Description
Book SynopsisHow does an actor bring a script to life? The actor must know how to read a script, break it down, and mine all of its clues in order to make the most effective choices. The Anatomy of a Choice: An Actor''s Guide to Text Analysis offers the actor a concrete method for approaching a script. This guide details a simple process to discover and define a character''s scene and super-objective, obstacle, beats, and tactics. It includes practical information on how to build a character, how best to use rehearsal time, and what to do when nothing is working.
Trade ReviewA concise and engaging approach to the art of acting. Specific, entertaining and accessible to the young artist. -- Kay Kostopoulos, lecturer, Stanford University
I've had the pleasure of working with Maura as an actor, teacher and director and suffice it to say, she is a consummate theater artist. Her new book is an excellent guide to acting for all levels that offer a comprehensive vocabulary along with the necessary tools in order to mine the most out of one's craft. In it, she offers an organic approach to acting that is thorough, humble, and most of all, accessible. She inspires, elates, and educates, all from her first-hand professional experience both as an actor and a dedicated theater educator. -- Ken Sonkin, adjunct professor, University of San Francisco
There are many approaches to the study of acting. Vaughn's approach strikes me as incisive, thorough, thoughtful and eminently useful-especially for the younger actor. Vaughn puts to rest the notion that all the beginning student needs is desire and a bit of talent. Her anatomical chart is full of detail. -- Ted Walch, director of theater, Harvard-Westlake School
Maura Vaughn's The Anatomy of a Choice: An Actor's Guide to Text Analysis is an indispensable handbook for any young actor starting out on their long journey to become a theatre artist. Come to that, it's a most useful tool for any actor already on that journey who should, when lost in rehearsal or performance, quickly refer to her concise, well-written advice. -- Jeremy Geidt, senior actor, American Repertory Theatre, lecturer, Harvard College
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 The First Word Chapter 4 Reading the Play Part 5 Reading the Play Part 6 First Reading - Defining the Story Part 7 Second Reading - Defining the Event Part 8 Third Reading - Defining Character Part 9 Character Interview Worksheet Chapter 10 What Do I Want? Part 11 The Super-Objective Part 12 The Scene Objective Chapter 13 What is in My Way? Chapter 14 What Do I Do to Get What I Want? Part 15 Beats Part 16 Tactics Part 17 Pivotal Point Chapter 18 Creating the World of the Play Part 19 The Magic If Part 20 The Moment Before and the Moment After Part 21 The Inner Monologue and Subtext Part 22 Endowment Part 23 Stage Business and Secondary Activity Part 24 Secret Chapter 25 Into the Rehearsal Part 26 Bringing Choices to Life Part 27 Tools for Rehearsal Part 28 Rehearsal Journal Part 29 Troubleshooting - When Nothing is Working Part 30 The Final Word Chapter 31 Appendix: The Anatomy of a Scene Chapter 32 Acknowledgements Chapter 33 Notes Chapter 34 Bibliography Chapter 35 Index
