Narrative Arc
The dramatic structure of a story as it develops through a beginning, middle, and end in an improvised performance. Narrative formats require improvisers to track plot threads, develop characters over time, and build toward resolution, skills distinct from those used in non-narrative montage work.
Mentioned In
Further Reading
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The Art of Chicago Improv
Short Cuts to Long-Form Improvisation
Rob Kozlowski
Getting to Yes And
The Art of Business Improv
Bob Kulhan; Chuck Crisafulli
Embodied Playwriting
Improv and Acting Exercises for Writing
Hillary Haft Bucs; Charissa Menefee
The Applied Improvisation Mindset
Tools for Transforming Individuals, Organizations, and Communities
Theresa Robbins Dudeck; Caitlin McClure
Putting Improv to Work
Spontaneous Performance for Leadership, Learning, and Life
Greg Hohn
Creating Improvised Theatre
Tools, Techniques, and Theories
Mark Jane
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Narrative Arc. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/learn-improv/concepts/narrative-arc
The Improv Archive. "Narrative Arc." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/learn-improv/concepts/narrative-arc.
The Improv Archive. "Narrative Arc." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/learn-improv/concepts/narrative-arc. Accessed March 17, 2026.
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