"The most comprehensive, meticulously-researched study of long form ever written...Required Reading." -PeopleAndChairs
"Among the top theoretical works on improvisation." - Theatre Journal
Long Form Improvisation & American Comedy: The Harold
The Harold is widely regarded as the foundation of long form improv. First developed in the late 1960’s by the San Francisco group the Committee, work-shopped by Del Close in the 1970’s, and transformed into a repeatable structure by Close and Charna Halpern at ImprovOlympic (now iO) in the 1980’s, the Harold reinvented the possibilities of what could be done with improv on stage.
This book tells the story of the Harold - its development and evolution, as well as exploring the many ways that it has been used both within iO and in the greater improv community. Furthermore, the book illustrates the ways in which the Harold has helped transform American comedy by reshaping it to follow the principles and philosophy of the Harold - resulting in comedy that is based on the notion of support, collaboration, trust and connections.
In short, Long Form Improvisation & American Comedy: The Harold examines the evolution and influence of the Harold.
This book tells the story of the Harold - its development and evolution, as well as exploring the many ways that it has been used both within iO and in the greater improv community. Furthermore, the book illustrates the ways in which the Harold has helped transform American comedy by reshaping it to follow the principles and philosophy of the Harold - resulting in comedy that is based on the notion of support, collaboration, trust and connections.
In short, Long Form Improvisation & American Comedy: The Harold examines the evolution and influence of the Harold.
Reviews
"I remember my late partner, Del Close, telling me years ago that someday our work in long form improvisation would change the face of improvisational comedy. And while we struggled for years to convince anyone that improvisation was an art form unto itself, he promised that someday someone would study our work and its importance to the world of comedy. Del was always right. Matt Fotis has done an incredible job of looking at the rich history that I am so proud to be a part of. The depth of his study is unbelievable; he covers the history of improvisation and the work itself. I don't know how he did it - but he got it right. Somewhere above, Del is jumping in the air and clicking his heels together. Del and I brought the Harold to the stage, but Matt Fotis is bringing the Harold to the rest of the world." - Charna Halpern, iO Theatre
"Long Form Improvisation and American Comedy: The Harold is an excellent addition to not only books about improvisation, but theatre books in general...[it] deserves inclusion among top improv books...Among the top theoretical works on improvisation." -Theatre Journal
"Long Form Improvisation and American Comedy: The Harold may be the most important improv book you’ve never heard of. It’s definitely the most comprehensive, meticulously-researched study of long form ever written...Required Reading." -PeopleAndChairs
"Matt Fotis has done a great job researching in detail exactly what Long Form is, how it started, and (most importantly) the impact it has had on American Comedy, which is substantial." -Jeanne Leep, Professor of Theatre Arts, Edgewood College, USA and author of Theatrical Improvisation: Short Form, Long Form, and Sketch-Based Improv
"Long Form Improvisation and American Comedy: The Harold is an excellent addition to not only books about improvisation, but theatre books in general...[it] deserves inclusion among top improv books...Among the top theoretical works on improvisation." -Theatre Journal
"Long Form Improvisation and American Comedy: The Harold may be the most important improv book you’ve never heard of. It’s definitely the most comprehensive, meticulously-researched study of long form ever written...Required Reading." -PeopleAndChairs
"Matt Fotis has done a great job researching in detail exactly what Long Form is, how it started, and (most importantly) the impact it has had on American Comedy, which is substantial." -Jeanne Leep, Professor of Theatre Arts, Edgewood College, USA and author of Theatrical Improvisation: Short Form, Long Form, and Sketch-Based Improv
