Performing Arts

The Invisible Actor presents the captivating and unique methods of the distinguished Japanese actor and director, Yoshi Oida. While a member of Peter Brook’s theatre company in Paris, Yoshi Oida developed a masterful approach to acting that combined the oriental tradition of supreme and studied control with the Western performer’s need to characterise and expose depths of emotion.

Written with Lorna Marshall, Yoshi Oida explains that once the audience becomes openly aware of the actor’s method and becomes too conscious of the actor’s artistry, the wonder of performance dies. The audience must never see the actor but only his or her performance. Throughout Lorna Marshall provides contextual commentary on Yoshi Oida’s work and methods.

In a new foreword to accompany the Bloomsbury Revelations edition, Yoshi Oida revisits the questions that have informed his career as an actor and explores how his skilful approach to acting has shaped the wider contours of his life.

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This revolutionary book is more than just a dry theoretical study of acting techniques. Against a background of Apartheid South Africa it tells the story – both humorous and moving – of how teacher/director Brian Astbury – founder of South Africa’s legendary Space Theatre – and hundreds of actors and acting students both in production and at Britain’s top drama schools developed a set of exercises over two decades to help actors overcome problems not addressed in other methods.

These teach how to be ‘in the moment’;
to gain access to the inexhaustible storehouse of the imagination;
to access, integrate and properly use the emotions of the character;
to overcome difficulties with learning lines;
to recreate performance without conscious thought.

“An idiosyncratic, challenging and practical guide to the craft of acting, crammed with anecdotes and humorous insights”
Richard E. Grant Actor/director/writer (Withnail and I, The Player, Wah-Wah and many others)

“A truly inspirational teacher”
Julie Hesmondhalgh Actor (Hayley, Coronation Street)

“A unique figure in British theatre. Provocative, controversial, doggedly inspiring. He has been the pivotal teacher, enabler and mentor for me and countless others.
Rufus Norris Director (Festen, Cabaret, Market Boy, Tintin, Vernon God Little, Blood Wedding)

“I cannot recommend it highly enough”
Stephen Moyer Actor (True Blood, NY-LON, Prince Valiant, the RSC)

“A conversational (almost chatty) love story, a tale of a theatre company’s struggle against Apartheid, an irreverent look at life”
Alexander Siddig Actor/director (Deep Space Nine, Syriana, Un Homme Perdu, 24, Primeval, Hannibal)

“Brian Astbury was, without a doubt, the biggest influence on me. His teachings are still what I go to in trouble”
Jason Flemyng Actor (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The Quatermass Experiment, Drum, the RSC)

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Beginning with what every first-year acting student faces in class and ending with what leading professional actors must achieve every night on the three stages of the Royal National Theatre, Patsy Rodenburg’s celebrated work as one of the world’s foremost voice and acting coaches is fully revealed in this thoughtful and inspirational book about the process of acting. Through a seven-step process, she takes the actor through an intensive voice and speech workshop tackling the vexing problems faced in rehearsal and on stage: breathing and relaxation; vocal range and power, communication with other actors and the audience; integrating movement, singing and speaking; deciphering and animating a text; adjusting voice to different size stages and auditoria; working in mediums beyond the stage; sustaining a performance through an entire evening and a long run and identifying and overcoming the countless potential problems that face every performer who works in front of an audience.”The Actor Speaks is a stimulating read and an invaluable reference for all actors …a landmark book” (The Stage)

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By the author of the best-selling Contemporary Monologues for Young Actors!

Following the smash success of Contemporary Monologues for Young Actors, award-winning NYC playwright Douglas M. Parker has created a new volume of unique monologues that allows young actors to explore a broad range of characters, emotions and situations.

Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors offers 52 fun, accessible and inventive monologues that will tap into every inch of an actor’s creativity. Featuring appealing, instantly involving pieces ranging from the comedic to the heartfelt, every monologue is written in contemporary and accessible language. Created specifically for actors and acting students ages 7-14 and for the teachers, directors and acting coaches who work with them..

These monologues feature:

• A broad range of unique circumstances and emotions: comedic, inspirational, heartfelt, lonely, curious, etc.
• Gender-neutral, so every monologue could be performed by a boy or a girl
• Emotional arcs and strong outcomes to challenge your actors and keep audiences engaged
• Modern day topics with contemporary language that really relate to kids today
• Perfect for auditions, as short performance pieces and for use in the classroom

Here are two sample monologues from the book:

FLYING

There’s a scene in Peter Pan where Peter teaches the kids to fly. And the way he does it is, he tells them to think their happiest thoughts. And they do it, and they just start flying. I mean, it tells you right in the book how to do it! So I thought – if they can fly, I bet I can too. So I just started thinking about all the things that made me the happiest. Like the day we picked up my new dog, Rex, from the kennel. And the day I beat my dad at chess – which is also known in my house as the day my dad let me beat him at chess. Or the time my sister gave me a birthday present, when it wasn’t even my birthday. Or when my mom says she loves me. And by the time I was finished, even though I was still lying in my bed, I was flying so high I thought I’d never touch the ground again. And I could look down and see everyone and everything in my life and they were all looking up and smiling and waving back at me . . . I don’t know if there really is a Peter Pan or an island filled with lost boys and pirates and Indians, but it doesn’t matter. Because I know one thing for sure . . . I know how to fly.

PAIL OF WATER

(Your character is either Jack or Jill from the well-known nursery rhyme.)

You make one mistake and people never forget it. Seriously. I mean, yeah, Jack [or Jill] and me went up the hill to fetch a pail of water. And, yes, one of us fell down and broke his crown and yeah, yeah, the other one came tumbling after. And no – we did not bring back any water. We did not succeed in our mission. And, if I was to be totally honest, we also lost the bucket. But come on. It wasn’t like we went up the hill to save the planet from an alien invasion. There wasn’t a baby up there about to be eaten by a bear. It was water. We fell down. We didn’t come back with a pail of water. Someone else got up out of their chair, got a bucket, climbed up the hill and fetched a pail of water. Big deal. Life will go on. And just to set the record straight, I am perfectly capable of fetching water. I personally have fetched hundreds of pails of water, both before that incident and after. So has Jack [or Jill]. It was one time. Sheesh. Maybe it’s time we all moved on.

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“I have felt there was nothing for me to do except to devote my labour and energy almost exclusively to the study of Creative Nature…I have acquired a sum of experience in the course of long years of work and this is what I have sought to share with you.” (Stanislavski)Here in concise form is what Stanislavski said about acting, alphabetically arranged to aid students, professionals and lay people interested in the stage craft. These collected short statements on a variety of subjects cannot replace the full expression of Stanislavski’s ideas and discoveries in his other books, but they will serve to refresh the reader’s memory and pinpoint what Stanislavski has to offer enquiring minds both in and out of the theatre.

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The profession of directing is barely a century old. On Directing considers the position of the director in theater and performance today. What is a director? How do they begin work on a play or performance? What methods are used in rehearsal? Is the direct

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The Actors Business Plan is a self-directed practical guide for actors graduating from formal training programs, as well as for those already in the business whose careers need to move ahead more successfully. Using the familiar language of acting training, the book offers a method for the achievement of dreams through a five-year life and career plan giving positive steps to develop a happy life as an actor and as a person. It assists performers to flourish using the same kind of business/career planning that is a necessary part of life for entrepreneurs and business people. This introduction to the acting industry provides essential knowledge not only for how the business actually works, but also describes what casting directors, agents, and managers do, demystifies the role of unions, discusses how much things cost, and offers advice on branding and marketing strategies. It differs from other such handbooks in that it addresses the everyday issues of life, money, and jobs that so frequently destroy an actors career before it is even begun. While addressing NYC and LA, the guide also gives a regional breakdown for those actors who may wish to begin careers or to settle in other cities. It is loaded with personal stories, and interviews with actors, casting directors, and agents from throughout the US. The Actors Business Plan is the answer to the common complaint by students that they were not taught how to negotiate the show business world while at school. It is the perfect antidote for this problem and can easily fit into a ten or a thirteen-week class syllabus. Offering support as a personal career coach, empowering the actor to take concrete steps towards their life and career dreams, The Actors Business Plan: A Career Guide for the Acting Life is a must-have book for actors who are determined to be a part of the professional world .

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Let’s face it, every day at rehearsal is hilarious.

If you’ve ever rehearsed for a play, you know how kooky rehearsals can get. And you know how much you’ll miss it when the show’s over. This book is the perfect way to record theatre memories and funny stories of things that happened at rehearsals.

This book features:

• Over 100 pages to record 200+ memories
• Space to record date, what show you were rehearsing for, and where
• Handy 6″ x 9″ dimensions
• Sturdy paperback cover

This book is a perfect gift for the high school thespian, theatre nerd, or stage actor in your life. Scroll up and click “add to cart” now!

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Older and Wiser: A Guide to Starting Your Acting Career After 50 is a comprehensive guidebook for individuals who are interested in pursuing an acting career later in life. The book offers practical advice, insights, and encouragement to help readers overcome age-related challenges and build a successful acting career.

The book begins by discussing the mindset and attitude needed to succeed as an actor at any age. It encourages readers to let go of self-doubt and limiting beliefs, and instead focus on their strengths and passion for acting.

The guidebook then delves into the technical aspects of acting, such as the Meisner and Stanislavski techniques, which are explained in layman’s terms. The book also covers the practical aspects of building a career, including finding auditions, creating a portfolio, and networking with industry professionals.

The book emphasizes the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of rejection and setbacks. It also provides guidance on how to maintain physical and mental well-being to sustain a career in the industry.

Overall, “Older and Wiser” is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to pursue their passion for acting later in life. It provides a roadmap for building a fulfilling career and encourages readers to embrace their unique talents and abilities.

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Funny Parody Notebook for Actors

If you are looking for a funny gift for a friend or co-worker with a sense of humor, then this notebook will do the trick.
Ideal for colleagues or good mates, this lined notebook is sure to give them a laugh. And, it is also a really rather useful lined notebook for musings, jottings, journaling, and creative procrastination.

Features include:

Size 5.5″x8.5″ / 14 x 21.5 cm (similar to A5)
140 lined pages
Good quality crisp white paper
Great for journaling or to-do lists
Appealing typographic cover design
Matt finish cover
A parody classic style book cover

This Notebook makes a great joke Secret Santa gift, stocking stuffer, or anytime gift for good friends.
Order one today!

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The Invisible Actor presents the captivating and unique methods of the distinguished Japanese actor and director, Yoshi Oida. While a member of Peter Brook’s theatre company in Paris, Yoshi Oida developed a masterful approach to acting that combined the oriental tradition of supreme and studied control with the Western performer’s need to characterise and expose depths of emotion. Written with Lorna Marshall, Yoshi Oida explains that once the audience becomes openly aware of the actor’s method and becomes too conscious of the actor’s artistry, the wonder of performance dies. The audience must never see the actor but only his or her performance. Throughout Lorna Marshall provides contextual commentary on Yoshi Oida’s work and methods. In a new foreword to accompany the Bloomsbury Revelations edition, Yoshi Oida revisits the questions that have informed his career as an actor and explores how his skilful approach to acting has shaped the wider contours of his life.

Read more