Originally a form of improvised dance, the core elements of Contact Improvisation – rolling, counterbalance, minimal effort lifts, full body focus, and breathing – soon became adopted by acting training programs, including at Utah State. Through a heightened focus on storytelling without words, movements in Contact Improv lead to the development of character by engaging every part of the actor’s body in the performance. As a teacher of Contact Improv for more than ten years, I’ve seen the magic of the ability of an actor to listen and respond with their body to what is happening to them in real time.

Jason Spelbring is an actor, director, and educator. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts at Utah State University – Caine College of the Arts. Jason is a proud graduate of the two-year professional actor training program at The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA). He holds his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting from Webster University’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts and his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Acting from the University of California, Irvine.

Some of Jason’s theatre credits include Juliet in the UK Premiere of Joe Calarco’s Shakespeare’s R&J, Arts Theatre, West End, London. Other Credits: Bath Shakespeare Festival, PCPA/Theaterfest, Centerpoint Theatre, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare East – Boston, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Musical Theatre West – Long Beach, and six seasons at the Tony Award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx