. Spolin had developed a unique approach to the theater based on a knowledge of the constructive potential of play. Spolin created games designed to encourage creativity and so made play the catalyst for self-expression and self-realization (Sweet xvi-xvii). Sills had grown up with theater games and had performed in theater productions directed by his mother (Sweet xix).
The newly-formed Compass Theater opened in 1955 with its first production, directed by paul Sills from his scenario, the Game of Hurt, with Elaine May, David Shepherd, Robert Coughlan, Loretta Chiljian, Sid Lazard, and Roger Bowen. This was the beginning of an explosion of creative energy a
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