The Art of Play: The New Genre of Interactive Theatre This is a guide to interactive improvisation comprising a collection of examples, anecdotes and annotated exercises, designed to cover all aspects of this type of theatre, from concept through design and production.

Masteryear Publishing is proud to present this unique guide to a musical skill long considered mysterious and practically un-teachable.Step by step, author Michael Pollock explains the thinking process behind comedy accompaniment and musical direction in clear, simple language. Each concept is illustrated by audio examples, featuring actors from The Second City Los Angeles and Michael at the keys.The best comedy troupes in the world have live keyboard accompaniment, and musicians who can provide this kind of clever, spontaneous underscore are relatively rare. This book and CD leads the way to rapid progress for anyone who would like to learn.

At times, improvisation can be esoteric, complicated, or downright scary. In his book, ‘Improv Made Easier’ twenty-year performer veteran Rich Baker (writer, Epic Rap Battles of History) reframes improv instruction in a way that makes it concrete, simple, and even fun. The author has taught the lessons featured in this book to thousands of students across the country at various theaters, schools, and festivals including The Second City (Chicago & Hollywood), ComedySportz Chicago, Mission Improvable and more. In this book you’ll find: -An overview of improv theory, techniques, and principles -Straight forward, understandable lessons -The Guideposts of Good Scene Work -The ability to identify if a move has a high or low rate of success -Example scenes (lots of them) -Thirty different exercises you can use to help you practice -Frequently Asked Questions -Tips for performers from veteran improviser Oliver Berger -Forward by award-winning improviser Rolland Lopez -Glossary of Terms This book is written in a way to benefit beginners with no previous experience, experienced improv veterans, and everyone else in between. If you want to make learning improv easier and increase your odds at performing consistently great scenes, buy this book.

Improv Comedy – 20th Anniversary Edition by Andy Goldberg Includes exclusive interview with Emmy winner Bryan Cranston IMPROV COMEDY is a must-have book for any student of comedy. It is an invaluable collection of classic scene setups and exercises along with a toolbox of useful advice for building engaging characters, plots and funny situations. This 20th Anniversary Edition of Andy Goldberg’s classic textbook, originally published by SAMUEL FRENCH, is a welcome update to what has become the “modern bible” of improvisational comedy. Widely used by students, teachers, professional actors and even corporate trainers, this book is a treasure trove of exercises, games and fundamental wisdom about building characters that can help anyone become a better actor, writer, performer or communicator.

Improvisation examines how this vital element of the theater can be understood, harnessed, and developed, not only in theater, but in therapy and education as well. It illustrates the way in which improvised drama helps people draw upon their imaginative resources and extend their awareness of themselves and others.

This companion book to “The Art of Play” offers an insider’s advice on how to hold workshops, rehearse and maintain an interactive production. Designed for the actor, director or teacher, this work provides step-by-step guidelines for creating a show – including suggestions on everything from casting to maintenance rehearsals. The book also features a detailed outline of the rehearsal process, with 150 annotated workshop exercises to develop creativity, ensemble improv skills, interactive characterization, and performance elements.

How often do you think, “I’m just not that good of a speaker”? Do you ever blame your bad listening on being overworked or stressed out? Perhaps you wish you could think and respond faster, or that you should be more yourself, and you just don’t know how? Improv(e) provides you with ideas and activities that will immediately bring out your best speaking, listening, and social skills, all while helping you become your best, authentic, and unapologetic self.

Sitcom Writers Talk Shop: Behind the Scenes with Carl Reiner, Norman Lear, and Other Geniuses of TV Comedy Behind every great television show is a group of professionals working at the top of their games-but no one is more important than the writers. And while writing comedy, especially good comedy, is serious business-fraught with actor egos, demanding producers, and sleepless nights-it also can result in classic lines of dialogue. Sitcom Writers Talk Shop: Behind the Scenes with Carl Reiner, Norman Lear, and Other Geniuses of TV Comedy is a collection of conversations with the writers responsible for some of the most memorable shows in television comedy. The men and women interviewed here include series creators, show runners, and staff writers whose talent and hard work have generated literally millions of laughs. In addition to Reiner (The Dick Van Dyke Show) and Lear (All in the Family), this book features in-depth interviews with: ·James L. Brooks (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Simpsons) ·Al Jean (The Simpsons, The Critic) ·Leonard Stern (The Honeymooners, Get Smart) ·Treva Silverman (The Mary Tyler Moore Show) ·Ken Estin (Cheers) ·Matt Williams (Roseanne, Home Improvement) ·Dava Savel (Ellen) ·Larry Charles (Seinfeld) ·David Lee (Frasier) ·Phil Rosenthal…

Designed for those already familiar with the basics, The 5 Elements of Improv is a valuable resource for everyone from beginner to pro. The authors’ theatre, teaching, and improvisation backgrounds will help you become well-versed in the 5 Elements that give you the most bang for your onstage buck: First in the “Masters of Improv” series, The 5 Elements of Improv is the perfect introduction to the Defiant Monkey School of Improv.

The Eight Characters of Comedy is the “How-To” guide for actors & writers who want to break into the world of sitcoms. It has become a staple in acting classes, writers’ rooms, casting offices and production sets around the world. Now, in it’s exciting SECOND EDITION, renowned acting coach and bestselling author, Scott Sedita, gives you even MORE advice and exercises for breaking down comedy scripts, writing jokes and delivering them with comedic precision. Plus, you’ll find in-depth REVISED sections on Sitcom History, The Three Pillars of Comedy, Auditioning for Sitcoms, and his acclaimed comedic technique “The Sedita Method!” Most importantly, you will be introduced to his famous sitcom character archetypes, which will help you build your niche in half-hour comedy “The Eight Characters of Comedy!” Who is normally cast as The Logical Smart One? Why do we love The Lovable Loser? Why is The Neurotic a favorite for actors and writers? How do you play The Dumb One smart? Who are the biggest Bitch/Bastards? What drives The Materialistic Ones? Why is The Womanizer/Manizer so popular? How can you realistically write and play someone In Their Own Universe? The Eight Characters of Comedy answers all these questions and more, with…