Improv!: A Handbook for the Actor (Paperback)

by Greg Atkins (Author) "Improvisation..." (more)
Key Phrases: more actors, blindfolded actor, spotlighted area, Group Exercise, Two Scenes, Advanced Exercises (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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.

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 Nobodys 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: 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.4 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.com Sales Rank: #664,018 in Books (See Bestsellers 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

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

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

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!