An Actor Rehearses: What to Do When and Why

By David Hlavsa

With a commonsense approach, An Actor Rehearses takes performers through the rehearsal process and explains exactly what to do when. The actor's process is explained simply, sequentially, and in detail, starting from the period before rehearsals begin and continuing through first read-through, blocking rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and performances. Packed with exercises that are useful in the classroom and in the rehearsal studio, An Actor Rehearses is an indispensable guide to the rehearsal process that makes building a character easier and more rewarding for both actor and audience. And because author David Hlavsa's emphasis is on relating acting to life, performers learn to make a remarkable connection between becoming a better actor and becoming a better person: more compassionate, more vital, more alive. -Clear, practical, usable advice for actors at every level -Unique focus: learning to become a better actor means learning to become a better person -Huge potential audience

Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, publishes a broad range of books on the visual and performing arts, with emphasis on the business of art. Our titles cover subjects such as graphic design, theater, branding, fine art, photography, interior design, writing, acting, film, how to start careers, business and legal forms, business practices, and more. While we don't aspire to publish a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are deeply committed to quality books that help creative professionals succeed and thrive. We often publish in areas overlooked by other publishers and welcome the author whose expertise can help our audience of readers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1581154623
• ISBN13: 9781581154627
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Allworth
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Rehearsal for Life

David's book is a technical overview of the actor's technique and rehearsal repetoire. That being said, there is good reason to think that anyone who has an appreciation of drama, both in theatre and in life, may find his book illuminating. If we are actors on the stage of life, as the Bard has it, we may all of us improve our interpersonal communication style and develop a compassionate and listening ear by a creative reading of the ideas in this book. It is not too great a stretch to see a connections between the intensity of dramatic dialogue and the drama inherent in real life; furthermore, were one to see one's role in the drama as a creative interaction, a new freedom may be found in consciously choosing what role you wish to play, rather than allow others to cast you in a role of their choosing. From this one may extrapolate a sociological and psychological theory that can be empowering. A book for more than the thespian, methinks.

Reads like a classic

I've been dabbling in acting for almost 30 years and have been inspired by several of the great teaching books, including Keith Johnstone's "Impro," Jerzy Grotowski's "Toward a Poor Theatre," Eugenio Barba's "Beyond the Floating Islands," and works by Stanislawski and a handful of others. What makes all these books great is the writers' candid awareness that theatre, and acting, is a concentrated, distilled, focused projection of the most human of human life. All these writers speak to me, not because they're writing about acting, but because they are revealing something to me about myself. "An Actor Rehearses" is destined to be counted in this elite company of books that become classics. Yes, this is an eminently practical book for any actor or director. (If I had read this in my 20's I might have been tempted to do more than just dabble.) But it is also a book for all of us who care to "rehearse" for the biggest performance of all - our own lives. I suspect it will be selling well a few decades from now.

Practical advice

I am a former student of David Hlavsa's and just recently finished reading his book. It is a wonderful compilation of his lessons and excercises, put down in an easy to read format. The excercises he describes are practical, effective, and easy to implement. I have used all of them throughout my time working with David, and continue to. The acting process he puts forth has helped me grow immesurably both on and off the stage. If you are looking for an acting book, this is the one to buy.

Filled with inspiring ideas and useful advice

Calling all directors and actors who want make the best use of rehearsal time. You will find yourself highlighting passages, marking the margins, and nodding your head in agreement. Hlavasa offers clear insights into the inner and outer workings of the craft.

Much more ....

I found Mr. Hlavsa's book to be full of great ideas for everything I do. I write, speak, train, coach and run an institute of personal development and training. Preparing for a theater production seems to be much like preparing to have a great life. I think anyone can benefit from the advice and observations in this book.