The Art of Presence, Listening, and Inclusion

Músicos da Soundpainting Barreiro Improv Big Band e o soundpainter Mário Abel

Improvisational theatre is, by nature, a space for human encounter. In it, artists construct narratives in the moment, without a pre-defined script, relying on listening, generosity, and collaboration. Soundpainting , a gestural language created by Walter Thompson in the 1970s, functions as a multidisciplinary "vocabulary" that allows for directing performers in real time. When these two practices intersect, a vibrant, spontaneous, and profoundly inclusive artistic territory is born.

In theatrical improvisation, everything begins with acceptance: of the moment, of the other person, and of the unexpected. The famous "yes, and..." rule creates an environment where no idea is discarded from the start. This principle makes improvisation, in itself, inclusive—it values all contributions, regardless of experience level, artistic training, age, or cultural background.

Soundpainting expands this inclusion in an even more concrete way. It involves more than 1,500 gestures that communicate instructions to musicians, actors, dancers, visual artists, and any other type of performer. The soundpainter , through gesture, "composes" live, and the group responds.

This language becomes inclusive for several reasons:

It doesn't depend on speech – gestures are universal. People who don't share the same language, or who have speech limitations, communicate without barriers. It's a bridge between different cultures, realities, and abilities.

It's suitable for all experience levels - the sound painter can adjust the complexity of the commands to the group. From beginners to highly technical professionals, everyone finds room to contribute meaningfully.

It values all forms of expression - in soundpainting, what matters is the intention, not technical perfection. A simple movement, an unexpected sound, a look — everything has value. This allows people with different motor, cognitive, or sensory abilities to participate fully.

It promotes listening and cooperation - just like in improvisation, the focus is on the collective. Art is born from the response to gesture and the interaction between performers. Each person is necessary for the construction of the moment.

When we combine theatrical improvisation with sound painting , we create an environment where any body and any voice become legitimate artistic instruments. The director of the improvisation—the sound painter —guides the group's energy, but the group maintains creative autonomy.

Both improvisational theatre and sound painting share the same fundamental principle: creation happens through encounter. In improvisation, we find freedom; in sound painting, a shared grammar that enhances that freedom. The result is a profoundly inclusive, collaborative, and human art form.

In a world that still struggles with barriers and divisions, improvisation and soundpainting remind us that it is possible to create together — even when we come from different places.