Jeff Katzman M.D. - Ensemble!: Using the Power of Improv and Play to Forge Connections in a Lonely World

Throughout my forty-five years as a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, I have always noted the overlap between the immersion in a character necessary for acting and the immersion in a patient necessary to be a therapist. Moreover, improvisation is at the root of both therapy and acting. Reading this moving work of two splendidly creative individuals made me throw off my pandemic funk and rejoice in the fact that there are others like me who wish to live life to the fullest in play and in work. This book is an extraordinary contribution, published at a time when we need it more than ever. I heartily endorse it 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

I am not a real psychiatrist but I have played one on TV. I am, however, a real improviser and have been meditating for decades. Katzman and OConnor have wonderfully laid out the convergence of improvisation and depth psychology in a way that is accessible and applicable to modern life. Life and comedy are about shared experiences and connection. This book helps us to find how we all can be more mindful and engage with each other.

David Steinberg, comedian

For me, improvisation hasnt just been an art form or a bunch of theatre games; its been a way of lifea set of rules on which Ive patterned my social interactions and my relationships, both work and personal. Its the backbone that Ive applied to every aspect of my craft, and it helped take an introverted eighteen-year-old and turn him into someone who could not just step on stage with confidence, but could look someone in the eye on the street with confidence. I met Dan OConnor when I was eighteen or nineteen when I first joined Theatresports, and in reading this book, all the memories with Dan and my friends came rushing backI was filled with such joy. I am happy he has cowritten 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?

Have you ever been in a crowd and yet felt lonely? Do you live in a vibrant city yet feel lonely? Do you want to get more out of life by expanding your interpersonal and experiential horizons? If so this book is for you!

George S. Everly, Jr., PhD, professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and author of Stronger and The Johns Hopkins Guide to Psychological First Aid

Wow, great book! Ensemble! is magic! Imagine that a book about improv theatre could make your life substantially better. This is exactly what Katzman and OConnor have given us with this creative, fun, and effective masterpiece. A must-read for anybody who has been lonely and is looking for ways to connect.

David Feinberg, head of Google Health

Katzman and OConnor have crafted a magical manual that will guide you in moving from a secluded, isolation-cave of desperate separation into the light and love of community. Ensemble! encourages us to forge deep connections with others through compassionate curiosity, self-love, and awareness. It reminds me that I dont have to suffer alone in uncertainty trying to hold it all together when I can confidently step into my ensemble with those whove got my back so WE can hold it all together!

John-Michael Maury, actor, improvisor, and cocreator and facilitator of UC San Diego School of Medicine's Medical Improv Elective

In Ensemble!, Dan OConnor and Dr. Jeff Katzman let us behind the curtain to learn what makes for good improvand great groups. This fun-to-read recipe includes a measure of mindful introspection, a scoop of psychological safety, and a healthy pinch of play. What a life-giving cure for the loneliness blues!

Ted DesMaisons, author of Playful Mindfulness and cohost with Lisa Rowland of the podcast Monster Baby

For centuries the paradox that we must lose ourselves in order to truly find ourselves has been the stuff of esoteric contemplation. Not anymore. Drawing upon teachings from improv and psychiatry, Katzman and OConnor show us clearly and practically how to ensemble in ways that shape and complete us without losing ourselves as individuals. Their book is an empowering gift.

Bob Stocking, master instructor at EnlivenWork, Inc.

A timely and resourceful book for our growing, silent epidemic of loneliness. Katzman and O'Connor clearly know their subject and demonstrate the benefits of improv. They provide stories that give insight into the interpersonal challenges in our hectic lives, and their pragmatic, thought-provoking tools can assist the reader in creating their own internal and external ensemblesplaces of support and felt security. This is a must-read for clinicians who are considering the benefits of improv to help their patients connect and develop satisfying and meaningful relationships with themselves and others.

Alex J. Reed, PsyD, MPH, assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine

Katzman and OConnor bring a deeply human approach to treating the modern loneliness epidemic with principles of improvisational theater. These guys get to the heart of the matter with a sense of play and vulnerability that is supremely readable. Look out for expert analyses of relatable characters and easy-to-try exercises ripe for exploration.

Peter Felsman, PhD, MSW, postdoctoral associate at The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stonybrook University

Ensemble! is a magical combination of theory, story, practical tools, and direct application as we consider the role of loneliness and connection in our lives. The integration of principles from depth psychology and improvisational theatre allow us to see how our choices in every moment can root to the core of our humanity. Within family, work, and community arenas, our need for meaningful ways to connect with each other is more important than ever. Through this book, we see that learning to ensemble is an intentional choice supported by specific skills. It is critically necessary for anyone wanting to strengthen the social fabric of their worldsfundamentally, all of us. 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, global facilitator, consultant, and improviser

Theyve done it again. In this wonderfully readable and informative sequel to Life Unscripted, Jeff Katzman and Dan OConnor address our lonelinesslong an epidemic in our society and now compounded by the pandemic. They teach us about the roots of loneliness and the risk of conforming to it, and then offer ideas and tools founded in improvisational theater and supported by psychology to help us connect to ourselves and othersto ensemble. Through playful exercises and illustrative stories, the authors inspire and embolden us to listen to our selves, to risk vulnerability, to be present and curious, to respond not react, and to hear the offers of others and dare to say yes, and. 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

Copyright 2021 by Jeff Katzman and Dan OConnor. All rights reserved. No portion of this book, except for brief review, may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the written permission of the publisher. For information contact North Atlantic Books.