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The first book to attempt to define and analyse the nature of ensemble theatre with case studies and contributions from companies and practitioners around the globe.

Dealing with the cutting edge of contemporary theatre. This book presents the results of a unique investigation, carried out in conjunction with the Royal National Theatre Studio, into the nature of performance itself.

Kelly McEvenue teaches the Alexander Technique, a method of physical relaxation that reduces tension throughout the body. This guide to the technique is specially adapted for actors to promote efficient use of the body. The book includes a series of step-by-step warm-ups and exercises.

A collection of acting exercises from around the world. There are voice warm-ups and bodywork through to interacting with space and creating characters all drawing on influences from Japanese Butoh to African dance, Shakespearean verse and children's games.

Brings together the many diverse strands of Craig's theories, many of which influenced such individuals as Stanislavski, Reinhardt, Meyerhold and Brecht.

This study of the work of the European choreographer and pioneer of dance notation, Rudolf Laban, examines the many strands of his thinking and its application. It attempts to convey the full implications of his ideas about movement, not only for dancers but also for actors and directors of drama.

Stand-Up! is the first book to both analyse the background of stand-up comedy and take us inside the world of being a solo comedian

In this volume, Litz Pisk examines the emotional and psychological impulses that motivate an actor in their role on the stage. Her theory is illuminated by her comments on specific texts and the relationship between meaning and movement. It is also a practical manual for keeping the body fit.

About Acting - formerly titled The Complete About Acting - has become indispensable classic for students and professional actors alike. It is a simple, clear and inspiring guide to the difficult art and craft of performing on stage, film, television and radio.

Stanislavski was the foremost influence on the "Method" school of acting, as developed by Lee Strasberg. Here in concise form is what Stanislavski himself said about acting, aimed at students, experienced theatre people and laymen interested in stage craft.

How has the work and legacy of Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed been interpreted and practised around the world? What does it look like in different working contexts? This book provides an accessible introduction to the political and artistic principles Boal's techniques are founded on, tracking exemplary practice from around the globe.Using detailed contemporary case histories, theatre artist, scholar and activist Ali Campbell demonstrates how the underlying principles of Boal's practice are today enacted in the work of - among others - an urban network (Theatre of the Oppressed NYC); a rural and developmental theatre organisation (Jana Sanskriti, West Bengal); Boal's original company CTO Rio (Brazil); and a theatre-based group led by learning-disabled adults in the UK (The Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company). The book concludes with a series of conversations between Campbell and international exponents of the work, envisioning futures for the Theatre of the Oppressed in the shifting political, educational and artistic contexts of the twenty-first century.

This book offers a wealth of resources, critical overviews and detailed analysis of Ivo van Hove's internationally acclaimed work as the foremost director of theatre, opera and musicals in our time. Stunning production photos capture the power of van Hove's directorial vision, his innovative use of theatrical spaces, and the arresting stage images that have made his productions so popular among audiences worldwide over the last 30 years. Van Hove's own contribution to the book, which includes a foreword, interview and his director's notes for some of his most popular shows, makes this book a unique resource for students, scholars and for his fans across the different art forms in which he works. An informative introduction provides an overview of van Hove's unique approach to directing, while five sections, individually curated by experts in the respective fields of Shakespeare, classical theatre, modern theatre, opera, musicals, film, and international festival curatorship, offer readers a combination of critical insight and short excerpts by van Hove's collaborators, the actors in the ensemble companies van Hove works with in Amsterdam and New York, and by arts critics and reviewers.

Seventy percent of a conversation is conveyed through body language while only 10 percent is the meaning of the words. Here, an expert RADA trainer shows how to use our body so that it will speak more effectively and how to recognize and lose unwanted physical inhibitions.

"Many high school theatre teachers do not have access to intensive voice instruction. Rena's book will fill that void. It is instructive, concise, easy to understand, and most importantly for the high school student, fun. All high school theatre programs should have Voice and the Young Actor as a textbook." Kim Moore, High School Teacher

The Stanislavski "system" is still the only comprehensive method of actor training we posses. This text traces the growth of the "system" from its roots in the tradition of Russian realism, and charts the various phases it went through until the final emergence of the Method of Physical Action.

"He taught us to be artists" Steven Berkoff. Jacques Lecoq, one of the most inspirational theatre teachers of our age and founder of the International Theatre School, Paris shares his philosophy of performance, improvization, masks, movement and gesture.

Between 1935 and 1938, Stanislavski did his final work in Moscow with a group of 11 young actors and directors trained in his special "system". This volume contains a full translation of verbatim transcriptions of Stanislavski's notes and practical exercises from these sessions.

Actor Movement with DVD is an essential resource to help explore existing movement techniques with actors, enabling them to interpret and understand these techniques, and ultimately to fully own them. It combats issues that actors may have struggled with and allows the actor to question and critique the existing practices of movement.

Musical Theatre Song is a handbook for musical theatre performers, providing them with the wide-ranging skill set they need for success in today's competitive musical theatre environment. Breaking down the process into knowing how to select your song material based upon your individuality and how to prepare and perform it in a manner that best highlights your attributes, Stephen Purdy provides a succinct and personalized trajectory toward presentation, taking the reader through a series of challenges that is designed to evoke original, personal and vibrant song performances. Written by renowned Broadway and West End vocal and audition coach Stephen Purdy, Musical Theatre Song is a must-have guide for all performers who are looking to succeed in the musical theatre industry.

A classic work for actors and students on understanding and playing Shakespeare. In the first half of the book, Barton attempts an objective analysis of how Shakespeare's text actually works; in the second half he concentrates on the more subjective areas such as irony and ambiguity, passion and coolness.

A thorough study of contemporary dramaturgical practices which draws on many examples from the work of leading theatre practitioners from the UK, Europe and North America. It maps the various ways in which a dramaturg may work in the theatre-making process and provides a theoretical framework to aid the reader in their own practice.

Dance composition is an important part of dance education because it is the discipline that translates ideas into dances. Revised, redesigned and expanded, and now with a new DVD, this seminal book explores essential guidelines and thus contributes to a greater understanding of dance composition as a discipline.

Speaking with Skill marks a fundamental change in the pedagogy of speech training for actors and speakers. The method employed in this book is already and increasingly being used by instructors on major actor training programs in the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland and the UK.