About the Book:

These 900 improvisation starters can be applied to many theatre situations including character conflicts, solo improvisations, physical positions and much more.

Most beginning actors assume that rehearsing a play or scene involves taking home the script, memorizing lines, and rehearsing scenes over and over until everything — timing, movement, facial expression — is perfect. But that's only partially correct. One missing element in that approach is improvisation, an invaluable technique that can be used in acting classes and in rehearsals for school, amateur and professional productions.

Most teachers and directors realize the value of improvisation as a regular part of their classes or rehearsals, but many find it difficult to come up with fresh ideas on a daily basis. The 900 improvisation ideas in this book Improvisation Starters should provide enough material to last for years. Helpful for many theatre situations, it includes character conflicts, solo improvisations, physical positions, lines of dialogue and reactions to environment. Focusing in on this invaluable technique, the book is a fine resource for both acting classes and rehearsals.

The author Philip Bernardi also has included a section suggesting a variety of improvisations for the production of Romeo and Juliet.

What people say:

"The author, himself an acting teacher and play director, believes that the key to great acting lies in the successful mastery of the art of improvisation, which brings the intensity and spontaneity that marks a truly memorable performance. He encourages actors to work without scripts during some rehearsals and offers 900 improvisational situations designed to stimulate development of character conflicts and the use of obstacles, the environment, and simple props. It should serve as an excellent teaching tool in drama classes." — Library Journal

About the Author:

Philip Bernardi has been a high school acting teacher and director for more than twenty years. A published playwright with a master's degree in Theater Arts, he lives in Waldwick, New Jersey.