Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre 1st Edition

by Keith Johnstone (Author)

84 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0878301171

ISBN-10: 0878301178

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Editorial Reviews

Review

""Impro ought to be required reading not only for theatre people generally but also for teachers, educators, and students of all kinds and persuassions. Readers of this book are not going to agree with everything in it; but if they are not challenged by it, if they do not ultimately succumb to its wisdom and whimsicality, they are in a very sad state indeed . . . .Johnstone seeks to liberate the imagination, to cultivate in the adult the creative power of the child . . . .Deserves to be widely read and tested in the classroom and rehearsal hall . . .Full of excellent good sense, actual observations and inspired assetions."
-"CHOICE: Books for College Libraries

Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (January 7, 1987)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0878301178
ISBN-13: 978-0878301171
Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 84 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Performing Arts > Theater
- #23 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Theater > Acting & Auditioning
- #2688 in Books > Humor & Entertainment

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Carl Johan Rehbinder

The most important book I ever read.

January 4, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is the most important book I ever read. And I have literally (pun intended) read thousands of books. My mother was a librarian, what can I say? This is not just a book about theatre improvisation - it's a book about how to be a teacher, an actor, a shaman, an artist. It's about life.

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EAM

Had no expectations and turned out to be superb

February 6, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I have no acting experience but found this book simply amazing. So much lessons for own life and insights into the acting world

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Matt House

rare glimpse into another world narrated by the master of that universe

January 3, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book is consistently expensive and hard to find. A very rare glimpse into the world of acting written by an actor who is also a competent writer.

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Robert McDowell

A Great Theater and Life Guide

November 20, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

These improvisations and lessons transcend theater. This compelling book reminds me again and again that all art and life are feasts of the imagination. We must always push the envelope and bravely break through fear and other obstacles that hold us back. I have borrowed exercises from this book and successfully offered them in writing and spirituality workshops. I perceive that many will also be effective in teen/parenting workshops. The book is a fountain of wisdom and a challenging guide to break free and go deeper.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

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David Phillips

Magical - a laugh and cry experience

July 20, 2012

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Remember the last time you started a book, and in just a few pages, maybe even the first page, you knew that that book was going to be a magical experience? Twenty pages in to IMPRO and I've already laughed out loud (many times) and cried.

I didn't want to put it down but felt compelled to take a moment right now to share with others. I have teacher friends and relatives who will value this book; friends with children who will treasure it; and friends and strangers in general seeking a bright, colorful, fascinating, puzzling, moving world, who may come to experience it.

The vignettes, each and all that I've read, speak deeply to me with meaning and delight, and I wanted to share something from the book to give a sense of that, but the challenge of picking just the right sentence or paragraph left me flummoxed. I want to include more and more and more, until, well you should have the whole book, anyway.

Thankfully, Amazon offers a "Click to Look Inside". Now I've been fooled by rave reviews and 4+ stars before, and perhaps this book won't speak to some people (I'm so sorry), but even the first paragraph I read from the sample sold me.

Seriously, if you're a teacher of any kind, or a student of any kind, or someone interested in either of those two categories, this is an important book to have so you can read and reread it.

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Guilherme D. Faria

5 stars for the content - Lost a star because of the poor Kindle Edition

February 19, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

First, the bad: for almost $30, I would expect a perfect Kindle edition. Not the case: a lot of weird spelling mistakes (probably made by the automatic conversion to the digital format). There's no excuse for a kindle ebook to cost that, much less a flawed version. Buy the physical version or borrow from someone / library.

Now, the content... It's a manifesto about education; it's a valuable lesson about human interaction and their status transactions; it's a book about how the 'stiff' conscious mind can harm our unconscious and our 'other selves'. Oh, and it's also a book about theather and improvisation.

I'm not involved in theather at all, I bought it because I like to study social dynamics and was not disappointed. You can 'look inside' the book here on Amazon - I skipped the 'guest' introduction and went straight to the author's words. If you like it, I recommend you read the whole book.

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Rud

Amazing

December 12, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

So good if you have any interest in improv and life. You must read this wonderful book, ladies and gents.

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M. Masson

awesome book for actors, artists and everyone, really

May 6, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

The book is split into two man parts: statuses in acting and life, and trances/Mask work.

Both parts are very illuminating, if you are a human being, you should read this book, but especially useful for artists of all persuasions and people who want more understanding of their life.

Great read!

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Most recent customer reviews

Plodding paragraphs and stuffy 60's syntax making for an uninteresting and annoying read

Plodding paragraphs and stuffy 60's syntax making for an uninteresting and annoying read. There are excellent books on improv available and while Keith Johnstone is a good...Read more

Published 2 months ago

Mark B.

Excellent

Johnstone speaks from a wealth of previous experience overflowing with little tidbits of wisdom and ideas that can propel forward anyone working in the theatre arts, and...Read more

Published 6 months ago

Jaime

The Status and Spontaneity sections are amazing!

Yowza, this book reads very much like a textbook. Be prepared for lots of intense concentration. It took me quite awhile to finish reading, which probably stems from my lifetime...Read more

Published 10 months ago

Francisco Ochoa Madrigal

Insightful, revelatory.

This is a must for anyone who is interested in acting or improv beyond silly games. Not that there's anything wrong with silly games.Read more

Published 1 year ago

Allegra DiNetta

Something for Everyone

Impro: Improvisation And The Theatre is a surprisingly helpful book by Keith Johnston. After a brief introduction and some autobiographical information, it dives right in to...Read more

Published on January 21, 2016

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