The Comedy Improv Handbook

by Matt Fotis, Siobhan O'Hara

The Comedy Improv A Comprehensive Guide to University Improvisational Comedy in Theatre and Performance is a one-stop resource for both improv teachers and students, covering improv history, theory, maxims, exercises, games, and structures. You will learn the necessary skills and techniques needed to become a successful improviser, developing a basic understanding of the history of improvisation and its major influences, structures, and theories. This book also addresses issues associated with being a college improviser – like auditions, rehearsals, performances, and the dynamics of improv groups.

Genres: Comedy

228 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2015

Reviews

[Monty Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't one of the big Important Improv Books, but it's not trying to be. It gives a great list of exercises for classes and rehearsals, and games for short-form performances, and that's exactly what I was looking for.

[Jimmy O'Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for improv basics, exercises, games, and schools

[timandhisvoices · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great asset for new improvisers and those looking to up their skills and turn it into a professional career!

[Jalaj Jha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Improv is a style of spontaneous performance. Though the book has comedy in its title, is a serious :) book for reference on Improv. Yes "reference" because it's not something you read once and put back on shelf. It's something you would want to read very often. More than reading it is meant to act on. The exercises for team building, trust building etc are not just relevant to on-stage performance/improvs, but also relevant to other industries too. So was not surprised to find that a couple of them were a part of one of Managerial trainings, I attended. A good read and to come back to it again I also created a folder/label for "reference" where I would put a few other books I read too...