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Viola Spolin Publishes Her Theater Games

Viola Spolin created theater games that became the basis of improv.

10/22/2021 | Rating NR

Chicago Stories

Viola Spolin Publishes Her Theater Games

Clip: 10/22/2021 | 3m 47sVideo has Closed Captions

Viola Spolin created theater games that became the basis of improv.

Viola Spolin created theater games that became the foundation of improvisational theater and comedy.

10/22/2021 | Rating NR

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Chicago Stories is a local public television program presented by WTTW

Leadership support for CHICAGO STORIES is provided by The Negaunee Foundation. Major support for CHICAGO STORIES is provided by the Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust, TAWANI Foundation on behalf of...

The Artists that Grew in Chicago

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Clip: 10/22/2021 | 4m 23s | Many actors and comedians got their start in the Chicago comedy scene. (4m 23s)

Hull House and the Origins of Improvisation

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Clip: 10/22/2021 | 6m 7s | The origins of improv comedy are at Chicago’s Hull House in the early 20th century. (6m 7s)

Improv Game Demonstration: Contact

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Clip: 10/22/2021 | 2m 21s | Improvisers demonstrate a Viola Spolin game called Contact at The Second City. (2m 21s)

Improv Game Demonstration: Gibberish Interpreter

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Clip: 10/22/2021 | 2m 25s | Improvisers demonstrate a Viola Spolin game, Gibberish Interpreter, at The Second City. (2m 25s)

Improv Game Demonstration: Mirror

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Clip: 10/22/2021 | 2m 18s | Improvisers demonstrate a Viola Spolin game called Mirror at The Second City. (2m 18s)

Improv Game Demonstration: Parts of a Whole

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Clip: 10/22/2021 | 1m 42s | Improvisers demonstrate a Viola Spolin game called Parts of a Whole at The Second City. (1m 42s)

Improv Game Demonstration: Spacewalk

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Clip: 10/22/2021 | 2m 26s | Improvisers demonstrate a Viola Spolin game called Spacewalk at The Second City. (2m 26s)

Inventing Improv: A Chicago Stories Special Trailer

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Preview: 10/22/2021 | 58s | The story of how Viola Spolin sparked the improvisational theater movement in Chicago. (58s)

Jeffrey Sweet on "Contact"

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Clip: 10/22/2021 | 1m 21s | Jeffrey Sweet describes the origins of the game "Contact." (1m 21s)

The Playwrights Theatre Club and the Compass Players

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Clip: 10/22/2021 | 13m 44s | Viola Spolin’s son created two theater groups that became the first early improv theaters. (13m 44s)

Recognize These Improvisers?

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Clip: 10/22/2021 | 1m 9s | Do these improvisers look familiar? (1m 9s)

The Transformative Power of Improv

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Clip: 10/22/2021 | 4m 9s | Viola Spolin’s theaters games are more than just games. (4m 9s)

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Chicago Stories is a local public television program presented by WTTW

Leadership support for CHICAGO STORIES is provided by The Negaunee Foundation. Major support for CHICAGO STORIES is provided by the Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust, TAWANI Foundation on behalf of...

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