Taken by Surprise: A Dance Improvisation Reader

This collection of classic and contemporary writings on dance improvisation brings together 21 essays by prominent dancers, scholars and historians. It reflects the development of improvisation as a compositional and performance mode in a wide variety of dance contexts, including dance traditions from around the globe, such as Yoruban masked dance, Indian Bharatanatyam and flamenco. The book also considers computer-aided choreography, recent innovations in tap dancing and improvisation in everyday life. Combining primary sources with critical analysis, it should serve as a companion to studio work in improvisation.