatre forms. The main approaches to improvisation are being discussed in the context of European, American and Russian theatre traditions, with an emphasis on M. Butkevich theatre practice, where an important playful, improvisatory aspect appeared. The aim of this part is to explore improvisation as an effective method to educate theatre professionals, create a role or a performance and as a tool of creative liberation and enrichment. Improvisation is understood not only as an acting technique, but as a creative strategy, which enables appearance of new theatre forms.

The creative part of the artistic doctorate project is represented by performances, created with an improvisatory approach in different stages of creation: “About Fears” (State youth theatre), “Code: HAMLET” (Russian drama theatre of Lithuania), “The Word Factory” (State academic theatre of V. Mayakovsky).