or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering
Sell Us Your Item
For a $3.17 Gift Card
Trade in
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

Improvisation for the Theater 3E: A Handbook of Teaching and Directing Techniques (Drama and Performance Studies) [Paperback]

Viola Spolin
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)

List Price: $22.95
Price: $17.48 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $5.47 (24%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it Wednesday, May 29? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Hardcover --  
Paperback $17.48  
Unknown Binding --  
Image
Save on Popular Books This Summer
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more.

Book Description

July 28, 1999 Drama and Performance Studies
Here is the thoroughly revised third edition of the bible of improvisational theater.

Viola Spolin's improvisational techniques changed the very nature and practice of modern theater. The first two editions of Improvisation for the Theater sold more than 100,000 copies and inspired actors, directors, teachers, and writers in theater, television, film. These techniques have also influenced the fields of education, mental health, social work, and psychology.

<a href="title.cfm?ISBN=0-8101-4007-1">Also available: Spolin's <i>Theater Game File</i></a>

Frequently Bought Together

Improvisation for the Theater 3E: A Handbook of Teaching and Directing Techniques (Drama and Performance Studies) + Theater Games for the Classroom: A Teacher's Handbook
Price for both: $36.47

Buy the selected items together


Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This new edition of a highly acclaimed handbook, last published in 1983 and widely used by theater teachers and directors, is sure to be welcomed by members of the theater profession. Spolin, who died in 1994, developed her improvisational techniques of using "game" exercises while teaching with the WPA Recreational Project in Chicago. Editor Sills, her son and founder of the Second City Theater, here updates over 200 classic exercises and adds 30 new ones. The creative group work and games, which can be used with all levels and ages of performers, and workshop techniques that enhance performers' natural abilities and intuition are all clearly explained. Also included are useful definitions of theater terms and a glossary of side-coaching phrases. Libraries with older editions will want this excellent update. Highly recommended for all theater arts collections.AHoward E. Miller, Rosary H.S. Lib., St. Louis
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Viola Spolin, the originator of theater games, was introduced to the use of games, storytelling, folk dance, and dramatics as tools for stimulating creative expression in the 1920s while a student of Neva Boyd at Chicago's Hull House. During her years as a teacher and supervisor of creative dramatics there, she began to develop her nonverbal, nonpsychological approach. Her books have been translated into Swedish, German, and Portuguese. She died in 1994.

Paul Sills is Viola Spolin's son and the founding director of Chicago's Second City and of Story Theater. He is the coeditor of the third edition of Improvisation for the Theater.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 412 pages
  • Publisher: Northwestern University Press; 3 edition (July 28, 1999)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 081014008X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0810140080
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,705 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
(21)
4.5 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
66 of 66 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Modern Theatrical Benchmark April 7, 2002
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is important to realize, before purchasing "Improvisation for the Theater," that it will not teach you the silly games and clownish humor you see on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" Funny though many people find that show, it bears only a shirt-tail relationship to improvisation as Viola Spolin conceived of the concept.

First of all, she probably would have been horrified to discover that many people now regard improvisation and comedy synonymous. In her system, improvisation could have been comedic, tragic, surrealistic, or anything in between. The label hung on the performance was secondary to its quality, consistency, and depth.

In this, Spolin's classic textbook (newly updated and expanded by her son and daughter-in-law, her intellectual executors and heirs), she lays down the ins and outs of improvisation for performance. Activities listed in this book are designed to conduct a full workshop for improvisational actors. There are games listed for absolute beginners, orienting them to the demands of the stage, so there is no false expectation of prior experience. The games, moreover, are almost all adaptable to all ages, so a children's workshop won't feel you're going over their heads, and an adult workshop won't feel they're being condescended to.

The chapters are arranged in the sequence Spolin felt would be most efficient in creating a fully-dimensional improv show that would capture audience attention and be satisfying for all involved. Not everyone will agree that this is the best sequence, and with a little time and consideration, the games can be reordered to suit an individual director's tastes. However, this should be undertaken with care -- many people have used this workshop pattern very effectively for over forty years with great success and enjoyment.

The games, moreover, can be used individually, both in classrooms and in a theatrical directing environment. Many of the games teach important skills regarding vocal technique, character-motivated action, attention to environmental detail, and poise. Even when working with experienced actors, I have found many of these games useful in developing wholly realized characters and environments, and the group nature of the work is key in creating unity among cast members and ensuring everybody is playing off the same rules.

I have worked with scarcely an acting coach or director who has not, at some point, used some activity from this book to achieve some goal. By having actors participate in these activities, the whole production is moved toward a unified and consistent goal, usually one that cannot be achieved by mere talking and finger-pointing. Complex variations of these games are used by improvisational troupes throughout the world, and Spolin's teachings have really been the benchmark for theatrical education and directing for nearly half a century now.

No actor who wants to grow in skill, no acting teacher who wants to guide students toward higher ability, no director who wants to achieve results quickly and well, should ever be without this book. It is the measure of greatness in modern theatre.
Was this review helpful to you?
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars teachers and actors, this is for you! June 10, 2000
Format:Paperback
For serious students and teachers this is the basic bible of improvisation. It gives a strong, basic philosophy of improv for both teachers and actors. It contains methods, games and a variety of techniques to develop oneself both as a teacher & and actor. Step-by-step approaches are offered as well as overviews for ones own creativity. The book is well-organized, too so that the teacher/actor can easily access a favorite warm-up,beginning game or advanced exercise. Not a book for skimming! One must study this book, that is if you truly love the theatre!
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Obviously, it would be optimal if one could work in a workshop that put this book up on its feet. That way the teacher/director could experience many of these games and technique building excersises first hand, thereby making them even more vibrant and clear.

That said, this third edition is extremely practical, detailed and very clearly written as it lays out hundreds of excersises which build not only acting technique, but group integrity as well. Spolin was a gifted teacher and director and her nearly seventy years of experience in the theatre pays great dividends to all who dare to follow in her footsteps,

Even more helpful than the vast multitude of improvisational activities is her advice to the director of the scripted play. Like William Ball's A Sense of Direction (also a must have!) she stresses the importance of building the positive environment and details specific strategies on how to make it happen.

This is a phenomenal resource for all teachers, students, actors and directors.

Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars perfecto
great stuff in this..

c a m e o n t i m e a n d i n p e r f e c t c o n d i t i o n t h a n k s !
Published 4 months ago by Evan Edward OBrien
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Theatre games and improvisation book
If you are doing any play directing no matter what level you will find this book indispensable. Spolin's work is a must have for any director of theatre. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Roger Rossi
4.0 out of 5 stars This is the foundation guide for Improv
I had to rreplace a copy that I'd had for many many years but lost to a house fire, so I was glad to find it again. I consider Viola's work a guide for life as well as acting...
Published 6 months ago by Rebecca P
5.0 out of 5 stars BOOK PRACTICALY NEW
I am very happy with my purchase, this book is just like new.
Great price used it with my kids for a competion we came second
and got peoples choice... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Carliena
5.0 out of 5 stars Philosophy
Viola Spolin is known through the theater education and improvisational world for her games and exorcizes that teach theater fundamentals to children and adult alike through... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Robert0price
4.0 out of 5 stars teaching acting
Great book for more advanced drama students. I bought this book to use with my middle school drama classes. Read more
Published on December 8, 2010 by Alicia Marie Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a classic!
I bought this book to give to a friend who is just starting improv training. For my money, this is the "bible" for anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of improvisational... Read more
Published on March 9, 2010 by John Vance
5.0 out of 5 stars Just One Book on Improv? This is probably it.
Great book. This really is foundation level work on the art of improvisational theater of all types. It's one of the three top books ever published on improv.
Published on March 6, 2010 by Atefold Path
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible resource for theatre and general teachers
I am pursuing a career (my 3rd) in early childhood education. While this "text" is a classic for theater professionals and students, it is largely unknown to education majors. Read more
Published on December 31, 2009 by Diane
4.0 out of 5 stars Loads of information and exercises
You can't beat this book as a place to really learn about improv. Viola Spolin is a goddess, a giant in the improv world. The material is a bit dry, but there is much to ponder. Read more
Published on December 20, 2008 by Robert Britt
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Forums

There are no discussions about this product yet.
Be the first to discuss this product with the community.
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 



So You'd Like to...



Look for Similar Items by Category