Ensemble!

Praise

“In this refreshing outing, Katzman, a professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico, and actor O’Connor (Life Unscripted) discuss how improv acting techniques can help people forge authentic and meaningful relationships. Those looking for a prompt to get out of their shell a bit should take a look.” 
—Publishers Weekly 

“For me, improvisation . . . [has] been a way of life—a set of rules on which I’ve patterned my social interactions and my relationships. I am happy [for] a book that shows not just the funny part of this amazing craft, but the life-affirming aspects as well.”
—WAYNE BRADY, actor, improviser, and star of Whose Line Is It Anyway?

“Wow, great book! Ensemble! is magic! A must-read for anybody who has been lonely and is looking for ways to connect.”
—DAVID FEINBERG, head of Google Health

“I heartily endorse [this book] for all who are human and especially for those who have forgotten what it means to be human.”
—GLEN O. GABBARD, MD, clinical professor of psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine

“In this time of increasing divide and feelings of apartness, Ensemble! is a gift, guiding us to reach toward others and helping us to authentically build and deepen our relationships.”
— ROBIN KISSELL, MD, associate professor of psychiatry at UCLA and director of the Mentalizing
Initiative

“Buy this book. Better yet, buy two and share it with someone in your ensembles.”
— BARBARA TINT, PhD, professor of conflict resolution, president of the Applied Improvisation Network, and improviser

“Katzman and O’Connor have wonderfully laid out the convergence of improvisation and depth psychology in a way that is accessible and applicable to modern life.”
—DAVID STEINBERG, comedian

“Brilliantly written, this book . . . will show you a path to happiness; it will change your life. It has already changed mine.”
—GEORGE S. EVERLY, Jr., PhD, professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and
author of Stronger 
 
“Ensemble! reminds me that I don’t have to suffer alone in uncertainty trying to ‘hold it all together’ when I can confidently step into my ensemble with those who’ve ‘got my back’ so WE can hold it all together!”
—JOHN-MICHAEL MAURY, actor, improvisor, and cocreator of UC San Diego School of Medicine’s Medical Improv Elective

“What a life-giving cure for the loneliness blues!”
—TED DESMAISONS, author of Playful Mindfulness and cohost of the podcast Monster Baby

“Katzman and O’Connor show us . . . how to ensemble in ways that shape and complete us without losing ourselves as individuals. An empowering gift.”
—BOB STOCKING, master instructor at EnlivenWork, Inc.

“These guys get to the heart of the matter with a sense of play and vulnerability that is supremely readable.”
—PETER FELSMAN, PhD, MSW, postdoctoral associate at The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stonybrook University