Review Title mention in Bookseller Buyers Guide."Cofounders of the London-based improvisational theater company The Spontaneity Shop, Salinsky and Frances-White provide a wonderful addition to the growing literature on theatrical improvisation. 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. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers, all levels." —S.W. Cole, CHOICE, January 2009“Cofounders of the London-based improvisational theater company The Spontaneity Shop, Salinsky and Frances-White provide a wonderful addition to the growing literature on theatrical improvisation. 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. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers, all levels.” –S.W. Cole, CHOICE, January 2009 Read more About the Author Tom Salinsky is the co-founder (with his wife Deborah Frances-White) of The Spontaneity Shop. 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. They have toured the world and performed at many comedy festivals by invitation. They teach at RADA, The Actors Centre, The National Youth Theatre, and many other colleges and institutions, as well as their own successful workshop program. Deborah Frances-White is the co-founder (with her husband Tom Salinsky) of The Spontaneity Shop. She and Tom have performed improvisation for The Royal Court, The RSC Summer Season, The Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Festival, and at the Bloomsbury Theatre. They have toured the world and performed at many comedy festivals by invitation. They teach at RADA, The Actors Centre, The National Youth Theatre, and many other colleges and institutions, as well as their own successful workshop program. Read more
K**M
Absolutely the only improv book you need
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.There are one or two parts that are not workable in my very conservative high school, but those are few and far between. This book, along with anything by Bruce Miller, will give you substantive ways to improve your acting classes.
L**N
Like having the sequel to Impro for Storytellers
I am a huge fan of Keith Johnstone's Impro for Storytellers. This book felt like a continuation and so much more. Having read over a dozen books on improv, I would say this is one of the best I have come across. Tom Salinsky has been there and done that and it shows in his spot-on comments. I've been performing in a troop for 2 years and I couldn't agree more with his list of games that "should never be played". I haven't finished the book yet (it's a hefty volume), but the advice and reflections I've read so far already make it worth far more than the purchase price.
M**K
I hate to disagree, but...
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 opposition to the whole "yes and..." vibe.So, if you get something out of this book, great! I just can't bring myself to read it all the way thru.
S**R
Excellent book for improv and for social skills training for those on the autistic spectrum
I bought this book to help improve my son's skills in his theatre classes. His favorite part of theatre is improv class, but he needs work on his give and take skills.As I read the book, I realized that this book spells out a lot of the skills needed to improve social skills for people on the AUTISM spectrum. The listening skills, give-and-take, and team playing required in improv would work well with teaching social skills to those who don't have these abilities -- and the beauty is that when one is successful, you get immediate positive feedback (laughter) which motivates you to try harder.I really think that improv classes could go a long way to teach older higher-functioning children on the autism spectrum how to be funny -- thereby helping them with social skills.Parents of children on the autism spectrum -- really consider purchasing this book, and possibly setting up improv classes, in order to help your teenage child understand humor. It could go a long way to helping them adapt to their high school experience, and help their peers see them favorably so that they can improve their friendships.
S**N
Five Stars
Very pleased with this purchase and this seller. A+++
A**R
Great Book
A nice big book with tons of help for your improv. It is a thick book of substance and I recommend it highly.
R**R
Great Handbook!
Full explanation of Improv 'games' with author's critique. Easy to use and fun ideas. A great resource for the beginning improv class.
B**B
Not helpful for coach or directing improv
I was hoping for less theory and more practical use for coaching long form iMptov. The games/exercises suggested were tacked onot the end like an after thought.
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