The Improviser's Way: A Longform Workbook

by Katy Schutte

An inspiring and interactive workbook to help you develop skills for longform improvisation, by one of the UK's top improv performers and teachers. Structured as a twelve-week course, this book provides techniques, advice and exercises that can be done on your own or in groups – with activities to complete as you go – for learning faster and becoming (more) amazing at improvisation. It draws on the author's own experience of performing and teaching improv around the world, with added gems of wisdom from key experts. Starting with the basics of improvisation, it moves on to explore areas of the craft such as rehearsals, character, editing, form and style; plus career advice including how to cope with bad gigs, jealousy, fear of missing out and your Inner Critic. The Improviser's Way is ideal for improvisers at any level – from those new to improv entirely, through those familiar with shortform who are looking to extend their reach, to experienced longform performers and teachers looking to refresh their approach and embrace new ideas. It is also invaluable to anyone looking to discover more about this popular, thrillingly creative and empowering form of performance. By the end, you won't just be a better improviser – you'll be a better person! 'Written with the calm and kind wisdom of someone who has been there and done that, here is a wealth of brilliant suggestions to help you improvise better and, perhaps more importantly, help you be better at the job of being an improviser' Lee Simpson (The Comedy Store Players, Whose Line Is It Anyway? ) 'Katy Schutte is a leading light of the UK improv scene and this book is as warm, witty, compassionate and funny as she is' Tom Salinksy (Spontaneity Shop)

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2018

Reviews

[Richardzimmermann86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should stress that i've read most of this, and not done half the exercises yet, but it's fab :) Not the sort of book you read in one go, so I'm marking it as 'read'.
Nice to have an improv book that is practical as a workbook that can be used solo or with a group, and also allows for some reflection and introspection. Katy's advice is sound and thought provoking.

[Ivan Tchernev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning improv from a book is a bit of an oxymoron. The whole point of the art form is that you make things up as you go along, so there's only so much that sitting around and reading can help you do it. With that in mind, Katy Schutte has managed to write a book that has had a genuine impact on my life as an improviser.

By structuring her book as a 12 week Katy both breaks down the material into small, workable chunks, and helps keep you focused on the most important thing; going out there and doing improv. The book itself is full of guidance, exercises and essays on a wide variety of topics that will teach you something new regardless of how experienced an improviser you are. It's already inspired a variety of practice sessions for my troupe.

Having said all that, what made this book for me is its voice. Katy's essays are hilarious, insightful, and relentlessly focused on encouraging you to be the improviser you want to be. There are no right or wrong answers beyond those you decide for yourself. That message is one I now wholeheartedly believe in.

So if you're an improviser, buy this. And if you're an improviser in London, see if you can track down Katy for a class. You won't be disappointed.