The start of the year is a good time to reflect. In this case, I decided to look at the new publishing releases brought on by the 2020 pandemic. It was noticeable that there was a surge in improv books in subsequent years, fueled by the time of confinement and reflection. Some companies had to shut down, and this gave their members time to pause and put their perspectives and way of living and teaching improv into writing.

This quarter, we didn’t see any new publishing releases, so we’re reviving an essay published in 2024. In addition, 11 new titles have been added to the improv library, among which applied improvisation stands out, especially in the medical field. If you’ve read them, leave a comment with your opinion, and if you know of an interesting title that’s missing (or that you’re going to publish), please comment here so everyone knows about it.

Starred release: Improvisation Libre! (Samuel Berger)

French improviser Samuel Berger, a member of Les Intermédiaires, has toured numerous cities (Paris, Toulouse, Leipzig) and worked in various types of improv and cabaret shows. He has been writing for some time about his vision of improvisation. In this essay, published last year, he broadens his horizons regarding theatrical creation and improvisation as a lever for experimentation.

By the way, perhaps it’s time to add the extensive bibliography in French to this website. If you agree, please leave your comment; suggestions are welcome.

News on the list:

In addition, the next improv books have been added to our shelves:

•  Improv: A Rant (Nick Mataragas). A cheeky essay on the state of improv, as seen from the US scene.
• The Improv Illusionist (David Raitt). Interesting treatise on gestural work, environment and object creation, as well as physicality.
• Prácticas de dramatización (Tomás Motos Teruel, Francisco Tejedo)
• The Improv Dictionary (David Charles)
• You Can’t Learn Improv From a Book (Alan Hawkins)
• Improv to Improve Healthcare (Candy Campbell). Applied Improv in the social-health environment, addressing both teamwork and working with patients in a delicate environment with intense emotions.
• Improv to Improve Your Leadership Team (Candy Campbell). Candy Campbell’s second book on applied improv, expanding to teamwork and leadership in any type of business.
• Group Activities for Social Emotional Learning using Sketch Comedy and Improv Games (Shawn Amador, Eleni S. Liossis)
• Medical Improv (Beth Boynton) Another book on improv applied to the healthcare environment.
• Therapeutic Improvisation: How to Stop Winging It and Own It as a Therapist (Michael Alcée) Improv as a tool for therapy.
• The Applied Improvisation Mindset (Theresa Robins Dudeck, Caitlin McClure)