ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the first part of this book. The part demonstrates how cognitive science can influence contemporary practice in different genres – one improvisatory and one scripted. It explores interdisciplinary studies of cognitive science and dance improvisation, while Jeanne Klein applies basic cognitive-affective principles of child development to the field of Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA). The part explains that in dance for the stage, improvisation can be used to create new material that is then 'set' in choreography or incorporated into a system or score in performance. It indicates how lively and exploratory the field of cognitive theatre and performance studies has become in its application of scientific theories to the practices of performance. While there are varied opinions within the field, there is a widespread recognition that the Cartesian separation of mind and body that was implicit in earlier explanations of practice is no longer valid or helpful.
