|
| |
Some books we like to recommend...
[GO THEATREBOOKS IN
TORONTO TO GET THESE!] No, you can't learn to act from a
book.. [A good thing since we haven't yet finished our book about the method
we've developed here at Sears & Switzer.] You'll have to take our classes to
get our messages clearly but you should review some of the essential
texts.
-
ESSENTIAL TORONTO "BIZ" BOOKS:
- Every actor should own theatrebooks LATEST version of GETTING
ORGANIZED.
- A critical tool for Toronto actors is The AGENTS GUIDE.
- Your head will be straighter after reading The ACTOR'S
SURVIVAL KIT by Messaline and Newhouse.
Craft of Acting noteworthy choices:
- Great TORONTO book by esteemed casting director Marsha
Chesley called YOU GOT THE PART! It's a SMART, fun read and very,
very practical. Highly recommended for working actors anywhere but
especially if you are trying to figure out Toronto!
- How to STOP ACTING by Harold Guskin. OK A VERY HOT
ACTING COACH WHO'S WORKED WITH THE BIG STARS SHARES HIS SECRETS... what's
not to like! We suggest it, especially for trained performers. [It can be a
bit confusing for beginners... like reading about sex before you've done
it!]
- We like A Practical Handbook for the Actor by
Melissa Bruder, based on the work of the Atlantic Theatre Company workshops
a whole lot!
- An interesting overview of almost every way of working
there is can be found in Acting Skills for Life, by Ron Cameron. [Ron
includes our work on more advanced character approaches based on Jung, also
published in Theatrum.]
- Every actor should read the BOOK BY DAVID MAMET... True
& False. Thought provoking and challenging... infuriating for some
acting teachers but we found it very affirming for our work at S&S!
- Audition by Michael Shurtleff is terrific too...
Sensible, actor focused, real technique.
- Meisner On Acting by Sanford Meisner and Dennis
Longwell... not a serious substitute for an acting class on Meisner but a
worthwhile read.
- An Actor Prepares [or almost anything else by
Stanislavski, despite Mr. Mamet’s comments]
- Respect for Acting AND Challenge for the actor by Uta Hagen, pretty important
sources.
- There's a fine text on camera technique that we're
recommending often these days.... try Patrick Tucker's Secrets of Screen
Acting.
- ED HOOKS... anything he's written will lead you
into new depths. A fine writer and mentor.
- And if you are into comedy, you must read the book, "Truth in Comedy", by Del
Close.
- Do you love voice-work? Try Susan Blu's book "Word of
Mouth."
- Our friend [and Stratford Festival Alexander coach] Kelly
McEvenue has written a warm. read-able and useful book on the Alexander
Technique: "The Actor and the Alexander Technique" by Kelly R. McEvenue
- TELL US ABOUT A BOOK FOR ACTORS THAT YOU LOVED AND WE'LL
POST IT HERE... [it's not Amazon.com but it's well-read.]
| |
|
