Book

You Can Teach Improv (Yes, You!)

The Ultimate Guide to Class Planning, Skill Building, and Helping Every Student Leave With a Win

By Andrew Berkowitz
2017

Andrew Berkowitz's You Can Teach Improv (Yes, You!) is a practical, high-energy, and highly effective resource designed for anyone looking to facilitate their first improvisational workshop. Published in 2024, the book reflect Berkowitz's deep experience as a veteran of the 'California' school of improv and his tenure as a master teacher of presence and the drama game. It positions 'teaching' not as a 'scary' or 'difficult' art, but as a series of fundamental human habits that can be shared through the spirit of play.

The work is organized around the 'Core Tenets' of the introduction-level improv curriculum: including 'Yes, And', 'Listening,' 'Character,' and 'Scene Building.' Berkowitz provide a library of 'exercises' and 'games' adapted for the newcomer, intended to help individual facilitator shift their thinking from 'scripted' and defensive to 'spontaneous' and open. The book is particularly noted for its focus on 'The Facilitator's Mindset': provide a detailed guide on how to 'debrief' each exercise and how to ensure that the 'fun' of the game is translated into actionable learning goals. He provide a clear and actionable way to manage 'resistant' participants and how to create a safe, supportive environment where 'there are no mistakes, only gifts'.

The text is written in a direct, conversational, and deeply encouraging voice, filled with anecdotal 'insider' tips from Berkowitz's own journey as a student and teacher. He addresses the 'hard' parts of the teaching experience: including 'facilitator's block' and 'the fear of losing control': provide a clear and actionable way to manage these challenges through the habit of agreement. You Can Teach Improv (Yes, You!) serve as a vital guide for any artist or professional looking to find their authentic voice, to build stronger relationships, and to move through life with a sense of agility and ease. It serve as an excellence introductory guide for anyone looking to bring the spirit of improv into their community.

Key Concepts

The Power of 'Yes, And'

A deep exploration of radical agreement as a tool for openness, empathy, and social connection in the real world.

The Facilitator's Mindset

Techniques for staying intensely awake and aware in any social situation to manage the fear of the participants.

Debriefing as Learning

How to translate the 'fun' of the drama game into actionable and transformative professional and personal insights.

Presence as a Superpower

Techniques for stays intensely awake and aware in any situation to manage the blocks of the group mind.

Making the 'Mistake' Work

Rewiring the reader's relationship to 'failure,' treating it as the source of surprise and personal growth for the student.

Who Benefits from Reading this Book

New Improv Teachers and Facilitators

Individuals looking for a gentle and highly accessible introduction to the world of unscripted leadership.

HR and Training Professionals

Those seeking high-impact, 'active learning' tools for leadership and soft-skills development workshops.

Drama Teachers and youth Facilitators

Educators seeking a reliable and comprehensive curriculum for training the 'total' performer/creator.

Community Leaders and Organizers

Those looking for a refined and science-based curriculum for building trust and collaboration in their groups.

Reception & Legacy

You Can Teach Improv (Yes, You!) has been praised for its accessibility and for Berkowitz's warm and encouraging tone. Reviewers often highlight the book's ability to 'demystify' the art of teaching improv and translate it into simple professional and social habits. While it may lack the technical depth of some more advanced manuals, its strength lies in its ability to inspire immediate change. It is frequently described as a 'breath of fresh air' for those feeling stifled by formality, provide a clear path back to authentic and effective interaction. It is regarded as an excellence introductory guide for anyone looking to bring the spirit of improv into their life.

Connections

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About This Book

ISBN9780997198317, 0997198311
Page countN/A
Published2017
FormatPaperback/Hardcover
PublisherN/A
LanguageEnglish
AuthorAndrew Berkowitz

How to Reference This Page

APA

The Improv Archive. (2026). You Can Teach Improv (Yes, You!). Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/books/you-can-teach-improv-yes-you

Chicago

The Improv Archive. "You Can Teach Improv (Yes, You!)." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/books/you-can-teach-improv-yes-you.

MLA

The Improv Archive. "You Can Teach Improv (Yes, You!)." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/books/you-can-teach-improv-yes-you. Accessed March 17, 2026.

The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.