Introduces different theater training methodologies in order to guide young actors in finding the right training style for them.
This guide for the beginning actor takes a hardnosed, practical approach. The author, an actor, acting professor and coach, begins with a blanket answer to the question Should I become an actor? The answer is No. Acting is a most difficult profession, without guarantees but promising instability and often. She says the only reason for anyone to become an actor is that he is completely unable to focus on any other pursuit. She explains why acting training is important, and then walks the reader through an overview of each major type of acting training. She begins with the Stanislavsky System (the foundation), and reviews the training methods of Lee Strasberg, Practical Aesthetics, Michael Chekhov, Sanford Meisner, Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, Viewpoints, Suzuki, Viola Spolin, and Jerzy Grotowski. One chapter discusses vocal training and another, physical training. In the last chapter the author answers frequently asked student questions. The book also contains a list of degree-granting training programs. Annotation ©2014 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
(Limelight). "Should I go to a school and get more training in acting, or should I just go out there and 'do it'?" A Field Guide to Actor Training will help you answer this question! The book is designed to be an introduction to various theater training methodologies, highlighting their basic tenets and comparing and contrasting each system of training and rehearsal. The goal is to provide a one-stop-shopping kind of resource for student/beginning actors who are seeking training through private studios or graduate schools and who crave guidance in selecting training that is right for them. Starting with the big question of "Why is actor training important " and moving on to overviews of the major acting methodologies, vocal training, physical actor training, and advice on how to find the right kind of training for each individual, A Field Guide to Actor Training is an essential resource for the student actor.
