Improvisation Starters

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 that 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 nine hundred improvisation ideas in this book should provide enough material to last for years.

What the book includes can be applied to many theater situations. For example, there are many improvisation starters for character conflicts—teen/parent, peer relationships, love relationships, co-workers, doctor/patient, brother/sister, and more; solo improvisations; physical positions (for one or two players); lines of dialogue; and reactions to environment. The author also has included a section suggesting a variety of improvisations for the production of Romeo and Juliet.