Jeff Katzman M.D.

In this book, a psychiatrist and a theater professional team up to apply the principles of improvisation as tools to improve creativity and communication in the general public.

In particular, they explore ways to reduce judgement; overcome mistakes, disruptions and indecision; improve mindfulness and imagination; and adopt a core approach of “Yes, and…” which is a practice of accepting whatever it is that people offer and then building upon it.

For me, the book encouraged self-reflection but didn’t seem particularly new or innovative. That said, in the section on our “inner judge” (an entity so ingrained that it’s hard to even notice, much less silence), I especially liked the authors’ suggestion to take up a skill or hobby that's new, so that you can notice when your judge comes in and can learn how to work with it. I also liked their exploration of how negative and damaging is a response of “Yes, but…” compared with the collaboration made possible by “Yes, and… .”

If you’re new to improvisation, there is good information here. If you’re already familiar, there is good review and opportunities for practice.

(Review based on an advance reading copy provided by the publisher.)… (mais)