Theater Games for Rehearsal: A Director's Handbook

By Viola Spolin

Book Overview

An updated edition of a key reference text by "the high priestess of improvisational theater"

A major force in the development of American theater, Viola Spolin devised pedagogical techniques that have influenced and inspired legions of actors, improvisers, and directors. Theater Games for Rehearsal: A Director's Handbook, first published in 1985, is a practical application of Spolin's famous method that guides directors and their companies step-by-step through all phases of the rehearsal period.

In Theater Games for Rehearsal, Spolin shows in easy-to-follow detail how her techniques can be used for a variety of theater needs, from selecting performance material, casting, and building a harmonious company to warming up actors, creating stage space, and overcoming opening-night jitters. This new edition, edited by Carol Bleackley Sills, incorporates Spolin's wished-for updates: four important exercises have been added, and instructions presenting her improvisational approach have been clarified throughout. Sidecoaching instructions and game evaluations are boxed and highlighted for on-the-spot reading by the director during rehearsal.

With these additions and improvements, Theater Games for Rehearsal: A Director's Handbook brings Spolin's ideas to a new generation with greater accessibility and excitement. Featuring a new foreword by renowned film director Rob Reiner, the updated edition is mandatory for any theater bookshelf.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810127490
• ISBN13: 9780810127494
• Release Date: January 2011
• Publisher: Northwestern University Press
• Length: 117 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.7" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

From the Back Cover...

"Theater Games for Rehearsal is a practical application of the famous methods which have led Viola Spolin to be called 'the high priestess of improvisational theater.' Spolin's first book since the best-selling Improvisation for the Theater, this handbook guides directors and their companies step-by-step through all phases of the rehearsal period. Distilling her lifeitme of experience in the theater, Spolin shows in easy-to-follow detail how her techniques can be used in a variety of theater situations, ranging from selecting plays to be performed, auditioning the cast, building a harmonious company, warming up the actors, creating stage space...."

theatre games for rehersal

This is a MUST for any director... I LOVED and use it constantly.... I bought it cheaper at a bookstore... but it is great