Improv!: A Handbook for the Actor [Paperback]

Greg Atkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1993

You're an actor. You know you're going to have to do it sometime, but the very thought chills your blood, makes your palms go sweaty, and your voice squeak. It's improvisation - and for many actors it's a nightmare. Greg Atkins, a member of South Coast Repertory and unabashed improviser, takes the fear out of improv. This friendly, informative book looks at the reasons many actors hate improvisation, while quietly reinforcing the reasons improv is a vital part of acting and of theatre. He offers sensible (and fun!) exercises that can be used by teachers or by actors, to build up the mental agility that is so much a part of improvisation, and that should be part of every actor's arsenal.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Greg Atkins has taught improvisation at the Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory Theatre and the Los Angeles Music Center. He has created, directed, and performed with the improvisational comedy team Nobody's Fools and has been associated with numerous other improv groups. In addition, Greg has acted in numerous stage and television shows, directed more than thirty plays, and is a published playwright currently writing live stage shows for the Walt Disney company.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann Drama (January 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0435086278
• ISBN-13: 978-0435086275
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #514,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book for actors, performers and teachers, August 15, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Improv!: A Handbook for the Actor (Paperback)

Excellent book to help actors think faster and make better choices. Lots of good exercises that I use in my classroom. Helpful in getting my actors to free up and trust themselves and others. Many of my students have improved their performing skills, created their own improv groups, or have been cast in sit coms and films. I highly recommend this book

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for any improv director or teacher, February 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Improv!: A Handbook for the Actor (Paperback)

A wonderfully organized book that I can always look to when I've got 10 minutes before rehearsal and haven't even planned a warm-up! (I direct an improv troupe in NYC) While not exhaustively complete it's great for someone who's done some improv and doesn't need to learn that denial in scenes is a no-no.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and useful (what's better than that?), March 19, 2000

By 

Cary Steiner (New Hyde Park, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Improv!: A Handbook for the Actor (Paperback)

Greg was my acting teacher in the mid-80's and the games in this book formed the core of the improv classes I've been teaching since the mid-90s. I refer to this book all the time!

Buy it!