Acting One/Acting Two

by Cohen, Robert

• ISBN13: 9780073288543
• ISBN10: 0073288543
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-01-17
• Publisher: McGraw Hill

Summary

The new, fifth edition of Robert Cohen'sActing One, the text used to teach acting on more campuses than any other, has now been combined for the first time with hisActing Two,(the second edition of his previously-titledAdvanced Acting). Together,Acting One/Acting Twoprovides acomprehensive and fully integrated system of all acting, from the most realistic to the most stylized. Part One (Acting One) covers basic skills such as talking, listening, tactical interplay, physicalizing, building scenes, and making powerful acting choices. Part Two (Acting Two) provides a series of exercises that encourage the student actor's self-extension into radically different styles (historical, literary, fantastical) and characterizations; then coaches the student through scenework in a variety of historical periods (Greek, Commedia, Elizabethan, Moliere, Restoration, Belle Epoque), as well as modern hyper-realistic theatrical forms such as the theatres of alienation and the absurd, and exemplary recent dramas by Tony Kushner, Margaret Edson, August Wilson and Doug Wright.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acting One

Introduction

Preparation For Acting

Preparing to Act Relaxation

Relaxation

Trust

Exuberance

Discipline

Criticism

A Playful Attitude

Freedom

Preparation

What Is Acting?

Pledge Your Allegiance to a Flag

The Actor's Approach

Goal and Obstacle Fundamental Principle

Reaching

Reaching for Goals

Overcoming an Obstacle

Self-Consciousness

Doing vs. Being

Projection

Resonating

Resonating (A Continuation)

Goals

Acting with the 'Other' The Other

Making Your Partner Smile

Interactive Dynamics

Vulnerability

Discovery

The Character

Tactics

Using Tactics

One Two Three Four Five Six Seven

Monologues

Inventing the Other

Beginning to Act Contentless Scene

Contentless Scene I

Intensifiers

Intensifying

Physicalizers

Varying Locale or Action

Contentless Scene II

Tactics Punishment and Reward

Playing Tactics

Frighten Your Partner

Building Intensity

Try to Make Your Partner Cry

Movement and Contact

Encourage Your Partner

Alternating Tactics

Mixing Tactics

The Middle Ranges

Eliminating the Extremes

Expectations Expecting Victory

Playing Bored

Positive Goals

Enthusiasm

Try the Impossible

Eye Contact

Tactics and Expectations

GOTE A Basic Method

"Get Your Character's GOTE"

The GOTEsheet

The Actor's Task

Preparing a Role Finding Your Role

Finding Your "Character"

Editing a Scene

Memorization Methods

Cues

Studying the Part

The Gentleman Caller I

Rehearsing Rehearsals

Undirected Rehearsals

Rehearsal Alternatives

The Gentleman Caller II

Staging the Scene Stage Directions

Creating the Locale

Movement and Stage Business

Interesting Positions

Reaching the Audience

Setting the Stage

Choices The Need for Choices

Good Choices

Bold Choices

Performing Stage Fright

Classroom Performance

Play for Results--In the Other Character!

Evaluation and Improvement Helpful Criticism

Reworking

Scene Presentation

The Actor's Instrument

The Actor's Voice Breathing

Breathing from the Abdomen

Phonation: Making Sounds

Sounding

Resonance

Exploring Resonance

Pitch

Exploring Your Pitch Range

A Stageworthy Voice

Speaking with Resonance

Stage Speech Good Diction

Speech Sounds

Vowels

Repeating Syllables

Consonants

Speeches

Using Your Voice Liberation

Rude Chants

Rude Cheering

Fancy Talk

Address a Group

Purposefulness

Adding Purpose

The Actor's Body Agility

Fast Warm-Up

Alignment

Improving Alignment

Walking

Sixteen Walks

Walk and Talk

Sitting and Standing

Walk, Talk, Sit

Velocity: Accelerating, Decelerating, and Constant

Acceleration/Deceleration

Counterpoise

Contraposto

Contraction/Extension

The Dynamics of Effort

Distinct Movements

To Be or Not to Be

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