The Improv Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Improvising in Comedy, Theatre, and Beyond (Performance Books)
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.20 (505 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 1350026166 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 520 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2014-01-25 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
The Improv Handbook is the most comprehensive, smart, helpful and inspiring guide to improv available today. Whether you're a beginner, an expert, or would just love to try it if you weren't too scared, The Improv Handbook will guide you every step of the way.. Applicable to comedians, actors, public speakers and anyone who needs to think on their toes, it features a range of games, interviews, descriptions and exercises that illuminate and illustrate the exciting world of improvised performance.First published in 2008, this second edition features a new foreword by comedian Mike McShane, as well as new exercises on endings, managing blind offers and master-servant games, plus new and expanded interviews with Keith Johnstone, Neil Mullarkey, Jeffrey Sweet and Paul Rogan.The Improv Handbook is a one-stop guide to the exciting world of improvisation
Should be renamed the ultimate "impro" handbook Richard Bennett A great book for beginning and advanced improvisors that explains exactly what the mechanics are of the authors' interpretation of the Keith Johnstone school of improvisation, and for that it deserves 5 stars. But the authors deeply misunderstand and arrogantly dismiss the entire Chicago/Del Close school of improv, under the guise of Keith and Del being equally valid methods.At the beginning they explain that there are differences and that they'll give fair treatment to both, but then. I hate to disagree, but Michael Burdick I am a huge believer in Amazon reviews and have written several. So I want to be careful and not sound like a crank! I own several improv books and am an experienced improv performer. As such, there is ALWAYS room for improvement, and I'm constantly learning more.That said, I can't recommend this book. The authors are egotistical in style and freely criticize others' works, including, of all things, M. Night Shyamalan! Huh?!? I find the reading to be very negative - kinda in oppositio. Absolutely the only improv book you need KM I teach high school theater and I can't recommend this book enough. I came across the Improv Handbook just by dumb luck (I think it was one of those Amazon recommendations) and it has changed my acting classes for the better across the board. It is wonderful for not only teaching improv, but for teaching the elements of storytelling which are so important in all areas of theater. It's fun to read, the exercises are clearly explained, the objectives are concrete, and the kids love it.T
Tom Salinsky is the co-founder (with Deborah Frances-White) of The Spontaneity Shop. They have toured the world and performed at many comedy festivals by invitation. He and Deborah have performed improvisation for the Royal Court, the RSC Summer Season, the Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Festival, and at the Bloomsbury Theatre. She's perfor
Summing Up: Highly recommended. The book can serve as both a scholarly resource, since it covers the history of improvisation from its beginnings to the present, and a practical guide, for the beginner and advanced improviser The authors include interviews with ten leading international improvisers, and they conclude with an appendix that details many of the most common improvisational games used in academic and professional settings. This book is a must for institutions supporting theater and performance programs. Co-founders of the London-based improvisational theater company The Spontaneity Shop, Salinsky and Frances-White provide a wonderful addition to the g