Here's a collection of some words that we use in the improv community and their definitions. These aren't vetted or corroborated in anyway; just from me noggin. Let me know if you disagree or want to add something!
Improvisation - the act or art of composing music, poetry or
theater extemporaneously; based on the Italian word "improvvisare" which means
"unforeseen, unprepared."
Short-form - a rules-based game using improvisation (every
sentence is in alphabetical order, or in a genre-style.) ComedySportz uses
short-form games.
Long-form - a theatrical improvisation that typically lasts
30 to 60 minutes. Generally consisting of relationship-based scenes and organic
patterns. iO Theater focuses on long-form improvisation.
Sketch - a short, scripted scene.
Scene - a depiction of an occurrence between two (or more)
individuals, or an unit of a play or show.
Ad-lib - to improvise or add onto a scripted piece. Robin
Williams didn't improvise "Mrs. Doubtfire", but he ad-libbed extensively.
Level - all the main schools of improv (the Annoyance, iO,
Second City) all have courses of study with varying levels of class
instruction.
That's it for now! Let me know if you have a question or if
you think there's a word that should be added!
My word for May, 2009: serendipity
