The Improv

by M.J. McDermott

A novel based on a true story. For mature young adults. It is 1982 at a New England university, and drama major Margo Laughton is thrilled and terrified to be cast as “Sheila” in the rock musical Hair. The show’s director, Professor Harrison P. Adler, is known for his daring productions. Rumors have circulated for decades about how Harry gets actors to break through their inhibitions. He prefers working with boys, encouraging them to become violent and explore their sexuality in carefully guided improvisations or “improvs.” In 1969, an actor in one of Harry’s plays committed suicide. Is Harry a brilliant ground-breaking acting coach, or is he a manipulative voyeur who has found an academically and artistically sanctioned way to indulge his perversions? Margo and her leading man enjoy a playful rehearsal relationship that is shattered after a highly secretive, males-only improv. Margo is determined to find out what happened in the improv and the 1969 suicide, risking her romance and her hoped-for acting career in order to make sure that Harry never directs another play at the college.

242 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2012

Reviews

[Ann Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

M.J. is an old friend of mine, and you know how it is when you read your friends' books...

I hope it's always like this. M.J. spins a tale with humor, suspense, and powerful comment. It's about some kids in the drama department of a university, and she has caught their spirit exactly -- I teach writing, and see my students in her characters. They are so enthusiastic, exhausted, and scared/fatalistic about their futures that they are a unique set of prey for the wrong person. A lot of reviews have focused on the abuse in the story, but I focus on how it celebrates the theatre and the people who make theatre happen.

This is the first book I have read in a long time that I could not put down.

Her future novels might be more skillful and confident, but maybe they will lose the innocent wonder of her first. If she wants, she'll move on to being a consistent five-star writer. This is a chance to follow a writer with limitless possibilities.

[Cecilia O'brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author initially brings you into the world of undergrad theater and all its "drama". While these young people naturally
feed off the insensity and emotion of their new stage production, you soon realize that something is very wrong, and it becomes a psychological mystery. Although classified as fiction this story is based on actual evants, which significantly increased my interest. In the end MJ McDermott discloses what happened--but she also invites you to continue pondering how and why it happened.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A provocative tale about a tenured drama professor who abuses his power and manipulates students. Knowing the tale was rooted in a real life experience enabled me to hear both the voice of the young drama student and the adult authoring the book.

[J.D. Rader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although listed as fiction, the story behind the story is true. What happened to M.J and the male drama students under the leadership of a twisted musical director shows how power and influence can allow the continuation of perverted behavior. M.J.'s courage after she learns of what's happening is an inspiration to us all.

[Katt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story made you think. Great writing. Characters were well written you loved,liked,and hated them all.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey - local author! I enjoyed reading this. Interesting story, I hope she writes more.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brave story. I commend MJ McDermott for having the courage to write about a difficult subject.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book, especially for a first time non-writer.

[Claire Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really great writing by M.J. McDermott. I say that because it kept me engrossed and disturbed and I couldn't stop thinking about it for days after I read it.

[Frank Lawler · Rating 4 out of 5]

M.J. McDermott's book takes on new relevance with the scandal surrounding the June, 2016 closing of Profiles Theatre in Chicago. After 28 years of abuse masquerading as "whatever it takes" artistic technique designed to bring realism to the company's productions, almost three decades of disturbing yet previously pooh-poohed concerns and anecdotes raised by many who worked there got some serious attention when Actors' Equity - an organization which wasn't beholden to Profiles Theatre for future employment and thus not intimidated by it - filed a formal complaint against them. What's sad is that this unprofessional and exploitative behavior was stopped only after Profiles started working with union actors.

The vast majority of theatres in the United States are not union houses and therefore suffer from the same lack of independent oversight and/or recourse as the acting students in The Improv. Constantly auditioning and being judged, many actors suffer from insecurity and a desire to be accepted. Similarly, so do many college students, often away from home for the first time and struggling with defining themselves outside their family and childhood experiences. As McDermott vividly portrays in her book, college acting students are thus doubly vulnerable to exploitation by those in positions of authority.

Though The Improv is a cautionary story about the cult-like atmosphere in some close-knit artistic communities, it is also a tale of the courage of speaking out against exploitation, even if such a stand risks compromising your own career.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

We are so innocent when we are young and emerging into our adult selves, and this book personifies what can happen when a perverted, sadistical ass inserts himself into that growth process. It tells the slightly-fictionalized story of a college theatre major cast as Sheila (female lead) in Hair in the early 80's, and what happened to the "Tribe" at the hands of their director. It's also about finding one's true self, and gaining confidence in standing up for what's right. A fellow parent at Ingraham High School wrote this book based on events in her own life, and it would be a great one for book groups, for the parents of any budding performers, and for budding performers themselves, as long as they're old enough to handle some frank sexual reality. (E.g., high schoolers not middle schoolers)

[Kathryn Thurber-smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

MJ has written a moving real-life account of life in the theater world in college in the 80's. I found the novel to be a compelling read namely for the strength of the main character in confronting what she knew was just plain wrong. It's increasingly easier to find strong female role models in books - - much easier than when I (and this writer) were growing up. However, at the time this story takes place, the fortitude needed to confront those in power was perhaps greater than it would be today. Recommend this to any parent of teens, and even teens, to realize that if not you, than who, with regard to addressing abuses of power. It's a quick read, dare I say a fun read, in that the author effectively immerses you in her story. I also appreciated the afterward which assured some measure of healing to all parties.

[Laurel Perkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great first novel in a genre I am not used to. You could feel the emotion in the writing. You go through a wide range throughout. Great character study. I enjoyed it and wanted to climb into the book and give the main character a hug.