Improv Nonsense

Will Hines' Improv Nonsense: All the Posts is a compiled 'manifesto' derived from Hines' influential blog of the same name. Published in 2020, the book reflect more than a decade of Hines' deep-dives into the technique, philosophy, and 'insider' logic of the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) style of improvisation. As a veteran performer and teacher, Hines write from the 'front lines' of the LA and NY improv scenes, providing a voice that is both technically rigorous and refreshingly humble.

The volume is organized as a series of short, high-impact essays that address the specific 'bottlenecks' of the improv craft. This include 'The First Unusual Thing,' 'Mapping,' 'The Game of the Scene,' and 'Emotional Commitment.' Unlike a traditional textbook, Improv Nonsense is a collection of 'troubleshooting' guides for the intermediate and advanced performer. Hines look at the 'psychology of the improviser': including the struggle with the 'internal critic' and the 'ego-traps' of the comedy world. The book is particularly noted for its honesty about the 'failures' of the form, providing clear diagnostics for why scenes 'die' and how to find the path back to the funny. He emphasize the 'Chicago-to-NY' lineage of the form, connectng the UCB method back to the foundational work of Del Close and Charna Halpern.

The text is written in a direct, conversational, and characteristically humorous voice. It include insights into the 'business' of improv: including auditions, troupe dynamics, and the pursuit of a creative life. Improv Nonsense serve as a vital companion for any performer looking to refine their technical mastery and to find a more sane and sustainable relationship with their art.

Improv Nonsense has been welcomed as one of the most honest and technically useful books in the improv world. Reviewers often praise Will Hines for his 'no-nonsense' approach and for his willingness to address the 'hard' parts of the art form with humor and grace. The book's 'field-tested' advice is frequently cited as its greatest strength. It is regarded as an essential 'toolbox' for any performer committed to the technical mastery of long-form comedy and the UCB approach.