Introduction to Acting

by Kahan, Stanley; Rugg, Kenneth W.

• ISBN13: 9780205270040
• ISBN10: 0205270042
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-10-08
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

For any one who has ever dreamed of making it big on stageE on TVE in the moviesE a clear, straightforward, uncluttered approach to beginning acting.This important work includes thorough coverage of the different philosophies of acting and how they can be used to the best advantage, how to prepare a role and analyze a character, how to move on stage, what to expect at an audition, how to avoid or overcome stage fright, and much more. Over fifty scenes and monologues add depth of meaning to the concepts covered and provide you with meaningful practice opportunities. The specific challenges of TV and radio acting are also covered in two chapters. Throughout this wonderful book are quotes, anecdotes, and personal reflections from dozens of actresses and actors to accentuate the activities and lessons. This new edition also includes more improvisation exercises and more scenes and monologues.Beginning-level actors.A Longwood Professional Book.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii	(2)
List of Scenes	ix
Chapter 1 An Overview: Some Questions Answered	1	(19)
Why Act?	2	(1)
Is There an Ideal Actor?	3	(6)
Can Actors Be Classified?	9	(6)
What Should the Actor Know?	15	(2)
What Is the "Illusion of the First Time"?	17	(2)
Questions and Exercises	19	(1)
Chapter 2 Early Acting and Acting Theories	20	(28)
The First Actors	21	(1)
What the Ancients Tell Us	21	(3)
The Decline of the Theatre	24	(1)
The Commedia dell' Arte	25	(4)
Shakespeare and His Actors	29	(4)
The Seventeenth Century	33	(2)
David Garrick: An Actor Speaks	35	(3)
The Great Debate--Emotion vs. Reason	38	(4)
Short Notes on the Heritage of Some Notable Actors	42	(4)
More Actors and Actresses	46	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	47	(1)
Chapter 3 Stanislavski and Beyond	48	(17)
The "Method"	51	(3)
After Stanislavski	54	(4)
The Director and Freedom for the Actor	58	(2)
Short Notes on the Heritage of Some Notable Actors	60	(2)
More Actors and Actresses	62	(2)
Suggestions for Further Reading	64	(1)
Chapter 4 The Body and Stage Movement	65	(33)
Holly Harbinger
How the Body Is Organized	67	(6)
Tension and Relaxation	73	(2)
The Body in Action	75	(5)
Warming Up	80	(17)
Suggestions for Further Reading	97	(1)
Chapter 5 Voice and the Actor	98	(26)
One Voice or Many?	99	(2)
Factors of a Good Stage Voice	101	(1)
Vocal Production	102	(8)
Projection	110	(1)
Getting the Most from the Dialogue	111	(7)
Vocal Exercises	118	(4)
Suggestions for Further Reading	122	(2)
Chapter 6 Getting Around on the Stage	124	(28)
The Stage and Stage Areas	125	(2)
Stage Positions and the Actor	127	(1)
Stage Movement and the Audience	127	(10)
Using Movement	137	(4)
Specialized Stage Problems	141	(7)
Listening	148	(2)
Exercises	150	(2)
Chapter 7 Using Improvisation	152	(11)
Improvisations for Larger Groups	153	(2)
Improvisations for One Actor	155	(2)
Improvisations for Two or More Actors	157	(4)
Last-Line Improvisations	161	(2)
Chapter 8 Combating Stage Fright	163	(10)
What Is Stage Fright?	164	(1)
Some Suggested Causes	164	(3)
Do Experienced Actors Have Stage Fright?	167	(2)
What Can Be Done about It?	169	(3)
Suggestions for Further Reading	172	(1)
Chapter 9 Auditioning and Preparing a Role	173	(71)
The Audition Process	173	(5)
Basic Steps in Developing a Role	178	(14)
Finding One's Own Approach	192	(3)
Exercises	195	(1)
Ambiguous Dialogue	195	(9)
Suggestions for Further Reading	204	(1)
Monologues	205	(11)
Scenes	216	(28)
Chapter 10 Putting the Role Onstage	244	(55)
Rehearsal Guidelines	245	(2)
The Three Vs of Good Acting	247	(4)
Concentration	251	(2)
Getting into the Role	253	(3)
Judging the Actor's Work	256	(4)
Scenes	260	(39)
Chapter 11 Style and Other Problems	299	(40)
Comedy and Farce	300	(4)
Tragedy	304	(2)
Period Plays in General	306	(1)
Shakespearean Plays	307	(5)
Sustained Speeches	312	(3)
Central Staging	315	(6)
Suggestions for Further Reading	321	(2)
Scenes	323	(16)
Chapter 12 Acting for the Camera	339	(18)
Shooting the Television Drama	340	(1)
Television and the Theatre	341	(1)
Television Acting	342	(7)
Subtlety and Intimacy	349	(4)
Action and Reaction	353	(2)
Reviewing the Rules	355	(1)
Exercises	355	(1)
Suggestion for Further Reading	356	(1)
A Glossary of Theatre Terms	357	(10)
Index	367