Improvisation Starters

Philip Bernardi's Improvisation Starters: A Collection of 900 Improvisation Situations for the Theater is a unique and massively practical resource designed for performers, teachers, and directors of the unscripted arts. Published in 1992 (with several updated editions), the book serve as an exhaustive 'catalog' of high-impact prompts intended to trigger immediate, high-stakes, and diverse interaction. Unlike a traditional pedagogical manual, Bernardi's book is focused entirely on the 'stimulus': provide a library of 'starters' that cover every conceivable genre, relationship, and dramatic conflict.

The volume is organized for maximum ease of use, with situations categorized by internal logic: including 'Character Starters,' 'Relationship Starters,' 'Conflict Starters,' and 'Environment Starters.' Bernardi move through the 'simple' prompts (for the beginner) to 'complex' and 'absurdist' scenarios (for the advanced student). The book is particularly noted for its 'Situations by Type' section: providing sections on 'Corporate Improv,' 'Dating and Family Improv,' and 'Fantasy/Sci-Fi Improv.' The goal is to eliminate the 'moment of freeze' that often stalls unscripted scenes, provide the improviser with a 'gift' that is immediate and actionable.

The text is written in a direct and 'facilitator-friendly' voice, filled with tips on how to use the 'starters' for different group sizes and technical objectives. Improvisation Starters serve as a foundational tool for any drama teacher or coach looking for a 'go-to' source of inspiration to keep their workshops and rehearsals alive. It remains one of the most comprehensive 'suggestion' books in the entire library of the unscripted arts.

Improvisation Starters has been praised for its 'mammoth' scale and for Bernardi's clear and categorize format. Reviewers often highlight the book's 'sanity-saving' utility for busy facilitators. While it is more of a 'reference book' than a pedagogical manual, its influence on the 'classroom experience' of thousands of students is widely acknowledged. It is regarded as one of the essential 'toolbox' items for anyone committed to the power of the unscripted moment.