While I continue to massage drafts of future posts, now seems like the perfect time to discuss some great books about improvisational theater. After my Core Conversation at SXSW, a few people approached me looking for some book titles. These are the three beginning texts I recommended: Impro by Keith Johnstone — I started with […]
Whenever I lead a rehearsal for one of my improv troupes, there’s a great storytelling exercise I like to include. Primal Truths originates from Carol Hazenfield’s Acting on Impulse, which is a wonderful book for improvisers, directors and teachers. The purpose of [Primal Truths] is two-fold: 1) to let players note how it feels when […]
Improvisational theater classes provide a great way to enhance your creative side. Unsurprisingly, forcing oneself to make up content without prior planning will lead to some unexpected results. It might appear challenging to pull ideas out of thin air, but time spent onstage will prove it is easier than most think. In Keith Johnstone’s Impro, Johnstone […]
The simplest concept to boil down from an improv class and share with the outside world is the idea of “yes, and”. It’s a powerful tool that lies at the core of every good improvised scene and collaborative creative process. “Yes” represents the acceptance of another person’s offer. One improviser might begin a scene with […]
The most important lesson anyone can learn in a novice improv class is this: do not fear failure. When a person is afraid of failure, he/she has a strong tendency to avoid taking risks. In improvisational theater and in life, risks are often key to substantial growth and success. Successful companies like Google and Apple […]
I first registered this website in November 2005. Over time, it transitioned into a relatively generic personal blog. I chronicled my taste in music and television shows (including speculation about the fate of Arrested Development), among other things. The old blog was an interesting outlet, but it lacked focus and grew relatively inactive over the […]