Self-experiencing in a specific form of acting improvisation

The improvising actor may experience a range of feelings that may not relate to the content of their improvisation or the themes that emerge during the improvisation. Some of these feelings are even considered negative, yet they can be a positive and activating impetus for the development of play. Using the example of a specific variant of acting improvisation, which is practised from 'point zero', the article demonstrates the influence that these feelings have on inducing the creative state of the actor. For my analysis, I will make use of, among other sources, students' written reflections of the practice of the psychosomatic discipline of Dialogical Acting with the Inner Partner, which was founded by Czech actor, director, psychologist, and acting teacher Ivan Vyskočil. I will primarily focus on the feelings of embarrassment, awkwardness, boredom, amazement, wonder, and joy in play.