Improv!: A Handbook for the Actor

by Greg Atkins, Lisa Barnett (Editor)

You're an actor. You know you're going to have to do it sometime, but the very thought chills your blood, makes your palms go sweaty, and your voice squeak. It's improvisation - and for many actors it's a nightmare. Greg Atkins, a member of South Coast Repertory and unabashed improviser, takes the fear out of improv. This friendly, informative book looks at the reasons many actors hate improvisation, while quietly reinforcing the reasons improv is a vital part of acting and of theatre. He offers sensible (and fun!) exercises that can be used by teachers or by actors, to build up the mental agility that is so much a part of improvisation, and that should be part of every actor's arsenal.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for writers also. Need a prompt, pick an exercise.

[Corina Anghel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has lots of exercises, but most of them are the classics.
The most useful chapter is the last one where the exercises are categorized according to the "difficulties an actor has" that they help to solve.

[Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

ditched the book, took the class from the author. the class was 5*, but the book by itself would be tough going.