Improvisation Starters: A Collection of 900 Improvisation Situations for the Theater

Philip Bernardi

ISBN 10: 1558702334 / ISBN 13: 9781558702332

Published by Penguin Publishing Group, 1992

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 00108193131

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Improvisation Starters: A Collection of 900 Improvisation Situations for the Theater
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1558702334
• ISBN 13: 9781558702332
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Fair

About this title

Synopsis

Most beginning actors assume that rehearsing a play or scene involves taking home the script, memorizing lines, and rehearsing scenes over and over until everything—timing, movement, facial expression—is perfect. But that's only partially correct. One missing element in that approach is improvisation, an invaluable technique that can be used in acting classes and in rehearsals for school, amateur and professional productions.

Most teachers and directors realize that value of improvisation as a regular part of their classes or rehearsals, but many find it difficult to come up with fresh ideas on a daily basis. The nine hundred improvisation ideas in this book should provide enough material to last for years.

What the book includes can be applied to many theater situations. For example, there are many improvisation starters for character conflicts—teen/parent, peer relationships, love relationships, co-workers, doctor/patient, brother/sister, and more; solo improvisations; physical positions (for one or two players); lines of dialogue; and reactions to environment. The author also has included a section suggesting a variety of improvisations for the production of Romeo and Juliet.

Reviews

The author, himself an acting teacher and play director, believes that the key to great acting lies in the successful mastery of the art of improvisation, which brings the intensity and spontaneity that marks a truly memorable performance. He encourages actors to work without scripts during some rehearsals and offers 900 improvisational situations designed to stimulate development of character conflicts and the use of obstacles, the environment, and simple props. This title complements but does not duplicate the material covered in Andy Goldberg's Improv Comedy ( LJ 3/15/92). It should serve as an excellent teaching tool in drama classes. Recommended.
- Howard E. Miller, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Missouri Lib., St. Louis
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.