Truth in Comedy: The Manual of ImprovisationWant to learn the improv techniques that helped Mike Myers, Chris Farley, John Belushi, and many others along the road to TV and film stardom? Then let two esteemed founders of long-form improvisational theatre, Del Close and Charna Halpern, teach you the "Harold." This groundbreaking acting exercise emphasizes pattern recognition and subversion of the audience's expectations, which are important factors for making people laugh without ever telling a joke. It involves six to seven players and many kinds of scenes: games, monologues, songs, skits and more, all of which are bound to keep both actors and audience members guessing. The Harold is non-linear entertainment that remembers everything and wastes nothing the key to successful improvising and has become a standard in comedy clubs and improv theatres around the globe. |
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Truth in Comedy: The Manual for Improvisation Charna Halpern,Del Close,Kim Johnson No preview available - 1994 |
Common terms and phrases
99 PLAYER action actors ahead asking attack the stage audi audience basic beat become beginning Belushi Bill Murray characters Charna Halpern choices Chris Farley commit Compass Players Conducted Story connections couple Del Close Del's developed director discoveries discussed dojo ence environment everything example exercise fellow players focus funny game moves George Wendt Gilda Radner group mind happen Harold players high school Hot Spot important improvisation ImprovOlympic initiation inspired JENNA John Belushi jokes Kazurinski KEY POINTS laugh line of dialog listening look manhole covers Mike Mike Myers mistake monologs Naked Gun Pattern Game performers physical pizza play PLAYER FOUR players discover POINTS FOR CHAPTER relationship remember response rules Saturday Night Live Second City someone song split scene stand-up step suggestion teach tell theatre theme There's things Tim Kazurinski trust trying usually Viet walk WOMAN words workshop