The Second City Guide to Improv in the Classroom

The Second City Guide to Improv in the Classroom

Author: Katherine S. McKnight

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2008-05-09

Total Pages: 214

ISBN-13: 0787996505

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Most people know The Second City as an innovative school for improvisation that has turned out leading talents such as Alan Arkin, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, and Tina Fey. This groundbreaking company has also trained thousands of educators and students through its Improvisation for Creative Pedagogy program, which uses improv exercises to teach a wide variety of content areas, and boost skills that are crucial for student learning: listening, teamwork, communication, idea-generation, vocabulary, and more.


Book Synopsis The Second City Guide to Improv in the Classroom by : Katherine S. McKnight

Download or read book The Second City Guide to Improv in the Classroom written by Katherine S. McKnight and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2008-05-09 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most people know The Second City as an innovative school for improvisation that has turned out leading talents such as Alan Arkin, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, and Tina Fey. This groundbreaking company has also trained thousands of educators and students through its Improvisation for Creative Pedagogy program, which uses improv exercises to teach a wide variety of content areas, and boost skills that are crucial for student learning: listening, teamwork, communication, idea-generation, vocabulary, and more.


Teaching Improv

Teaching Improv

Author: Mel Paradis

Publisher:

Published: 2019-04

Total Pages: 146

ISBN-13: 9780578517179

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Do you want to teach improv, but don't know where to start? Are you looking for ways to structure improv games into effective lesson plans? Introducing Teaching Improv: The Essential Handbook, a new resource packed with 16 step-by-step lesson plans that will take the stress out of planning your improv classes. We've done the hard work for you, by organizing today's best improv games into fun, skill-based lessons that your students will absolutely love. More importantly, you'll see them grow into confident and creative performers. This resource was created by the same award-winning publisher of Teaching Drama: The Essential Handbook, a #1 best-seller on Amazon which has sold over 35,000 copies and has been translated into 5 languages. Go beyond improv games. With this book you'll get: 16 detailed, full-proof lesson plans that cover the "9 rules of improv" Notes on how to introduce improv concepts in clear, concise language Over 114 improv games and activities Reflection and journaling exercises after each lesson Homework handouts and YouTube video links to deepen understanding Sample "performance line-ups" for every age/experience level A troubleshooting guide to address common issues Bonus Digital Material with 23 Videos to demonstrate how games are played Below are just a few of the topics covered in the lessons: Teamwork and Trust. Students will demonstrate an understanding of improv and develop trust with their classmates. Make Associations. Students will practice making associations and discover tools to help them think quickly and creatively. Yes, and. Students will demonstrate the ability to accept a statement or action that they are given and add something to it. Listen. Students will listen to each other by observing how their classmates move and absorbing what their classmates say. Relate. Students will learn to internalize and connect with whatever has been communicated. Be honest. Students will demonstrate honesty in their creation of environments, objects and characters. Be in the present. Students will make strong initiations that are rooted in the present. Tell a story. Students will learn how to incorporate the Important Elements of Storytelling into their scenes. Develop Relationships. Students will explore how status affects relationships, and how it can be used to enhance a scene for comedic or dramatic effect. Scenework. Students will create entertaining scenes with characters who have a strong relationship, locations, a strong initiation, and a conflict.


Book Synopsis Teaching Improv by : Mel Paradis

Download or read book Teaching Improv written by Mel Paradis and published by . This book was released on 2019-04 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Do you want to teach improv, but don't know where to start? Are you looking for ways to structure improv games into effective lesson plans? Introducing Teaching Improv: The Essential Handbook, a new resource packed with 16 step-by-step lesson plans that will take the stress out of planning your improv classes. We've done the hard work for you, by organizing today's best improv games into fun, skill-based lessons that your students will absolutely love. More importantly, you'll see them grow into confident and creative performers. This resource was created by the same award-winning publisher of Teaching Drama: The Essential Handbook, a #1 best-seller on Amazon which has sold over 35,000 copies and has been translated into 5 languages. Go beyond improv games. With this book you'll get: 16 detailed, full-proof lesson plans that cover the "9 rules of improv" Notes on how to introduce improv concepts in clear, concise language Over 114 improv games and activities Reflection and journaling exercises after each lesson Homework handouts and YouTube video links to deepen understanding Sample "performance line-ups" for every age/experience level A troubleshooting guide to address common issues Bonus Digital Material with 23 Videos to demonstrate how games are played Below are just a few of the topics covered in the lessons: Teamwork and Trust. Students will demonstrate an understanding of improv and develop trust with their classmates. Make Associations. Students will practice making associations and discover tools to help them think quickly and creatively. Yes, and. Students will demonstrate the ability to accept a statement or action that they are given and add something to it. Listen. Students will listen to each other by observing how their classmates move and absorbing what their classmates say. Relate. Students will learn to internalize and connect with whatever has been communicated. Be honest. Students will demonstrate honesty in their creation of environments, objects and characters. Be in the present. Students will make strong initiations that are rooted in the present. Tell a story. Students will learn how to incorporate the Important Elements of Storytelling into their scenes. Develop Relationships. Students will explore how status affects relationships, and how it can be used to enhance a scene for comedic or dramatic effect. Scenework. Students will create entertaining scenes with characters who have a strong relationship, locations, a strong initiation, and a conflict.


Improvisation Games for Classical Musicians

Improvisation Games for Classical Musicians

Author: Jeffrey Agrell

Publisher:

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13:

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Why don't classical musicians improvise? Why do jazz players get to have all the fun? And how do they develop such fabulous technique and aural skills? With these words, Jeffrey Agrell opens the door to improvisation for all non-jazz musicians who thought it was beyond their ability to play extemporaneously. Step-by-step, Agrell leads through a series of games, rather than exercises. The game format takes the pressure off of classically trained musicians, steering them away from their fixation on mistake-free performance and introducing the basic concepts of playing with music itself instead of obsessing over a perfect rendition of a written score. Agrell draws an analogy with sports that illustrates the absurdity of the traditional approach to classically-oriented music performance.


Book Synopsis Improvisation Games for Classical Musicians by : Jeffrey Agrell

Download or read book Improvisation Games for Classical Musicians written by Jeffrey Agrell and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why don't classical musicians improvise? Why do jazz players get to have all the fun? And how do they develop such fabulous technique and aural skills? With these words, Jeffrey Agrell opens the door to improvisation for all non-jazz musicians who thought it was beyond their ability to play extemporaneously. Step-by-step, Agrell leads through a series of games, rather than exercises. The game format takes the pressure off of classically trained musicians, steering them away from their fixation on mistake-free performance and introducing the basic concepts of playing with music itself instead of obsessing over a perfect rendition of a written score. Agrell draws an analogy with sports that illustrates the absurdity of the traditional approach to classically-oriented music performance.


Teaching Social Skills Through Sketch Comedy and Improv Games

Teaching Social Skills Through Sketch Comedy and Improv Games

Author: Shawn Amador

Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Published: 2018-02-21

Total Pages: 144

ISBN-13: 1784508209

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Introducing a Social TheatreTM, this book provides guidance on how to deliver fun and transformative activities to develop social skills in teenagers and children. Drawing on ideas from Social Thinking®, CBT, mindfulness and assertiveness training this book develops games, skits and short plays which can be adapted to suit children and teenagers including those who are gifted, typical, and those with mild to moderate cognitive abilities. These activities will help participants become more assertive and flexible as well as improving confidence, focus and self-esteem. Social TheatreTM can be used in small groups, in class or throughout the school, as well as in group therapy sessions. It provides a new and inclusive way to teach social skills and collaborative learning and is especially useful for those with anxiety, ADHD and ASD.


Book Synopsis Teaching Social Skills Through Sketch Comedy and Improv Games by : Shawn Amador

Download or read book Teaching Social Skills Through Sketch Comedy and Improv Games written by Shawn Amador and published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. This book was released on 2018-02-21 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Introducing a Social TheatreTM, this book provides guidance on how to deliver fun and transformative activities to develop social skills in teenagers and children. Drawing on ideas from Social Thinking®, CBT, mindfulness and assertiveness training this book develops games, skits and short plays which can be adapted to suit children and teenagers including those who are gifted, typical, and those with mild to moderate cognitive abilities. These activities will help participants become more assertive and flexible as well as improving confidence, focus and self-esteem. Social TheatreTM can be used in small groups, in class or throughout the school, as well as in group therapy sessions. It provides a new and inclusive way to teach social skills and collaborative learning and is especially useful for those with anxiety, ADHD and ASD.


Unscripted Learning

Unscripted Learning

Author: Carrie Lobman

Publisher:

Published: 2007-07

Total Pages: 216

ISBN-13:

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Improvisation is recognized internationally as an exciting tool to jumpstart learning. In this practical book, teachers will discover how to use improv throughout the K–8 curriculum to boost creativity and to develop a class into a finely tuned learning ensemble. Readers will learn how to use this revolutionary tool to teach literacy, math, social studies, and science...and have fun doing it! Taking group work in the classroom to the next level, this book features: Over 100 activities with step-by-step instructions appropriate for those with no prior experience as well as for seasoned performers. An index to help choose improv games according to age group, subject area, and level of difficulty. A framework for understanding the skills that are developed when children learn particular improv activities. Tips for how to extend the activities to acquire additional skills.


Book Synopsis Unscripted Learning by : Carrie Lobman

Download or read book Unscripted Learning written by Carrie Lobman and published by . This book was released on 2007-07 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Improvisation is recognized internationally as an exciting tool to jumpstart learning. In this practical book, teachers will discover how to use improv throughout the K–8 curriculum to boost creativity and to develop a class into a finely tuned learning ensemble. Readers will learn how to use this revolutionary tool to teach literacy, math, social studies, and science...and have fun doing it! Taking group work in the classroom to the next level, this book features: Over 100 activities with step-by-step instructions appropriate for those with no prior experience as well as for seasoned performers. An index to help choose improv games according to age group, subject area, and level of difficulty. A framework for understanding the skills that are developed when children learn particular improv activities. Tips for how to extend the activities to acquire additional skills.


Improv for Actors

Improv for Actors

Author: Dan Diggles

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2004-03-01

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 1581159412

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In this step-by-step guide, an actor and improvisational teacher brings his tested methods to the page to show how actors can take risks and gain spontaneity in all genres of scripted theater. Through 28 lessons—each of which includes warm-ups, points of concentration, and improvisation exercises—Improv for Actors provides insights into thinking and reacting with fluidity, exploring a character’s social status, using the voice and body as effective tools of storytelling, and more. Actors of all levels will soon be able to give a fresh, original approach to classic characters, create funnier performances in farce and comedy, and make dramatic characters richer and more believable.


Book Synopsis Improv for Actors by : Dan Diggles

Download or read book Improv for Actors written by Dan Diggles and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2004-03-01 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this step-by-step guide, an actor and improvisational teacher brings his tested methods to the page to show how actors can take risks and gain spontaneity in all genres of scripted theater. Through 28 lessons—each of which includes warm-ups, points of concentration, and improvisation exercises—Improv for Actors provides insights into thinking and reacting with fluidity, exploring a character’s social status, using the voice and body as effective tools of storytelling, and more. Actors of all levels will soon be able to give a fresh, original approach to classic characters, create funnier performances in farce and comedy, and make dramatic characters richer and more believable.


Enlivening Instruction with Drama and Improv

Enlivening Instruction with Drama and Improv

Author: Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2021-03-30

Total Pages: 242

ISBN-13: 100034732X

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This engaging and complete resource has everything you need to bring drama and theatre techniques into the ESL, EFL, or World Language Classroom. Are your students reluctant to speak out in class? Do they lack confidence in their language skills? The dynamic drama games in this book are the perfect catalyst to transform your students into engaged learners, and help them build confidence and language skills. The interactive theatre games and techniques are specifically designed for use in Second, Foreign, and World Language classrooms to empower students through meaningful, agentive language learning. With over 80 activities and games, and hundreds of extensions that can be catered to every level, this book provides teachers with clear, step-by-step instructions to teaching dramatic activities with L2 learners of all levels and backgrounds. The games and strategies in this book will enliven classrooms with communication that is creative, memorable, inspiring, and fun. Grounded in cutting-edge research, this book explains why teaching language through drama is effective and inspiring for teachers and students alike, directing readers to a wide array of resources and approaches to teaching language through theatre. You’ll also find guidance on leading drama games with language learners in a variety of online platforms, lesson planning models, and an example lesson plan for easy implementation in physical or virtual classroom spaces.


Book Synopsis Enlivening Instruction with Drama and Improv by : Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor

Download or read book Enlivening Instruction with Drama and Improv written by Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2021-03-30 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This engaging and complete resource has everything you need to bring drama and theatre techniques into the ESL, EFL, or World Language Classroom. Are your students reluctant to speak out in class? Do they lack confidence in their language skills? The dynamic drama games in this book are the perfect catalyst to transform your students into engaged learners, and help them build confidence and language skills. The interactive theatre games and techniques are specifically designed for use in Second, Foreign, and World Language classrooms to empower students through meaningful, agentive language learning. With over 80 activities and games, and hundreds of extensions that can be catered to every level, this book provides teachers with clear, step-by-step instructions to teaching dramatic activities with L2 learners of all levels and backgrounds. The games and strategies in this book will enliven classrooms with communication that is creative, memorable, inspiring, and fun. Grounded in cutting-edge research, this book explains why teaching language through drama is effective and inspiring for teachers and students alike, directing readers to a wide array of resources and approaches to teaching language through theatre. You’ll also find guidance on leading drama games with language learners in a variety of online platforms, lesson planning models, and an example lesson plan for easy implementation in physical or virtual classroom spaces.


The Improv Book

The Improv Book

Author: Alison Goldie

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2015-07-14

Total Pages: 202

ISBN-13: 1783196793

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A smart, witty and accessible guide to the rewarding and joyful practice of improvisation. Classic improv games and variations Telling stories and creating characters Using improv to make theatre and comedy, from monologues to full-scale productions An asset to students and teachers of improvisation in schools, drama schools, higher education and theatre groups, both professional and amateur. It will also be of benefit to organisations and individual readers who want to discover how improv stimulates creativity and confidence in all areas of life. The Improv Book opens up this exciting discipline to a wider audience.


Book Synopsis The Improv Book by : Alison Goldie

Download or read book The Improv Book written by Alison Goldie and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2015-07-14 with total page 202 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A smart, witty and accessible guide to the rewarding and joyful practice of improvisation. Classic improv games and variations Telling stories and creating characters Using improv to make theatre and comedy, from monologues to full-scale productions An asset to students and teachers of improvisation in schools, drama schools, higher education and theatre groups, both professional and amateur. It will also be of benefit to organisations and individual readers who want to discover how improv stimulates creativity and confidence in all areas of life. The Improv Book opens up this exciting discipline to a wider audience.


Structure and Improvisation in Creative Teaching

Structure and Improvisation in Creative Teaching

Author: R. Keith Sawyer

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2011-06-27

Total Pages: 319

ISBN-13: 1139500341

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With an increasing emphasis on creativity and innovation in the twenty-first century, teachers need to be creative professionals just as students must learn to be creative. And yet, schools are institutions with many important structures and guidelines that teachers must follow. Effective creative teaching strikes a delicate balance between structure and improvisation. The authors draw on studies of jazz, theater improvisation and dance improvisation to demonstrate that the most creative performers work within similar structures and guidelines. By looking to these creative genres, the book provides practical advice for teachers who wish to become more creative professionals.


Book Synopsis Structure and Improvisation in Creative Teaching by : R. Keith Sawyer

Download or read book Structure and Improvisation in Creative Teaching written by R. Keith Sawyer and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2011-06-27 with total page 319 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With an increasing emphasis on creativity and innovation in the twenty-first century, teachers need to be creative professionals just as students must learn to be creative. And yet, schools are institutions with many important structures and guidelines that teachers must follow. Effective creative teaching strikes a delicate balance between structure and improvisation. The authors draw on studies of jazz, theater improvisation and dance improvisation to demonstrate that the most creative performers work within similar structures and guidelines. By looking to these creative genres, the book provides practical advice for teachers who wish to become more creative professionals.


The Improv Comedy Musician

The Improv Comedy Musician

Author: Laura Hall

Publisher:

Published: 2016-07-08

Total Pages: 158

ISBN-13: 9780692753408

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Learn musical improv from Laura Hall of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" Are you a musician who performs with an improv comedy group? If so, this book is for you! You'll also greatly benefit if you are a music director, improv team leader, improv teacher or coach, improv actor or singer, or just a hardcore Whose Line fan. From the Foreword by Colin Mochrie: "On Whose Line, Laura supplies note-perfect music styles for Wayne Brady, Brad Sherwood, Chip Esten, Jeff Davis, et al, to shine on. But Laura's true genius is that she can make caterwaulers like me sound good and, more important, makes caterwaulers like me feel safe enough to try. "Laura Hall is a damn fine musician, period. There is no musical style she isn't well versed in. With Laura you get experience, knowledge, and a teacher you can trust. What more could you ask for? So get reading, start playing, and have more fun than you're ready for." "I'm a Laura Hall-ic!" -Chip Esten, Nashville, Whose Line Is It Anyway? "I know and highly respect both Laura and Bob. I can't think of a better pair to teach you the fundamentals of musical improv." -Bill Chott, actor and founder of the Improv Trick Laura Hall is an accomplished musician best known as the pianist on Whose Line Is It Anyway? She also stays busy recording film scores, writing musicals, leading improv workshops with her husband Rick, and performing with her Americana music trio, The Sweet Potatoes. Bob Baker is a prolific author, musician, artist and actor, as well as an improv teacher and performer. Through his books and workshops Bob teaches creative people of all kinds how to get exposure, connect with fans, and increase their incomes.


Book Synopsis The Improv Comedy Musician by : Laura Hall

Download or read book The Improv Comedy Musician written by Laura Hall and published by . This book was released on 2016-07-08 with total page 158 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn musical improv from Laura Hall of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" Are you a musician who performs with an improv comedy group? If so, this book is for you! You'll also greatly benefit if you are a music director, improv team leader, improv teacher or coach, improv actor or singer, or just a hardcore Whose Line fan. From the Foreword by Colin Mochrie: "On Whose Line, Laura supplies note-perfect music styles for Wayne Brady, Brad Sherwood, Chip Esten, Jeff Davis, et al, to shine on. But Laura's true genius is that she can make caterwaulers like me sound good and, more important, makes caterwaulers like me feel safe enough to try. "Laura Hall is a damn fine musician, period. There is no musical style she isn't well versed in. With Laura you get experience, knowledge, and a teacher you can trust. What more could you ask for? So get reading, start playing, and have more fun than you're ready for." "I'm a Laura Hall-ic!" -Chip Esten, Nashville, Whose Line Is It Anyway? "I know and highly respect both Laura and Bob. I can't think of a better pair to teach you the fundamentals of musical improv." -Bill Chott, actor and founder of the Improv Trick Laura Hall is an accomplished musician best known as the pianist on Whose Line Is It Anyway? She also stays busy recording film scores, writing musicals, leading improv workshops with her husband Rick, and performing with her Americana music trio, The Sweet Potatoes. Bob Baker is a prolific author, musician, artist and actor, as well as an improv teacher and performer. Through his books and workshops Bob teaches creative people of all kinds how to get exposure, connect with fans, and increase their incomes.