A great book if you want to start a troupe and need some ideas on exercises.

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Product Description

Acting on Impulse is a new approach to the art of improvising. Carol Hazenfield combines new theory with practical exercises and a unique understanding of the rewards and challenges faced by performers. This in-depth look at improv is written in a conversational style with an easy blend of humor and passion. Acting on Impulse seeks to challenge the status quo (and slay some sacred cows) in the pursuit of dynamic, spontaneous theater.

Part One teaches players to perform truthfully from their instincts, emphasizing physical and emotional work as the basis for vibrant interactions. Part Two presents practical, accessible guidelines for narrative, character development, environments, group scenes, genre work and long-form improvisation. Readers will also learn the essentials of spontaneous acting through the use of objectives and tactics. A special chapter on how to make scenes work takes the mystery out of improv mastery. Instructors will appreciate the Appendix for Teachers, which offers tips on class design, constructive note-giving and additional exercises.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #344678 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

From the Inside Flap
Acting on Impulse is a new approach to the craft of improvising. Here are the tools you need to create high-stakes spontaneous theater. Whether it's wild comedy or sudden drama, surprise your audience and yourself as you perform with new commitment and depth.

Discover how to: play from your instincts, take bigger risks on stage, tell stories that delight the audience, follow your body and give your brain the day off, build complex characters, and make choices that strengthen scenes.

Drawing on techniques from traditional theater, you will learn to be an improvisational actor, ready to portray all aspects of human behavior. Acting on Impulse invites you to set a new standard for improv, to re-define risk and take the plunge into uncharted theatrical territory.

About the Author
Carol Hazenfield is a professional actor, director, and coach with 25 years of experience in the theater, thirteen of which have been devoted to improv. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she has performed and taught across the United States and in Canada. She is the founder and director of Living Improv, a popular training program for improvisational and scripted acting.

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Customer Reviews

Rasing the bar for Improv Acting
Carol is truly an amazing teacher. I've been waiting years for her book, and low and behold, here it is. Carol focuses on pulling a higher level of theater out of the genre of improv, raising the bar from silly throw away games to truly great acting. When I walk out on stage, I probably use the skills I've learned from Carol more than any other teacher's I've ever worked with. Acting on Impulse is a must own for any improv actor. - Christian, owner of IMPROVACTOR.COM

Answers the big questions
"Carol Hazenfields 'Acting On Impulse' finally asks and answers the big questions of improv! An absolute must read for improvisational artists of all levels and theater theorists everywhere."

Great Book!
I love this book! Tons of great concepts, practical, well written and easy to apply. An excellent resource for teaching as well. If you are an improviser, read this book!

-Galen