The Improv Illusionist

Name: The Improv Illusionist
Brand: Allen & Unwin
SKU: 9781350326378
Price: 45.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

Using Object Work, Environment, and Physicality in Performance

By David Raitt

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Summary

The Improv Illusionist by David Raitt is a pioneering guide dedicated to physical improvisational theatre. It explores how object work, environment, and physicality are vital for engaging performances, helping actors create illusions that draw audiences into the unseen. With over 50 solo and group exercises, the book offers practical techniques and teaching tips to refine physical improv skills, eliminate miscommunication, inspire new scene ideas, and ensure safety on stage.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$45⁰⁰

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The Improv Illusionist

$45⁰⁰

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for improvisers of all ages and experience levels, including both practitioners and instructors seeking to enhance physicality and precision in improvisational theatre.

Description

Object work, environment, and physicality are essential for improvisational theatre. Skilled improvisers can draw audiences into the performance by helping them see things that aren't there.

The Improv Illusionist is the first book dedicated to physical improv. It reveals why these skills are so important, how to fix bad habits that develop over time, and practical techniques for being more physical on stage.

The book features over 50 exercises to help improvisers develop their skills through solo and group work. Instructors will also find notes and tips for teaching physical improv.

Improvisers of all ages and experience levels will learn how to:

become more playful through exploring physical activity;
eliminate miscommunication with other players by adding precision to object work;
get new ideas for scenes by exploring the environment and activities;
develop an eye for real-world detail and how to reproduce it in improv;
add more visual flair to scenes;
stay safe, both physically and emotionally, in shows, rehearsals and classes.

Even the most seasoned improv performers often struggle to be more physical, so this book fills an important niche in improv actor training.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised by actor Geri Hall as "the book I wish I had when I was starting at Second City," The Improv Illusionist is celebrated as a wonderful and eloquent workbook that encourages readers to play, practice, and create magical illusions. Status Magazine highlights its value as a guide to long-term improv practice.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781350326378

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 24 August 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Methuen Drama

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 232.0mm

Weight: 360g

Pages: 216

Collections

Arts & Culture David Raitt Non-Fiction

About the Author

David Raitt has been performing and teaching improv for over 25 years. After acquiring degrees in Cognitive Science and then Law, he started taking improv classes at The Second City, Toronto, in 1996. By 2000, he'd been hired into their Canadian National Touring Company. He performed with the Mainstage ensemble and was also on the Training Centre Education faculty for 17 years. He offers speciality workshops in environment, object work and physicality.