| IMPROVISATION SELECTIONS |
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Book Recommendations |
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 Impro
: Improvisation and the Theatre
Another classic book. This is the one that many claim prompted the "Theatre Sports" craze. Regarded by many as the only book
on improvisation that you'll ever need - there is far mare to the process
than most "Theatre Sportsters" begin to realise,
Make sure you check out Keith's latest book... Impro
for Storytellers by Keith Johnstone
With over two hundred dramatic
situations, this volume is by far the most extensive sourcebook available
for nurturing young actors' improvisational work. The range is vast. Sandra
Caruso includes everything from beloved classics to folk and fairy tales
to
Also available in hardcover
Acts of Service provides a rationale for contemporary, interactive, nonscripted theatre and connects it to the earliest forms of storytelling. There are chapters on spontaneity, improvisational performance, and theatre for social ecology. The author draws upon his experience as founder of Playback Theatre, an improvisational story theatre, oral studies, psychodrama, and years spent in the third world.
Viola Spolin was regarded as an exemplary teacher of theatre and performance - this third edition of her famous book contains over 30 NEW exercises and activities and has updates of over 200 of Viola's original classics. The book also has a new foreword that brings new life to these seemingly timeless Drama lessons. Theater Game File (Index Cards and Handbook) Mask Improvisation for Actor Training & Performance : The Compelling Image An excellent text covering numerous aspects of mask; including historical aspects, neutral mask, character mask and the manufacture, construction and design of masks. This is one of the best books I've seen on mask work. I believe it is an absolute must for any teacher wanting to teach with masks. Acting
Out : The Workbook : A Guide to the Development and Presentation
One where the title really seems to sum up the material quite well. This book looks at the uses of Drama in addressing personal, and social concerns. Not quite psychodrama. Active Acting : Exercises and Improvisations Leading to Performance Another useful improvisation book.  Improvisation
Starters : A Collection of 900 Improvisation Situations for the Theater
Very useful in the classroom when you just run out of ideas, this book can help get the grey matter moving again. An effective teacher of Drama or Theatre Arts will find a plethora of ideas in the use of these starters. The ideas are simply and effectively arranged and can provide the basis of some very effective improvistaional activities. It is important to remember to extend the possibilities beyond mere "sketch" drama and allow students to fully explore the possibilities of the situations presented.
Activities and workshops for drama students.
Improvising Shakespeare : Reading for the Stage A series of practical exercises for exploring the dynamic process of moving a written text to the stage. Eight Shakespearean scenes are analysed and translated to the stage. Action
Theater : The Improvisation of Presence
Each chapter of this book presents a single day of the twenty-day training which Ruth Zaporah developed into Action Theater, her investigation into the life-reflecting process of improvisation. This book shows through excercises, stories, anecdotes, and metaphors how to focus attention on the body's awareness of the present moment, moving away from preconceived ideas. Improvisations move through fear, boredom, laziness, and distraction to a sustained awareness of creative options. Truth
in Comedy : The Manual of Improvisation
Who would have ever thought that learning the finer points of improvisation could be such fun? The "Harold," an innovative improvisational tool, helped Saturday Night Live's Mike Myers and Chris Farley, George Wendt (Norm on "Cheers") and many other actors on the road to TV and film stardom. Now it is described fully in this new book for the benefit of other would-be actors and comics. The "Harold" is a form of competitive improv involving six or seven players.
 Acting
Games : Improvisations and Exercises : A Textbook of Theatre Games and
Improvisations
Useful resources for anyone working with young or developing actors. A four-section book of acting games and improvisations to assist students in developing their creative abilities. Section one includes games for relaxing and focusing. Section two helps students discover new ways of seeing themselves, others and the world around them. The third section demonstrates with improvisations how to use space to build scenes and create characters from imagination. Section four features acting games to analyze and play characters from existing plays. All of the essential elements of acting and character development are explored. A working textbook for acting students of all ages. Improve
With Improv! : A Guide to Improvisation and Character Development
Improvisation
Improvising
Real Life: Personal Story in Playback Theatre
A teacher's handbook of over 140 theatre games designed to stimulate creativity in students of all ages. More than just games, the book is bursting with lively ideas to make a class or workshop a memorable experience. The games progress from Orientation ("Face to Face", "You and Me") and Trust ("Catch Me Falling", "Lead the Blind") to more advanced games that develop the senses, coordination, and spontaneity. A section on characters and stories builds improvisational acting skills.
Set the stage for learning and growth with these innovative, playful activities borrowed from a classic art form: improvisational theater. Developed for group leaders who have no improvisational theater experience, these easy, step-by-step proven techniques-originally designed to help actors solve problems on stage-build an optimal learning environment by fostering understanding, reducing resistance, creating cohesiveness, and promoting active participation in the learning process.
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