 I'm so excited to announce that “Suddenly Stardust: A Memoir (of sorts) About Fear, Freedom & Improv” is now available for purchase! I almost never rave about something I've written, but I'm absolutely in love with this book. And the advance praise has been so wonderful: Law Tarello, MFA, and faculty at The Second City, says, "Don't let her humble and even occasionally timid way fool you. Joanne Brokaw is a powerhouse theatrical improvisor. As a student she was willing to break out of her perceived comfort zone and on stage she used her considerable emotional range and life experience to expand the parameters of what her scene partners thought possible. Her reflections in this book are all at once insightful and revealing. If you have any desire to expand your horizons as a performer, Joanne's stories can certainly prepare you for what and who you might encounter." Austin Scott, from the House Improv Theater, Gainesville FL, calls it, "A fascinating memoir that recounts the transformation from beginner to capable improviser and the emotional growing pains that come with that metamorphosis" adding that "Suddenly Stardust is essential reading and earns its place on my bookshelf right between Truth in Comedy and the UCB Manual." Scott Baker, one half of the comedy improv team Isaacs and Baker, says, "Finally, someone who gets it! Improv isn't about being funny. It's about letting go of fear in all aspects of communication and your life. Joanne Brokaw really gets it and conveys it!" Veteran comedian Wendy Liebman calls "Suddenly Stardust" a "guide to life, showing how improv can act as a template for living fully with others. Improv can help us appreciate every single moment, be more creative, and remind us how stellar we are. Say Yes, I’ll get this book, And read it in one sitting, like I did. And then cherish it like I do." Carrie Anne Noble, author of the "The Mermaid's Sister" and "The Gold-Son", says, ""In Suddenly Stardust, Joanne Brokaw takes the reader backstage (and onstage) with her as she braves the challenging and terrifying world of improv. Her lessons learned will reverberate long with readers—and perhaps inspire them to say, “Yes, and” to purposeful, compassionate living a little more often." Comedian and storyteller Richard Hughson admits, "I was at first dismayed to see there were 142 pages, about improv for God's sake! But this book is not about improvising on stage. It's about improvising your way through life, complete with all doubts, fears, truths, failures, and successes. To anyone who is considering this - you will love this book." Roberta Gore, author of “Saving Grace”, says,"Brokaw reminds us in Suddenly Stardust that time spent studying whatever it is we happen to love--be it yoga or ceramics or surfing--will likely reap a harvest of fruits we never knew we planted. Yes, improv teaches us to be looser, more creative performers. But much more importantly, it teaches us to listen, and give, and take, and color outside the lines." The ebook and paperback editions are available right now, and a hardcover edition should be available soon. For more information and links to the book at Amazon, check out the Books page or visit amazon.com/author/joannebrokaw. "Suddenly Stardust" is published by WordCrafts Press. |