Free Downloads Improvisation At The Speed Of Life: The TJ And Dave Book
T.J. and David are internationally known, award-winning, master improvisers from Chicago's legendary scene. This in-depth look at the techniques, principles, theory and ideas behind what they do is both authoritative and entertaining. Since their early years playing the iO (formerly Improv Olympic) and the Second City mainstage theater (where David won a Joseph Jefferson award for best actor in a revue), TJ and Dave have been performing for over fifty years combined - fifteen as a team. David worked with improvisation guru Del Close, in development of the The Harold, the preeminent longform theatrical structure, and both are multi-award winning actors. Steven Colbert says, "One of these guys is the best improviser in the world. And the other one is better." Forward by Amy Sedaris. Other endoresements: The New York Times says they are "the premier improv duo working today," while Time Out New York wrote of their long-running TJ and Dave show: "BRILLIANT, HEARTBREAKING, MIND-BLOWING, INSPIRING! The best 50 minutes of improv comedy we've ever seen ....DRINK THEIR KOOL-AID."
Paperback: 225 pages
Publisher: Solo Roma, Inc (April 1, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0977309339
ISBN-13: 978-0977309337
Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.6 x 8.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #85,443 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #43 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Theater > Stagecraft #118 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Comedy #743 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Satire
What an amazing book. TJDave are two guys who love improv- have really worked hone their craft in this particular path of the art- They don't consider themselves gurus or Masters – they don't proselytize - or say that this way it's better than our way… But to me they are two guys who are shining a lantern down a path that I want to go down and making it easier for me to see my way and eventually make my own choices on how I may or may not stay on that exact path.Pam Victor performed an improv miracle by wrangling these two great guys into putting their thoughts into this wonderful book! Her introductions, comments and conversations with her co- authors lends a cohesive thread that makes the book so enjoyable and readable.The multiple points of view that are in this book show that there are many paths – and many types of training that can lead us to improv- and that none of those ways are right or wrong, but they led these two guys to where they are today. And the world of Improv is all the richer because of what these two are doing!So yeah, I kind of liked the book.
I'm halfway through the book, which for me, is a feat in and of itself. I'm not a strong reader and it takes me weeks to complete a book. But, I'm pouring through this one. Enjoying every sentence and paragraph. If you are an improviser, put this in your arsenal. If you are not an improviser and are looking for a book that discusses how to be a better listener, supporter, and how to invest yourself into something or someone besides yourself, then you will want to read this. A great resource for the improv community!!
If you've ever wondered how these guys do their magic, you should read it. A must for anyone doing two person. Unlike any other improv book. Very insightful on the psychological aspect of improv. Refreshing because they don't adhere to a lot of the principles other books teach. Reads like a good novel. And it's as long as one. Great stuff. Smart.
Finished " Improvisation At The Speed Of Life: The TJ and Dave Book" and I would say it's a must have for any improvisers book shelf. As with any style of improvising not everything will speak to everyone but it's definitely on par with Improvise By Mick Napier for me which is still one of the best and still a book I consistently read whenever I just want to poke my brain to get out of my comfort zone / remember to not get too comfortable with my work. The TJ and Dave Book will have a similar place in my life and improv. Glad to have read it.- Jeff QuintanaArtistic DirectorVillain Theaterwww.villaintheater.com
A must read for anyone who is interested in improv beyond "Whose Line Is It Anyway." I've been improvising for over 25 years and have read dozens of books on improv. This is one of the very best I've ever read. It's a book that I know that I'll go back to throughout the years and read it over and over just to find another nugget I missed or forgot about. Just about the best $20 I ever spent on improv. If you're serious about improv you'll love it.
I studied with the great Viola Spolin for two years back in the 1980s and taught her work in the UK for many years. I also had the incredible good luck to improvise with the members of 'Theatre Machine', Keith Johnstone's original performance team. I can say that, without question, apart from Spolin's books, and those of the equally important Johnstone himself: 'Impro' and 'Impro for Storytellers', this book, "Improvisation at the Speed of Life" is the best book on the subject I've ever read. There are only a couple of others that I think are even remotely close. TJ and Dave's co-author, Pam Victor (no mean improviser herself), did a magnificent job in sitting these guys down to reflect on their process and asking them brilliant and insightful questions about the artform. If you care anything about Improv/Impro/Improvisational Theatre or whatever else you call it, whether you practice short or long form, you need to go out immediately and buy this book and read it from cover to cover and then read it all over again and go out an practice it. I've never seen them in person, but I'm a great fan of their movie "Trust Us, This is All Made Up".Their book is the distillation of all the improv wisdom these two guys manifest so generously in performance. Their philosophy of doing only "the next little thing" would, if adopted by all improvisers everywhere, change the world for the better. Oh yes, and bring about world peace. No kidding.
A live performance by TJ and Dave means wit and wordplay, integrity and dexterity, absurdity, and crystalline moments of connection between the characters so riveting that you. are. in. the. moment. If you go further, and seek to understand the craft of improv, then you have been waiting for this very book. Co-authored with improviser and teacher Pam Victor, there are philosophical and pragmatic gems to be found in each chapter. I appreciated getting to know the history of TJ and David, learning how they developed concepts such as 'heat and weight,' and joining Pam as she asked questions, bantered with the guys, and reflected on her own practice. At the end of the day, absorbing their philosophical insights is bound to make you more present and responsive - on stage and off.
Speed Reading: The Ultimate Speed Reading Course to Increase Your Reading Speed (speed reading techniques, speed reading for beginners, speed reading training) (Genius Guide: Step By Step Book 3) Improvisation at the Speed of Life: The TJ and Dave Book Dave Barry CD Collection: Dave Barry Is Not Taking This Sitting Down, Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway, Boogers Are My Beat Approaching the Standards, Vol. 1: Bb (Jazz Improvisation) (Jazz Improvisation Series) Asap Implementation at the Speed of Business: Implementation at the Speed of Business Speed Duel: The Inside Story of the Land Speed Record in the Sixties Live Right and Find Happiness (Although Beer is Much Faster): Life Lessons from Dave Barry Carolina Clay: The Life and Legend of the Slave Potter Dave Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University: 13 Life-Changing Lessons on 14 CDs + 2 Bonus CDs [2007] Approaching the Standards, Vol 1: Book & CD (Jazz Improvisation Series) Approaching the Standards, Vol 1: Rhythm Section / Conductor, Book & CD (Jazz Improvisation Series) Approaching the Standards, Vol 1: Bass Clef, Book & CD (Jazz Improvisation Series) Approaching the Standards, Vol 2: Rhythm Section / Conductor, Book & CD (Jazz Improvisation Series) Jazz Practice Ideas with Your Real Book: For Beginner & Intermediate Jazz Musicians (Jazz & Improvisation Series) The Complete Electric Bass Player - Book 3: Electric Bass Improvisation Improvisation for the Theater: A Handbook of Teaching and Directing Techniques (Drama and Performance Studies) Trombone: Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble a Comprehensive Method for Jazz Style and Improvisation Inside Tap: Technique and Improvisation for Today's Tap Dancer Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble: A Comprehensive Method for Jazz Style and Improvisation, Alto Saxaphone
