Recommended
Books
Pan
Theater is pleased to recommend the books that have had the greatest
impact on our acting, improvisation and workshops. These theater
and acting books provide theory, history, useful games, exercises,
and other useful information for those exploring improvisational
drama. The Johnstone (Impro and Impro for Storytellers)
and Spolin (Improvisation for the Theater and Theater
Games for the Lone Actor ) books are considered the "bibles" of improv
theory and structure. Truth in Comedy is a must read for
those interested in long form improv (improvised plays).
We also list some of our favorite books
on acting, drama, art, and life in general. If you would like
to recommend a book for our list please send us an email at
pantheater@comcast.net.
When
you purchase books through the links below you help support Pan
Theater.
Improv
Impro,
Keith Johnstone
A
fantastic book on improv and life in general. Its written
in a stream of consciousness fashion and provides lessons that apply
not only to improv, but to learning, life and personal growth.
The emphasis on learning through experience and learning to accept
mistakes as part of the learning process is inspiring.
 
Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre
Impro
for StoryTellers, Keith Johnstone
Impro
for StoryTellers is more structured than Impro and provides a great
glossary of improv terms and a cohesive theory of improv skills
and structure. Great for both the beginning and advanced improviser.
 
Impro for Storytellers
Improvisation
for the Theater, Spolin
The
classic Spolin text is a manual and listing of improv games.
Taken from the beginning it provides a manual of increasingly more
complex improv exercises. The book is very detailed and shows
the purpose of games in developing improvisational theater
skills. This text and Impro are great starting places for
new improvisers.  
Improvisation for the Theater: A Handbook of Teaching and Directing Techniques, Including a New Appendix
Acting
on Impulse, Carol Hazenfield
A
great text written by a Bay Area improv teacher and performer.
Ms.
Hazenfield is a member of BATS
main stage players. The book provides sound advice
for learning to act through the body and follow the impulse of the
scene. A great book for those serious about creating "real"
and powerful improv drama. Acting on Impulse: The Art of Making Improv Theater
Truth
in Comedy, Charna Halpern, Del Close and Kim Johnson
Provides
a good flavor for the the Close school of improv and a must read
for anyone interested in long form. The book includes several
long form formats. Del
Close is considered the founder of long form. Del either
worked with or taught many of the nations top performs including:
John Belushi, Bill Murray, John Candy, Don DePollo, George Wendt,
Eugenie Ross-Lemming, David Rasche, and Shelley Long.
Del Close was the creator of the "Harold", or improvised play,
a format widely used throughout the improv
world.
 
Truth in Comedy: The Manual of Improvisation
Something
Wonderful Right Away, Jeffrey Sweet
A
great book on improv. An oral history of The Second City and
The Compass Players by those that were there.
 
Something Wonderful Right Away
 
Book on Acting: Improvisation Technique for the Professional Actor
in Film, Theater and Television
Book
on Acting, Improvisation Technique, Stephen Book
A
book that focuses on improv as acting rather than improv as comedy.
The text is detailed and combines exercises from both improv and
traditional acting. It is geared toward those interested in
acting or improvised drama. One of the longer texts on improv.
 
Improvise: Scene from the inside Out
A fantastic book written by one of modern
improv's greats.
Mr. Napier is considered a master teacher, performer and creator of
improvised theater. This book will help those looking to take their
scenes to the next level.
Acting
Respect
for Acting, Uta Hagen
Respect for Acting
Sanford
Meisner on Acting, Dennis Longwell
Meisner
technique is powerful stuff. This text follows a teaching season at
the Neighborhood Playhouse where Sandy Meisner developed his technique
and trained and challenged some of the world's top theater artists.
Meisner technique focuses on responding truthfully to the moment.
The core of the technique is the repetition exercise. Many
of the exercises and techniques are fantastic for improv training.
A must-read for those considering attending a Meisner training program.
 
Sanford Meisner on Acting
Please
support Pan Theater by purchasing your improv and theater books
via the links above or the Barnes and Noble search link below.
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