Five (plus or minus 2) Guiding Principles of Improvisational Performance Relevant to the Practice, Research and Teaching of Therapy

Abstract

Abstract This paper provides a brief history of improvisational theater, beginning with its roots in pre-literate oral traditions. Five (more or less) key elements of improvisational theater are presented and explained. These five themes include: (1) relational action; (2) contextual sensitivity; (3) problem solving experience; (4) narrative patterns; and (5) no rules, no failures. How these five elements are relevant to the practice, research and teaching of family therapy is then discussed.