Improv for Actors [Paperback]

Dan Diggles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2004

In this step-by-step guide, an actor and improvisational teacher brings his tested methods to the page to show how actors can take risks and gain spontaneity in all genres of scripted theater. Through 28 lessons—each of which includes warm-ups, points of concentration, and improvisation exercises—Improv for Actors provides insights into thinking and reacting with fluidity, exploring a character’s social status, using the voice and body as effective tools of storytelling, and more. Actors of all levels will soon be able to give a fresh, original approach to classic characters, create funnier performances in farce and comedy, and make dramatic characters richer and more believable.




• Approaches improvisation as a tool for developing acting technique

• Lessons are applicable to contemporary and classic material and to both comedy and drama

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Improv for Actors is a highly valuable resource for actors, directors, students, and faculty who are seeking fresh strategies for discovering and exploring characters, situations, and theatrical play.”

(Mary Fleischer, Chair, Fine & Performing Arts Division, Marymount Manhattan College )

About the Author

Dan Diggles teaches improvisation at Marymount Manhattan College and has taught master classes in improvisation at Columbia University. A cofounder of the FreeStyle Repertory Theatre, he lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581153252
• ISBN-13: 978-1581153255
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When the Student is Ready. . ., June 1, 2004

By 

Ted Delorme (Fort Mill, SC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Improv for Actors (Paperback)

. . . The Teacher Will Appear. So, when I was teaching improv classes for the second time and preparing to assemble and train a new performing group, this book was one of five improv books I picked up for inspiration.
I was amazed at Dan Diggles' gift for taking all the lessons I'd already learned but didn't believe and turning them into memorable and logical life lessons for performing! This book is a wonderful resource for any actor or improviser. Almost every page made me smile or gasp at the simplicity of things I'd been making too complicated.
Thanks, Dan, for making me a better actor, improviser and person.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic building blocks!, June 22, 2004

By 

TobyMartini "wyrd1" (Tampa, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Improv for Actors (Paperback)

This new book by Dan Diggles is a fantabulous thing.

It's generally directed at an Improv teacher (probably teaching at a school). So, unless you are in that (rare-ish) position, you can gloss over some bits about not talking about your friends in class and the grading thing.

But otherwise, this is a Great book about the 3 big rules:
- Say, "Yes, and..."
- Say the first thing that comes to mind.
- Make your partner look good.

Sure, we hear that a lot, but he really makes it stick to your ribs.

It's not chock full of games, just a few that he focuses on as great building blocks. (You can find a million games online and in other books.)

This book is definitely great for improvisers, actors, and anyone else that needs to get up on a stage. The 3 rules are great for performances and perhaps for living as well.

I really think that everyone could get something useful out of this one.

5.0 out of 5 stars What I've been looking for!, March 23, 2004

By 

Dan Cavanagh (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Improv for Actors (Paperback)

Great book! Not only does Dan have a passionate commitment to the requirements AND joy of group participation, he's wonderfully articulate. I've been looking for a book on improvisation for my theatre students that isn't either a confusing list of games...or that offers so many teaching options, none of which I can choose from because I don't know the skills. Dan, on the other hand, takes you step by step through the process. I can't wait to introduce it. More later.