Viola Spolin

By: Samantha Duran

Viola SpolinBorn: Illinois November 7, 1906 Died: November 22, 1994

Viola Spolin was born November 7, 1906 in Chicago Illinois. She left her home in Chicago and went to New York

to give her best shot at becoming an actress. When she was unable to find work, she returned home and in doing

so she transformed the American theatre. She then finally got to act.

New York Chicago, Illinois

Viola’s main accomplishments in life were…….

She wrote a book about actor exercises, and shows her

plays that she wrote

Becoming an actor and play writer.

Making actor exercises.

Viola was known as the “ teacher”.She taught actors very important exercises. There are a lot of famous quotes byher such as……… Through spontaneity we are re-formed into ourselves. It creates an explosion that for the moment frees us from handed-down frames of reference, memory choked with old facts and information and undigested theories and techniques of other people's findings. Spontaneity is the moment of personal freedom when we are faced with reality, and see it, explore it and act accordingly. In this reality the bits and pieces of ourselves function as an organic whole. It is the time of discovery, of experiencing, of creative expression.

~ Viola Spolin~

Improvisation Susan: Oh girls do I look good for my date?

Lucy: Oh Susan you look wonderful!

Susan: My oh my I look like I’m 32 again now don’t I ?

Maria: You still look 62 to me?

Lucy: Maria…. ( surprised) Susan don’t listen to her you look great now tell us about your date? What’s he like?

Susan: Oh girls he’s wonderful he’s sweet , he understands me and oh I think I’m in love ( smiles)

Lucy: How old is he?

Susan: Well…….. That’s the problem he’s…..he’s…..he’s 32 .(looks away embarrasses)

Lucy: Well don’t let that stop you !!!

( Door bell rings)

Susan: Huhh its him!!! Well I’ll see you girls lata. (opens door) Ohhh….. Well Hello Robert.

Robert: Hi Susan are you ready?

Susan: Of course!

( now at a restaurant eating and talking)

Robert: You know Susan I just love your eyes and the way you talk it just incredible

Susan: Well thank you honey( southern accent)

Robert: Because when I’m with you I feel like I’m………like I’m close to my mom

Susan: ( surprisesd) ohhh,…… well then in that cases WAITER WE NEED OUR TICKET !!!!!! ( leaving )

It was really nice knowing you Robert but its not going to work ( chuckles) bye bye

Robert: oh ok then well thank you …….Mom( smiling )

Susan: ( disgusted) goodbye you brat ( walks away)

I have learned so much from Viola spolin. I’ve learned that she was most famous for her actor exercises. Plus she wrote her own

book and she never gave up on becoming a actress. To me that means a lot because I my self would like to be an actress and a

musician and sing. That is my dream one day. That’s why I enjoy my class and Viola Spolin has been a big part in my life I have

seen her plays exercises and I am truly moved by it. I hope that I one day can be like Viola Spooling and be a actress and a singer in the feature. That is my feature goal.