From Commedia dell-Arte and Vaudeville, to Jacques LeCoq and Stephen Colbert, improvisatory and devised theatre has a rich and fascinating tradition of political, social and artistic subversions. The course will explore various histories and theories of improvisation, and experiment with it in practice. Students will be exposed to a variety of traditions and techniques through readings, viewings and experimentation. Some classes will be devoted mainly to discussions, and some mainly to the practice of improvisation and devising (there can be overlap between discussion and practice in any given class).  Students are expected to come to each session fully prepared to discuss all assigned materials, and to participate in all exercises and improvisations.