Improvisation, Inc.: Harnessing Spontaneity to Engage People and Groups

by Robert Lowe

Quick . . . Think fast!

Performers have been doing it for centuries. Now for the first time, Robert Lowe, a pioneer in the field of improvisation, hands you the techniques you need to think on your feet and apply these techniques in your workplace or classroom.

This book gives
* The same techniques that improvisational actors use to increase their confidence
* A method of using humor to establish a strong rapport with your audience, students, or participants
* An effective way of using body language and voice for greater clarity and impact
* Scores of field-tested worksheets, checklists, and group activities to help you incorporate improvisational thinking and speaking into your own presentation style

The business world may be changing at breakneck speed, but this ancient form of theatre is as appealing as ever. Buy this book and put improvisation to work for you today!

Genres: Audiobook, Self Help

270 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2000

Reviews

[Jay French · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this audiobook just awful. I was expecting something with some humor that provided some practical and interesting experiential advice. Instead, there are a lot of lists. At one point the narrator defines fear and gives about a half a dozen examples of fear, with some detail behind. There are dozens of recited lists in the first 2 hours of the audiobook. The book tried to be too academic but it just took too long to get to the good parts. I had to stop listening about 2/3 of the way in, and I think that last 1/3 of the book, with some examples of exercises, could have been the best. But I had enough. The narration was a bit too much like a lecture given directly from pre-written notes. There isn't a spot of improvisation in this performance. This is one of the few times when I think the audiobook is probably worse than the underlying book. This book is based on seminars given by the author. I think had they taken the approach of recording an actual seminar, this would have been quite a bit better.

[Sohoub سهوب طارق Baghdadiبغدادي · Rating 3 out of 5]

Number of steps to master the skill of improvisation, although the art of improvisation is necessary in everyday life.

[Rasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

الكتاب أكاديمي تقريبا وفيه تدريبات وهو من النوعية التي لا احبها لذلك وصلت لصفحة ٤٠ و لم اكمله.

[Leah Wescott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have known.

When Lowe feels the need to read each promotional blurb on the back cover of the book in addition to a list of all the people who ever helped him EVER by name...aaarrgh! It took me 20 minutes before the magical words "Chapter One" were uttered by the robotic narrator. 20 minutes! I clocked a mile on my pedometer before the actual content of the book even started.

The first 230 pages of the 260 are an exhaustive list of all the reasons improv is super-duper and all the audiences and settings for which improv is a natch. (Pssst. I was already convinced of improv's power, which is why I chose this book.) The descriptions of the very few group activities offered at the end were so confusing I don't think I could replicate them.

Improvisation, Inc. is a book about engagement that has no discernible engaging quality. Sadly, there isn't even irony. It's just boring.

I gave the book 2 stars because during one chapter, I picked up a notebook and started writing my own ideas for activities that would engage a group. These weren't ideas suggested by the book, but I'm going to give the Improv, Inc. the benefit of the doubt and credit it with inspiring my thoughts.

[Ralph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a casual read book. To get the most out of it, you need to do the things explained as you go through the book. I listened to this as an audio book, but I am going to get it in hard copy and work through it the way it should be done.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

I may have to check the hard copy out from the library to utilize some of Lowe's ice-breaking group dynamic game things, but by and large I had to wonder why I got snagged up in thinking this would be edifying.