Long Form Improvisation and American Comedy The Harold

Comedy has undergone a seismic shift over the past quarter century: from star powered stand-up comics to an ensemble-fueled style marked by support, trust, and collaborative creativity. This shift is mainly due to the long form improvisational theatre structure known as the Harold. The form's philosophies serve as the bedrock for the majority of the most significant comedic performers, writers, and directors of the past quarter-century who are transforming the way peformers and audiences make, view, and interpret comedy. This book examines the development of the Harold and the ways in which it has helped transform American comedy, examining the tensions and evolutions that led to the Harold's creation at ImprovOlympic (now iO) and following it through its use in contemporary comedic filmmaking.

Matt Fotis is Assistant Professor of Theatre at Albright College, USA. His work has appeared in Theatre Journal, Theatre Topics, and The Journal of American Drama and Theatre, among others. He is a published and award-winning playwright as well.

1. Introduction
2. Before the Harold: How Did We Get Here?
3. The Training Wheels Harold
4. The Flexible Harold
5. Reactions, Transformations, and Combinations
6. Improv beyond the Theatre: The Harold's Influence on Television and Film