101 Improv Games for Children and Adults [Paperback]

Bob Bedore (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: SmartFun Activity Books

101 Improv Games for Children and Adults starts with the basics of improvisational comedy, giving aspiring performers the building blocks required to think on their feet. A great resource for educators as well as for the professional actor or layperson, the book includes rules for 101 games that cover everything from easy warm-ups to over-the-top crowd pleasers, such as Fairy Tales, Bizarre Games, On Your Toes, and Narrative Games.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Hunter House (February 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897934245
• ISBN-13: 978-0897934244
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Activities

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Place To Start, July 27, 2006

By 

Bob Bedore (West Jordan, Utah United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 101 Improv Games for Children and Adults (Paperback)

To start off, I am the author of the book so take the "star review" for what it is. I just wanted to give you a little more depth to what this book is about in case you are looking at purchasing it. First I will tell you that I've had over 12 years experience of not only performing improv and owning a troupe, but I've been very lucky to teach improv to people of all ages and walks of life. I will be up front with my statement that no ONE person can teach you everything about improv. I learned from many people and took what I liked to form my style and beliefs. It is that style that is in my book and I encourage you to look at several books if you are really serious about it.

My book starts off as an introduction for teachers looking at adding improv to their lessons. This is mostly aimed at school aged children, but I use the same practices for Adults. The publishing company wanted to add this to their "101 _____ for Children" series so I fitted everything for that. I got them to add the "Adults" part so potential readers who were older wouldn't turn away. I've outlined a lot of stuff on how someone who knows very little about improv can teach it (at least teach it my style) and have tried to include everything I would do in front of a class. This same information can be used by the reader to learn the basics.

I ended the book with tips for Advanced people. Again, these are theories of mine gained over watching and performing with people 2 to 5 shows a week every week for over a decade. These tips not only include how to stretch yourself, but also some hints on what to look for when forming your own troupe.

In the middle is the 101 games promised in the title. This being the first book I wanted to have a strong list of "beginners" games and warm up exercises, but there are still plenty of games for all levels of players to be found. The games listed are all what would be called "Short Form" games, the type you would find watching Who's Line Is It Anyway?. There was a second book planned that would include more of the tougher games and a section on Long Form, but I'm not sure if that book will ever be published.

If you are a very seasoned improv actor this book will only have a few games that you might not have tried yet, and I don't know how much you'll get out of the "beginners" section. But I for one feel that you never stop learning about improv and there is some very good stuff throughout the book. And if you are in the early stages of improv learing, there is no doubt that you'll find a lot of stuff to take with you on stage.

If you are a teacher looking at having fun in the classroom, this book is... well, it's hard to say "perfect" because I'm biased. But it works very well in the classroom. And not just for theatre teachers. I've had several teachers who tell me that they use it for helping with creative writing and other types of learning that require more imagination. Another teacher told me that they use improv early in the year to get everyone used to being in front of the class and not being embarrassed about themsleves or speaking in the class.

I have a huge love for improv and that is what I tried to put into the book. I can't call it the ultimate Bible on improv because there is no such thing. Improv is like art, everyone knows what they like. This is not only what I like, it's what I love.

I applaud your interest in improv. Learning how to adapt to changing situations is not just a great thing for the stage, it's helpful in all forms of life. I hope that this has been helpful to you in some way and if not I'm sure you can alwayas track me down -- darn internet.

Take Care, Bob

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Improv is Fun, August 23, 2007

By 

Laurie Davis "Laurie Ann Davis" (New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 101 Improv Games for Children and Adults (Paperback)

I am acting teacher who owns her own studio called Star Map Acting Studio in New York and there are a variety of classes and workshops children and adults can take so you have to keep things interesting. I found the Improv game book very helpful and full of fun ideas. It kept my classes this summer fresh and new. I can't wait to use it this Fall for my new classes I am sure my students will have fun with all of them.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A+ book for acting students, August 22, 2006

By 

R. Baker-Schmidt "Ms. Rita" (Maryland) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 101 Improv Games for Children and Adults (Paperback)

As an acting teacher I was thrilled with this book. It has lots of terrific improv games and ideas. I'm inspired and I know my kids will be too.