The Improv Illusionist

Zusatztext This is the book I wish I had when I was starting at Second City Informationen zum Autor David Raitt has been performing and teaching improv for over 25 years. Having originally studied Cognitive Science and then Law, he started taking improv classes at The Second City, Toronto, in 1996. By 2000, he'd been hired into their Canadian National Touring Company. He joined the Mainstage ensemble and was also on the Training Centre Education faculty for 17 years. Klappentext Object work, environment and physicality are essential for improvisational theatre. Skilled improvisers can draw audiences into the performance by helping them see things that aren't there. The Improv Illusionist is the first book dedicated to physical improv. It reveals why these skills are so important, how to fix bad habits that develop over time and practical techniques for being more physical on stage. The book features over 50 exercises to help improvisers develop their skills through solo and group work. Instructors will also find notes and tips for teaching physical improv. Improvisers of all ages and experience levels will learn how to: * become more playful through exploring physical activity; * eliminate miscommunication with other players by adding precision to object work; * get new ideas for scenes by exploring the environment and activities; * develop an eye for real-world detail and how to reproduce it in improv; * add more visual flair to scenes; * stay safe, both physically and emotionally, in shows, rehearsals and classes Even the most seasoned improv performers often struggle to be more physical, so this book fills an important niche in improv actor training. Vorwort A practical improv manual that dives deep into object work, environment and physicality in character and performance in relation to improvisation. Zusammenfassung Object work, environment and physicality are essential for improvisational theatre. Skilled improvisers can draw audiences into the performance by helping them see things that aren't there. The Improv Illusionist is the first book dedicated to physical improv. It reveals why these skills are so important, how to fix bad habits that develop over time and practical techniques for being more physical on stage. The book features over 50 exercises to help improvisers develop their skills through solo and group work. Instructors will also find notes and tips for teaching physical improv. Improvisers of all ages and experience levels will learn how to: * become more playful through exploring physical activity; * eliminate miscommunication with other players by adding precision to object work; * get new ideas for scenes by exploring the environment and activities; * develop an eye for real-world detail and how to reproduce it in improv; * add more visual flair to scenes; * stay safe, both physically and emotionally, in shows, rehearsals and classes Even the most seasoned improv performers often struggle to be more physical, so this book fills an important niche in improv actor training. Inhaltsverzeichnis Foreword by Bruce Hunter Introduction Part I: Foundations 1. Why Bother with Environment? 2. First Principles Part II: Object Work 3. Making the Invisible Visible 4. Activities & Routines 5. Bad Habits Part III: Environment 6. Starting with Where 7. Building Worlds 8. Refreshing the Environment 9. Research 10. Unusual Environments Part IV: Problem-Solving 11. Making Discoveries from Environment 12. Three Elements: How to Handle Tricky Situations 13. Physical Stage Effects Part V: Safety 14. Physical Safety 15. Emotional Safety Part VI: The Working Improviser 16. Performing and Learning from Shows 17. Improvising Online 18. Teaching Physical I...

Autorentext
David Raitt has been performing and teaching improv for over 25 years. Having originally studied Cognitive Science and then Law, he started taking improv classes at The Second City, Toronto, in 1996. By 2000, he'd been hired into their Canadian National Touring Company. He joined the Mainstage ensemble and was also on the Training Centre Education faculty for 17 years.

Klappentext

Object work, environment and physicality are essential for improvisational theatre. Skilled improvisers can draw audiences into the performance by helping them see things that aren't there.
The Improv Illusionist is the first book dedicated to physical improv. It reveals why these skills are so important, how to fix bad habits that develop over time and practical techniques for being more physical on stage.
The book features over 50 exercises to help improvisers develop their skills through solo and group work. Instructors will also find notes and tips for teaching physical improv.
Improvisers of all ages and experience levels will learn how to:

• become more playful through exploring physical activity;
• eliminate miscommunication with other players by adding precision to object work;
• get new ideas for scenes by exploring the environment and activities;
• develop an eye for real-world detail and how to reproduce it in improv;
• add more visual flair to scenes;
• stay safe, both physically and emotionally, in shows, rehearsals and classes
  Even the most seasoned improv performers often struggle to be more physical, so this book fills an important niche in improv actor training.

Inhalt

Foreword by Bruce Hunter
Introduction
Part I: Foundations

1. Why Bother with Environment?
2. First Principles

Part II: Object Work
3. Making the Invisible Visible
4. Activities & Routines
5. Bad Habits

Part III: Environment
6. Starting with Where
7. Building Worlds
8. Refreshing the Environment
9. Research
10. Unusual Environments

Part IV: Problem-Solving
11. Making Discoveries from Environment
12. Three Elements: How to Handle Tricky Situations
13. Physical Stage Effects

Part V: Safety
14. Physical Safety
15. Emotional Safety

Part VI: The Working Improviser
16. Performing and Learning from Shows
17. Improvising Online
18. Teaching Physical Improv
Final Thoughts

Acknowledgements
Want to learn more about Physical Improv?
Appendix: Exercises
Glossary of Improv Terms
Bibliography
Index