What is a role-playing game or a live-action role-playing game?
Think of a role-playing game as a Choose Your Own Adventure story, but instead of only one main character (you the reader) there are several (you and the other players) and instead of a book providing the plot and choices you can make there is a person who has created the plot and storylines for the game, and whom you relay information to regarding your character’s decisions and actions.
A live-action role-playing game takes this one step further because instead of sitting around a table telling each other about the actions of your character -- what they say and do -- you become your character much like an actor or actress takes on a role for a movie. There is usually a person or group of people that run the plot and story lines that you, as your character, interact with.
Live-action role-playing games are sometimes referred to as improvisational theater since there is no script that is followed, only plot opportunities that are detailed and that must be discovered, and because all members take part in the telling and shaping of the storylines that are presented.
Are live-action role-playing games improvisational theater?
Live-action role-playing games are sometimes referred to as improvisational theater events since there is no script that is followed. There are only plot opportunities that are detailed enough to determine the trigger that causes the plot opportunity to start and the causes and effects that can happen during the course of the event. It is also an artistic event in that all members take part in the telling and shaping of the storylines that are presented by playing characters that they created (these being the main characters of the story) or supporting characters (managed by a group of people to help drive storylines and support plot opportunities).
All members involved in an event are actors or actresses acting out their character's or supporting character's part for the duration of the event. The main characters are only limited to what they can do by the rules used and have no script they follow. Supporting characters, while also being limited by the rules and not following a set script, have assigned goals to attempt to accomplish before they leave the "stage." Even those "directing" the event will commonly play a character. Directing an event consists of handling rules calls and making sure that plot opportunities are provided at the right time or when a trigger event happens.