The Improv Handbook is the most comprehensive, smart, helpful and inspiring guide to improv available today. Applicable to comedians, actors, public speakers and anyone who needs to think on their toes, it features a range of games, interviews, descriptions and exercises that illuminate and illustrate the exciting world of improvised performance.First published in 2008, this second edition features a new foreword by comedian Mike McShane, as well as new exercises on endings, managing blind offers and master-servant games, plus new and expanded interviews with Keith Johnstone, Neil Mullarkey, Jeffrey Sweet and Paul Rogan.The Improv Handbook is a one-stop guide to the exciting world of improvisation. Whether you're a beginner, an expert, or would just love to try it if you weren't too scared, The Improv Handbook will guide you every step of the way.

Includes a foreword from legendary improv comedian Mike McShane

ContentsForeword by Mike McShaneIntroduction to the Second EditionIntroductionSection One: What Is Improvisation?1.1 What Was Improvisation?AntiquityViola SpolinKeith JohnstoneImprovOlympicThe Spontaneity Shop1.2 Improvisation in PerformanceKeith Johnstone and Competitive ImprovisationDel Close and the HaroldImprovisation On TVIntermission: "Two Stories"#1 "From Innovation to Art Form"#2 "Two Stories"Section Two: How to Improvise2.1 How to Use This Section2.2 Teaching and Learning2.3 SpontaneityPointing at ThingsWhat are you doing?2.4 Saying Yes2.5 What Comes NextThe Importance of PlatformsLengths of PlatformsKeeping PromisesProviding FeedbackThe Right Trouble for The Right HeroSolving ProblemsJoin The DotsCommitteesEndingsThe Magic Formula?2.6 StatusIntroducing The ConceptsWhat is status?Status Off-StageStill HeadsStatus LaddersHigh Status CompetitionsHappy High Status2.7 Go Through an Unusual DoorEverything for a ReasonMaking AssumptionsStrategies for Breaking the RoutineVariationsThe CJ SweepTilting2.8 Working TogetherWord at a TimeStanding WaveMaster/Servant DubbingOver-ConfessingOther Games2.9 Being ChangedStatus SwitchSpeaking in Tongues2.10 More on Masters and ServantsThe Chair GameFingersnapsMaster/Servant Double Header2.11 Twitching, Topping and Paper-flicking2.12 Playing CharactersWhat is a Character?Changing the BodyHilarious GeishaCharacters From a HatShoe ShopsOpposite, Arbitrary, ExtremeCharacters with DepthCharacters with DimensionWhat do you Want?2.13 You Can't Learn Mime from a BookFixed PointsPoppingMaking Noises2.14 Control FreakHypnotist magicianSandy Carroll2.15 Finding the Game in the Scene2.16 Continue or Thank You2.17 Agree, agree, agreeWhen Harry Met SallyPhoto Albums2.18 Playing GamesThree Word SentencesQuestions OnlyGood GamesDumb But FunNever PlayFreak Show GamesDifficult and Easy Games2.19 Final ThoughtsPROBLEM: WimpsPROBLEM: JokerPROBLEM: Yes-sayerPROBLEM: ShinerPROBLEM: RandomPROBLEM: Hard workerGorilla Directing vs. Micetro DirectingHow to be DirectedFinal Words to Students at The End of a Workshop or Series of WorkshopsIntermission: THE RULES AND WHY THERE AREN'T ANY...Never Ask a QuestionKnow the Other PersonNever Argue, Always AgreeAvoid Transaction ScenesStart in the MiddleScripted vs. Improvised ComedyHow to Improvise a Scene That Incorporates All This AdviceSection Three: How to Improvise in Public3.1 Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway3.2 Starting a Company3.3 Nuts and BoltsWhat show?What name?Frequency of ShowsRehearsal SpaceFinding a VenueOther People's ShowsFliers and PostersInternetPressSelling TicketsStarting the ShowMusic and LightsEnding ScenesGetting SuggestionsUsing Audience MembersEnding the ShowThe Next ShowFestivalsIntermission: THE PARADOX OF IMPROVISATIONSection Four: Making Improvisation Pay4.1 Performing?4.2 Teaching Workshops4.3 Corporate Entertainment4.4 Corporate Training4.5 Corporate Events4.6 How to Get Corporate WorkIntermission: WOMEN IN IMPROVSection Five: Talking to Improvisers5.1 Keith Johnstone-The Innovator5.2 Neil Mullarkey-The Comedy Store Player5.3 Randy Dixon-The Synthesizer5.4 Jonathan Pitts-The Impresario5.5 Charna Halpern-The Keeper of the Harold5.6 Mick Napier-Power Improviser5.7 Dan O'Connor-West Coast Legend5.8 Patti Stiles-Our Teacher5.9 David Fenton-Theatresports MC Down Under5.10 Tobias Menzies-The Actor5.11 Jeffrey Sweet-Illegitimate Grandfather of American improv5.12 Dylan Emery-Starter of Showstopper5.13 Paul Rogan-An English Actor and Improviser in LA5.14 Mike McShane-Transatlantic Improviser and Actor5.15 Tom Salinsky discusses the improv show Voices in Your Head and its spin-offs with Deborah Frances-WhiteAfterwordAppendix One: GAMESGood GamesAnimal ExpertDeath In A MinuteDubbingFight For Your NumberHandbagHat GameIt's TuesdayLaugh And LeaveNo SThe RemovalistsSexy Smelly StupidSmall VoiceSpeak In One VoiceSpeed DatingTwinsTypewriterDumb But FunBackwards SceneClap SwitcherooDa Doo Ron RonID CardsInner MonologuePanelPaper chasePillarsSound EffectsThumbs Up Thumbs DownNever PlayDieEntrances And ExitsFreeze TagGenre Rollercoaster Et Al.Sign Language TranslationSuperheroesWarm-Up GamesBibbity Bibbity BopBig BootyElectric CompanyFling Shoo-eyGreetingsI Am, I Am, I Am, I'll TakeMore Stories Like ThatSevensSpotlightYes Let's/NopeYouAppendix Two: SYLLABUSDAY ONE: SpontaneityDAY TWO: StatusDAY THREE: Working TogetherDAY FOUR: Telling StoriesDAY FIVE: Being ChangedDAY SIX: DefiningDAY SEVEN: FailureDAY EIGHT: CharactersGlossary of TermsThanksBibliography