Contrary to popular belief, improvisation wasn’t created in 1977 by the “Ligue nationale d’improvisation” (LNI). In fact, this form of theatre has existed for so many years that it’s impossible to pinpoint its exact origin. We can see it present at various points in history, all over the world.
The LNI is considered the mother of all leagues, at least in Quebec. It was the first, and its impact was so significant that public interest and demand led to the creation of numerous leagues throughout the province.
Even though the true origins of this art form are practically untraceable, its relevance remains evident in Quebec today. This movement, often represented through comedic plays, is a very Quebecois art form, although we can’t attribute improvisation solely to this province.
Since the creation of the LNI, improvisation has undergone several changes. Initially, rules were established to provide a standardized structure for matches. Over time, some rules have changed or disappeared, while others have been added. All of this is aimed at pushing the actors’ creativity to the limits.
Some leagues even choose to create their own rules. For example, some leagues incorporate the audience into their matches, asking them to suggest directions. Sometimes, there are even musicians whose role is to help the improvisers and the audience immerse themselves in the sketches. By allowing themselves this flexibility, they are aware that their legitimacy won’t be recognized by everyone, but they believe it’s worth it. Indeed, they value and prioritize enjoyment over a more rigid and traditional structure. Breaking conventions allows for the exploration of an art form and the discovery of new aspects that make it unique and bring it closer to the culture from which it is based.
The most prominent figures in improvisation include the founders of the LNI: Robert Gravel and Yvon Leduc, as well as many participating artists recognized for their skill. Among many others are Sophie Caron, Pierre Curzi, Robert Lepage, and Marie Michaud (these four, along with Robert Gravel, have improvisation trophies named in their honor). Also worth mentioning are Jean-Pierre Ronfard and Pol Pelletier, co-founders with Robert Gravel of the “Théâtre Expérimental de Montréal” (TEM). The TEM was the predecessor of the LNI, in the sense that, although it was not solely dedicated to or specialized in improvisation, it inspired the creation of the LNI.
Improvisation gained significant importance in Quebec culture, partly due to schools adopting it as an educational activity. Following the LNI, many improvisation leagues emerged, many within schools. Among the most popular were the “Ligue d’improvisation scolaire” (LIS) and the “Ligue scolaire d’improvisation” (LSI).
Improvisation has also spread to other parts of the world. Indeed, after a tour by the LNI in 1981, France created its own improvisation league: the “Ligue d’improvisation française” (LIF). Two years later, Belgium followed suit. This art form became so popular that, seven years after the LIF’s creation, more people were practicing improvisation in France than in Quebec.
Today, improvisation leagues of all levels (school, college, professional, etc.) can be found all around the globe.
People practice improvisation primarily for entertainment, but there are benefits that most people are unaware of. In fact, this is an activity that can have positive psycho-emotional effects in addition to stimulating creativity. Among the most notable effects, we find an improvement in self-confidence: the essence of improvisation is to try without fear of making mistakes. There is also a reduction in stress: a person who improvises is often so immersed in their act that they do not worry about the external world. Additionally, there is an improvement in the ability to form and maintain relationships with others: improvisation is an activity that is done in a group, which means one has to know how to live in harmony with their teammates and even their opponents. Finally, there’s the ability to solve problems better: in improv, we don’t know what will happen, but we still have to be able to find solutions in a short time to allow the match to proceed smoothly.
