Thou Shalt Not Block. Hmmm. A glib intro to an interesting question. Can religious texts teach improvisers a thing or two? New York performer and author Matthew Stillman thinks so and has put it in print with his book, A Funny Thing Happened at Mount Sinai, an exploration of the ten commandments and their application to improv ethos.
TFPC EP15- Matthew Stillman: Improv and Spiritual Codes -The 10 Commandments
R/Click and Save As to download. L/Click to play in browser. Run time 44.00
Matthew Stillman has been actively studying and performing long form improvisational comedy in New York City since 1996. He runs a creativity consultancy – stillmansays.com and coaches improv and has loads of other balls in the air.
LINKS
Matt’s book available here and website here
Discuss the book and theory on Twitter
Em’s blog and prose here
The books Matt recommends;
Truth in Comedy – Del Close, Free Play – Steven Nachminoff, Process: An Improviser’s Journey, Improvising Better – Jimmy Carrane, Liz Allen, The Art of Chicago Improv – Rob Kozlowski, Improvise- Mick Napier, Group Improvisation- Peter Gwinn, Improv Wisdom – Patricia Madson
