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Viola Spolin

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Improvisation for the Theater: A Handbook of Teaching and Directing Techniques (Drama and Performance Studies) Paperback – July 28, 1999

by Viola Spolin (Author)

4.7 288 ratings

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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.

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.

Review

"Her book is the bible." —Rob Reiner

"It's like basic research . . . she [has] changed the theater for generations." —Alan Alda

"She has genius and shares it." —Valerie Harper

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.

Print length

412 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Northwestern University Press
Publication date

July 28, 1999
Dimensions

6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

081014008X
ISBN-13

978-0810140080
Lexile measure

1030L
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Northwestern University Press; 3rd edition (July 28, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 412 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 081014008X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0810140080
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1030L
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.35 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #111,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in TV Direction & Production
- #30 in Theater Direction & Production (Books)
- #67 in Acting & Auditioning

Customer Reviews:
4.7 288 ratings

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Viola Spolin

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Viola Spolin (1906-1994) is the originator of theater games. Her improvisational techniques changed the very nature and practice of modern theater. Spolin 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 son, Paul Sills, was the founding director of The Second City, where Spolin trained the company and served as Director of Workshops until 1965. 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 longer biography can be found on her official website, ViolaSpolin.org.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

288 global ratings

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Tom Caffery

Great shape!

Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2023

Verified Purchase

Good shape and on time!

Helpful

Teddifish

Wonderful, hard-to-find hardcover, in great used condition!

Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2023

Verified Purchase

This book was written by the under-appreciated Mother of improv/impro.

Exactly as described, shipped fast.
Good buy!

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Murodilla Fatkhullaev

It is a big book

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2022

Verified Purchase

When I was purchasing this book I didn’t like the price 😅 However, when it was arrived I realized that it is a 400 page long book 🤩 and can’t wait to start reading and learning more about improv 🤩🤩🤩

Helpful

Anon Ymous

If Viola Spolin is the Grandma Moses of Improv, This is its Bible

Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2014

Verified Purchase

If Viola Spolin is the Grandma Moses of Improv, this is its Bible. If you own this book, Truth in Comedy by Del Close and Chana Halpern as well as the long awaited and recently published UCB Comedy Improvisation Manual by Matt Besser, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh: you've pretty much got your literature covered in the area of improvisation for stage, film and television, including short form and long form, i. e. the Harold. Read these books, any and/or all of them, form a casual or professional improv group and start performing. Each is these books has excersizes and theater games that will help and inspire any professional or aspiring actor, writer, director, musician, comedian and basically any human being who communicates with other life forms of any kind.

The wealth of knowledge available in this book and the others mentioned above are priceless for creative person, especially those working in theater, film and television.

Buy this book and the other two, read them and use what you learn from them, your life will never be the same.

Here's a beautiful quote from the book:

"Everyone can act. Everyone can improvise. Anyone who wishes to can play in the theater and learn to become 'stage-worthy.' We learn through experience and experiencing, and no one teaches anyone anything...If the environment permits it, anyone can learn whatever he chooses to learn; and if the individual permits it, the environment will teach him everything it has to teach. 'Talent' or 'lack of talent' have little to do with it." - Viola Spolin

14 people found this helpful

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Bill W.

Get out of you head and into this book.

Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2022

Verified Purchase

An essential book for any actor, improviser or performer. You can’t just read it, you have to PLAY it. Find yourself a side coach like Spolin’s granddaughter Aretha Sills. A good coach that can explain the game and keep the focus is essential. Your copy with be dog eared in no time.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Bernie

A classic.

Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2022

Verified Purchase

Had this book years ago when I was doing improv. Got it again to learn the games for another purpose.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Anne

Experiential Magic!

Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2017

Verified Purchase

I use this in my groups at a rehab facility in order to get my clients to get in touch with their body, their intuition, their feelings and emotions. My goal is to normalize this stuff that comes up and to peak their interest in a well lived life where they can tolerate their feelings and emotions and discover the richness they offer rather than self medicating against feeling anything. We carefully unpack deeper meaning and are amazed continually at what a person without drugs can intuitively discover... even feeling and correctly matching the color of an unknown object! Play while learning is a lost art and this book facilitates that goal.

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

V. Brockbank

The quintessential Handbook for Spolin Improvisation for the Theater

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2019

Verified Purchase

A great book for many of the games Viola Spolin created. I take Classes in Improvisation for the Theater and this is the book used. The chapter headings in the front of the book describe the games but an index would be handy.

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Philippa Main

An inspirational individual - all teachers/parents should read this

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 25, 2020

Verified Purchase

Wow! She’s such an inspiration! Love this book. I wish I’d had it earlier /my drama teacher had read it at school.

A must read & good fun!

One person found this helpful

Dave

Improvision fo the Theatre as well as Language Arts clasroom

Reviewed in Canada on November 5, 2016

Verified Purchase

Great book for those who wish to teach drama our use drama in their classrooms as a tool for affective learning.

Em

imprescindible

Reviewed in Spain on February 24, 2017

Verified Purchase

Hombre, este libro es un clásico de la improvisación.
Dice mucho el hecho de que el libro mítico de Viola Spolin no haya sido traducido aquí en España.

Translate review to English

annrha

A must read for theatre people and actors

Reviewed in Germany on April 28, 2014

Verified Purchase

Its not only for the life on stage, its also for the life of everyday situation. This theatre-actors guide gives psychological insights of all kind for people who want to be more aware of what pulls and pushes us to act or resist to act.

2 people found this helpful

Juanma

Imprescindible

Reviewed in Spain on October 5, 2019

Verified Purchase

Imprescindible. Mal servicio de entrega de Amazon Logistic

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