Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show UpIn an irresistible invitation to lighten up, look around, and live an unscripted life, a master of the art of improvisation explains how to adopt the attitudes and techniques used by generations of musicians and actors. Let’s face it: Life is something we all make up as we go along. No matter how carefully we formulate a “script,” it is bound to change when we interact with people with scripts of their own. Improv Wisdom shows how to apply the maxims of improvisational theater to real-life challenges—whether it’s dealing with a demanding boss, a tired child, or one of life’s never-ending surprises. Patricia Madson distills thirty years of experience into thirteen simple strategies, including “Say Yes,” “Start Anywhere,” “Face the Facts,” and “Make Mistakes, Please,” helping readers to loosen up, think on their feet, and take on everything life has to offer with skill, chutzpah, and a sense of humor. |
From inside the book
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Page 11
... co- terie of university friends and colleagues . This was the job of my dreams . I had a regular ( albeit modest ) paycheck , generous benefits , the prestige of being a of a professor , long holidays , and the security II.
... co- terie of university friends and colleagues . This was the job of my dreams . I had a regular ( albeit modest ) paycheck , generous benefits , the prestige of being a of a professor , long holidays , and the security II.
Page 12
... dream permanent and the way to do that was to gain tenure . I studied the politics of the university and volunteered for any task that would look good on my academic résumé . I chaired the Governance Review Commission . I took on a ...
... dream permanent and the way to do that was to gain tenure . I studied the politics of the university and volunteered for any task that would look good on my academic résumé . I chaired the Governance Review Commission . I took on a ...
Page 13
... dream , and act . I opened my eyes , looked around , and said yes . I didn't know it at the time , but I was becoming an improviser , learning to listen and to trust my imagination . Two years later Stanford University enticed me away ...
... dream , and act . I opened my eyes , looked around , and said yes . I didn't know it at the time , but I was becoming an improviser , learning to listen and to trust my imagination . Two years later Stanford University enticed me away ...
Page 16
... much trouble to be a good neighbor or friend ? What is happening to our daily life and to our dreams ? What is missing in your life ? The paperweight on my desk challenges me to ask the bumper - sticker question 16 improv wisdom.
... much trouble to be a good neighbor or friend ? What is happening to our daily life and to our dreams ? What is missing in your life ? The paperweight on my desk challenges me to ask the bumper - sticker question 16 improv wisdom.
Page 17
... dreams , paint outside the lines ? This book will provide inspiration and practical suggestions . Try them . The Improvisers ' World There's a secret society , known to the initiated as " the im- prov world . " I've been a member of ...
... dreams , paint outside the lines ? This book will provide inspiration and practical suggestions . Try them . The Improvisers ' World There's a secret society , known to the initiated as " the im- prov world . " I've been a member of ...
Contents
the ninth maxim | 89 |
the tenth maxim | 103 |
the eleventh maxim | 114 |
the twelfth maxim | 123 |
the thirteenth maxim | 137 |
acknowledgments | 149 |
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action answer artist asked become begin Bill McKibben bricolage Chungliang Al Huang Constructive Living cook create Denison University detail discover drama dreams Edward Espe Brown eleventh maxim enjoy everything exercise eyes fear feel focus friends gift give habit happen idea imagination improvisation Jane Stanford Japanese Keith Johnstone kind learned listen look mind mistakes move names natural never Notice offer Oomoto paint pay attention Pay It Forward person perspective planning play players problem question reality remember reminds response Reynolds Rick Steves ritual RYAN MADSON say yes script seems sense shared control simply smile someone speak speech stage Stanford Improvisors story Ta-dah task teacher teaching thanks theater Theatresports things thought tion True Fiction Magazine turn Vasubandhu walk watch words writing wrong