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

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""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: #27,202 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #30 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Theater > Acting & Auditioning
- #79 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Performing Arts > Theater
- #2609 in Books > Humor & Entertainment

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Budster

I cannot recommend this book enough

January 6, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This may be one of the most important books about spontaneity training for all purposes including of course all of the arts, therapy, and business applications. Johnstone's personal journey in discovering what keeps us trapped in the constant repetitive thinking which ultimately leads to fewer choices in life often a feeling of being trapped, has shown joyful unpredictable ways of breaking out of that trap and reassuming the spontaneous creative genius which is our heritage as human beings. We use so little of our capacity to think outside the box as we are ruled by the subconscious repetitive nay saying imposed on us from birth. Johnstone has shown us so many ways of liberating our minds and reestablishing a sense of freedom to think as we will. As someone who has written about this sort of thing and been a professional in theater, song writing, and as a therapist helping people to break out of their defeating cycles and working at times specifically with creative people who have lost their muse, I cannot recommend this book enough. It is a breakthrough in so many areas. GET IT!!

8 people found this helpful

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James Britt

Valuable even for people outside the theater

August 18, 2011

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I heard about this book from a discussion on general social interaction. In particular, how people could learn to employee various behavioral characteristics that lead others granting you this or that social status. In other words, you can learn to get others to think of you as the boss or of otherwise high status. Or of low status, if that's your goal. The idea seemed both creepy and intriguing so I got the book.

And while this is indeed discussed in this book, there is so much more. While ostensibly a book on teaching techniques for better improv theater the reasoning and discussion on *why* this or that technique works is amazing.

The author talks about why most formal education stinks, why people who try too hard to be original often are anything but, how and why people befuddle their own imagination and inventiveness, and how one can get around all that.

Even if you never partake in any improv theater the book will give you interesting and useful ideas on how people (including you) perceive things, how people react to the unfamiliar and challenging, and how you can open yourself up to more rewarding experiences.

4 people found this helpful

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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.

2 people found this helpful

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Patrick Moore LMT

Using improvisation in education, and on stage as a method of self-discovery (not therapy)

July 20, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I learned so much! Where to start?

One thing that seems underappreciated in Keith Johnstone is his education philosophy. You could put this book in the category Philosophy of Education. He would resonate with Abraham Maslow and Fritz Frederick Perls on the Gestalt of discovery, that learning is a playful and creative process.

I read the section on masks though it was the least useful to me. The masks on the cover make it seem like it is about mask work for the theater. Yes, that is in there but there is a lot more.

Johnstone is permissive with actors acting out sexuality and violence, if that is genuine, just to let potential readers know what you might be reading.

Johnstone recognizes that people doing improv do selfactualize or develop or release old patterns. However, he does not advocate doing improv as a form of therapy. He feels it is unnecessary to point out and analyze, like, "Do you see this thing you are acting out is really one of your issues?" because such talk will inhibit the person from acting out anything else. So it is more like self-discovery. Some Psychodrama therapists may say that it's not going to be therapeutic, the pattern will persist unless it is identified more consciously, and they may be right. Johnstone feels it is enough to just let the mind play out and it will do what it needs to do.

I would like to write a thorough review of this book. It would be twenty pages or more, there is so much here to discover.

2 people found this helpful

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Richard Henzel

The Best Book on Improvisation, and Mask Trancing too~!

December 24, 2009

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I have taken workshops under Mr. Johnstone, but was really glad I read his book beforehand. It is an excellent collection of exercises, anecdotes, and case studies of improv, scene building, and especially masks. The last fourth of the book includes numerous mask exercises and scenes, along with a good discussion of the origins and history of mask work. I have been using his book to teach mask workshops since 1981 with great success. I heartily recommend this book not just to actors, but to anyone who would like to understand better the profound influence our outer appearance has on our psyche and our relationships to others. How many times have you heard, "What do you mean by that look?" or "Don't give me that look." Very interesting and applicable to everyday life, not just theatre. I even use what I've learned in my voiceover auditions and sessions--because I've found that if I can make the face, I'm halfway to creating the voice needed, whether it be an impersonation of a famous personality, or even just a simple announce job. "Smile when you say that, partner!" is more than a cliche--it's a fact of human communication.

4 people found this helpful

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July 28, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

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 especially teachers.

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krispy_enterprises

entertaining and inspiring

January 20, 2006

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I read most of this in one sitting! It's that engrossing. Mr. Johnstone's writing is very lucid and the anecdotes he provides are illuminating/concise/memorable. The best chapter was about narrative ... it taught me what a story is and isn't. That lesson alone is worth the price of this book.

I'm a novelist but found this to be a better stimulus than most of the "how to write fiction" manuals or writing classes out there. It describes a lot of games one could play to get the creative juices flowing. //Highly// recommend buying this if you're interested in any form of art or creativity.

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Most recent customer reviews

Nadia H. Asencio

Masterful

The only book you will ever need on the art of improvisation.

Published 1 month ago

Zafer

But definitely loved the other parts

Last chapters on mask was a bit confusing for me. But definitely loved the other parts, much more than impro.

Published 6 months ago

Matias Nicolas Layño

Five Stars

all good

Published 6 months ago

EAM

Had no expectations and turned out to be superb

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

Published 6 months ago

Matt House

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

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.

Published 7 months ago

Jane Daily

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 9 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 on June 13, 2016

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