Truth in Comedy : The Manual for Improvisation - Charna Halpern {PDF|EPUB|MOBI} [Seduction28] *Best Seller*

Amazon Best Seller #13 in Acting & Auditioning Books


"The brain wave of three improv gurus, this book is a complete guide to improvisation for both novice and professional actors and comics. An outgrowth of the successful curriculum initiated by two of the authors at the ImprovOlympic, it describes improvisational tools and techniques, from the "Pattern Game" and "The Hot Spot" to the innovative and sophisticated "Harold." Far from an ordinary how-to handbook, this clearly composed authority on comedic improvisation stresses intuitive thinking, listening skills, continuity, characterization, and, most important, teamwork. Numerous testimonials from reputed actors strengthen the text's credibility, already secured by the expertise of its authorship. Sample scenes and games take hilarious twists while illustrating the inevitability of connections and the importance of justification among team members. The authors' primary focus is the achievement of the group mind, and the book's chapter construction necessarily culminates with that creative misnomer known as the Harold. The manual is flexibly designed to allow for easy performance in both acting classes and professional settings and will prove a valuable reference source to actors and directors alike."

- Kathleen Chrysler, Booklist


The "Harold" is a form of competitive improv involving six or seven players. They take a theme suggestion from the audience and "free associate" on the theme into a series of rapid-fire one-liners that build into totally unpredictable skits with hilarious results. The Now it is described fully in Truth In Comedy for the benefit of other aspiring actors and comics. The Harold is a fun way to "loosen up" and learn to think quickly, build continuity, develop characterizations and sharpen humor -- all part of successful improvising. Its format is flexible and allows for easy performance in acting classes and a variety of other settings. An excellent book for any comedy enthusiast.

- Midwest Book Review