Training to Imagine: Practical Improvisational Theatre Techniques for Trainers and Managers to Enhance Creativity, Teamwork, Leadership, and Learning

by Kat Koppett, Joel Goodman (Foreword)

Creating innovative products and game-changing processes, and adapting to new cultures and communication styles, have all become imperative for business survival. Today’s business leaders, from Fortune 500 companies on down, have discovered the value of improvisational theatre techniques to develop creativity and collaboration skills they need.Since publication of its seminal first edition, the principles and techniques pioneered in Training to Imagine have been widely adopted by organizations around the world, and have given rise to the field of Applied Improvisation. This new edition builds on the characteristics that made it the most comprehensive and most easy-to-apply resource for using improv in organizations. As before, this book translates the theories and exercises of improv into language that is familiar to business culture, and provides guidelines, case studies and exercises intended for use by individuals for self-development, for small groups, and for facilitation by corporate trainers.This revised edition places more emphasis on the development of leadership, in particular adding activities designed for individuals to develop skills on their own, or outside formal training environments. It builds upon what has been learned since 2001, presenting examples of practice, and research on the methods, that have proven to be most effective in the workplace. Kat Koppett has added a whole new section on instructional design to help users make informed choices in selecting activities to best support their objectives and corporate context, as well as numerous new exercises.This is a vital resource for trainers, executives, and leaders at all levels who want to increase their personal communication and creativity skills, and in inspire and motivate their teams. The enhanced e-book edition will incorporate video of sample activities and exercises, as well as interviews with leading Applied Improv practitioners. This material will also be available free on the Stylus Web site.

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Psychology, Management

310 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2011

Reviews

[Leda Samita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is immensely useful not only for the theater but for performance arts, in general. The balance between theory and practice assists the reader in acquiring significant information concerning the dynamics of improvisational theater but also public speaking and, most importantly, public engagement. I would definitely recommend this book for thespians as well as non-professional actors. Teachers and public speakers would also find the advice delineated in this book worthy of note.

[Leah Wescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat Koppett is one smart improv lady. I thought I was buying a book of activities but she lays out theory and context through the first half, including in-depth descriptions of how to apply some of the exercises. The collection of activities all feel purposeful and I've already tried some with great success. The descriptions make sense and her tips for coaching participants through the games and the suggested alterations of the game provide even more variety.

[Sergio Ledward · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Espectacular! Training to imagine se acaba de convertir en uno de mis libros de cabecera. Si te dedicas a la capacitación, el coaching o el liderazgo de equipos no te puedes perder esta lectura.
Divertido, ligero, útil, profundo. Muchas gracias Kat Koppet.

[Ryan Barretto]

Superb book which provides amazing techniques to using improv in training.