Curriculum, Training Methods, And History Of A Competitive Improvisational Comedy Company (Studies in Theatre Arts) [Hardcover]

Kevin Bradshaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0773463178 | ISBN-13: 978-0773463172

ComedySportz, the Milwaukee-based competitive improvisational company, was the examination model used in this study which examines the history of the company, analyzes their beginner workshop curriculum and details their training methods. Two research questions were applied: What is the history of ComedySportz? What are the teaching methods used by ComedySportz in their beginner-level workshops? Research was based on personal interviews, company archives, questionnaires, and observations. Dick Chudnow, the company's founder, was interviewed in order to provide a foundation for the study. Research subjects for the field investigation were selected from the instructional and artistic staff of ComedySportz and were termed "experts". The project was descriptive in nature, relying on personal interviews, electronic mail, telephone conversations and personal observations of the ComedySportz show and workshops. The resulting investigation has revealed a rich and varied history of a company dedicated to competitive performance improvisation. The analysis of the beginner level workshop training methods of the Milwaukee, New York and San Jose ComedySportz clubs indicates a highlevel of teaching expertise, a wide variety of training methods and the formation of a solid background in improvisation skills. The study provides historical documentation for a leading company and offers a model for researchers interested in pursuing similar ventures.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"While the results of this study would assist students of improvisation performance and potential company founders, Bradshaw also offers a close, systematic examination of the educational components that would transfer effectively to a wide range of training contexts. This beautifully realized piece of work could provide a basis to others directly related it, such as an examination of all the member companies in the Comedy League or to other ComedySportz training models, such as intermediate and advanced workshops. More importantly, it provides invaluable access to research models for the much wider field of improvisation as a whole." - (From the Commendatory Preface) Professor Robert Barton, University of Oregon "Kevin Bradshaw's impressive study... offers a clear, systematic examination of ComedySportz that will prove an invaluable resource for others in the field. Because this particular theatre company is not limited geographically to its Milwaukee origins but has expanded to more than twenty branch companies around the United States, constituting the Comedy League of America, and hundreds of high school programs, its influence is far reaching. The value in tracing specific origins and structure at a time when such a study is still manageable can provide a strong base for any future investigations into ComedySportz itself and serve as a model for other studies of other companies. Bradshaw brings to this comprehensive study not just the skills of a researcher, but experience as a veteran participant as well. While some research might suffer from an involved investigator, in this case such exposure is essential since the researcher must speak the language of participants and must understand enough about the organization's infrastructure to know how to shape the overall inquiry and design specific questions. Some of the interview subjects are not readily articulate or analytical, so Bradshaw skillfully and respectfully guides their participation, with both humility and authority" - (From the Commendatory Preface) Professor Robert Barton, University of Oregon"

About the Author

Dr. Kevin Bradshaw completed his B.A. in Radio Television Broadcasting and M.A. in Theatre Arts at San Jose State University, San Jose. He completed his PhD at the University of Oregon, Eugene in 1997. He has been associated with ComedySportz since 1989 and is a founding member of the Spokane, Washington ComedySportz team. He is currently serving as Vice-Chair for playwriting (Region VII) for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Theatre in the Communication Arts Department at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 167 pages
• Publisher: Edwin Mellen Pr (October 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0773463178
• ISBN-13: 978-0773463172
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,383,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Genius I tell you!, January 1, 2005

By 

H. PetersonDTAS-DCQH-YWGXL "HJP" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Curriculum, Training Methods, And History Of A Competitive Improvisational Comedy Company (Studies in Theatre Arts) (Hardcover)

Bradshaw gives a stunning perspective on Improvisational comedy.

A must read for any aspiring improv teacher or student.

Bradshaw, clearly, lives among the ranks of Improv diety.