Group Improvisation: The Manual of Ensemble Improv Games

by Peter Gwinn

Book Overview

Over 40 improv games for developing group chemistry are included in this concise book, organized into sections: Bonding, Focus, Awareness, Creation, Energy, Dynamics, and more. Every group, not just... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 156608086X
• ISBN13: 9781566080866
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Meriwether Publishing
• Length: 104 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.9" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Group Improv Brilliant!

This book is great for teaching the support and trust actors need to perform any form of theatre...invigorating games with levels of difficulty so they can be used for most any group. I've used it for aged 7 to 18 but it is great for adults as well, especially the more challenging games. Bravo!

Nice Guidance for work on Group Dynamics

Great, thorough descriptions of lots of great group warm-ups and scene exercises. It's not a vast new continent of never-before-seen improv, but it's the clearest map I've ever seen of the very tricky terrain of group dynamics, which can make or break a performance group (or any group, for that matter). Peter Gwinn writes in a fun and playful conversational tone and the accompanying retro-tastic photos of improvisers at play are, frankly, adorable. I have met folks who trained with Gwinn, and now I join them in their wish to hug him for this contribution to the craft. Gracias!

This is a great reference

For anyone coaching/directing or if you're playing on a team where you need to break into new territories and develop new forms, these games are a perfect start. This book explains what the important parts of each game are so that you bring the actual lessons to stagework, not just horse around and forget. I highly recommend the book.

Consider This an Important Addendum...

...to Charna Halpern's "Truth and Comedy." Gwinn takes an actor-centric approach to long-form improvisation, developing characters the way Del Close intended them to be. He grounds his games in terminology befitting any advanced acting technique, exploring emotion and motivation over the tricks and gimmicks synonymous with shows like "Whose Line is it Anyway?"Gwinn has been performing and teaching at Chicago's Improv Olympic for nearly a decade, so he knows his stuff. That being said, as articulate as this book is, it should serve as a supplement, not a substitute, for first-hand experience or training in long- or short-form comedy improvisation.

I love books!

Man, this book is awesome! P.C. Gwinn has done it again! (it?s also nice to Charna Halpern putting pen to paper once again, even if it is only one chapter) I like the chapter about the clapping. Everyone, everywhere, regardless of improv skill or interest, should read this book! I took it into my office and one guy was like, "What's that? Some kind of book?" I said ?Yes sir! It?s some kind of book!? Do yourself a favor and order it now!