With the art and words of Viola Spolin, Keith Johnstone, and others who have published seminal works on improvisation, it would seem unnecessary for any more books on the subject to emerge. Then Kenn Adams comes along with a remarkable new take that codifies techniques to create the most difficult and rarely successful form: the instant full-length play, known as "long-form improvisation."
This book is not for beginners. Adams is speaking to extremely well trained improvisational actors and directors who are ready to move on from silly sketch work, in which bursts of laughter cue the rim shot or blackout, and commit to this most intricate theatrical endeavor. Because he's a theatre teacher and practitioner, Adams' vocabulary and explanations are remarkably clear and apprehensible. His method is almost scientific in its step-by-step approach.
While remaining true to the accepted improvisational rules, such as "endowment," "saying yes," and "accepting an offer," Adams elaborates upon these concepts to explain how to create sharp characterizations and long through-lines that add up to a well-made play. Each chapter also builds upon the previous one with increasing intensity as he uses well-accepted concepts of dramatic analysis to outline the organizational necessities in creating the play's structure. His descriptions of long-form improvisational technique often come across as constricting, but then Adams elucidates with fascinating examples that show how this structure is the perfect spine upon which seasoned improvisers can hang an infinite variety of characters and situations, all of which lead to satisfying storytelling.
Adams is extremely convincing that the steps he outlines will create a well-paced, fulfilling theatrical experience. Even those not interested in long-form improvisation might benefit from the 30 fascinating exercises he includes. The only omission of note is a more practical chapter on how to go from class exercises or rehearsals to performance. Perhaps Adams, directing his book to the seasoned improviser, feels his target audience doesn't need this step, but it would have been helpful nevertheless.
Allworth Press, 2007, paperback, 149 pages, $16.95.