The Working Actor's Toolkit: N/A

By Jean Schiffman

How does an actor handle the challenge of performing under heavy make-up? What are the special requirements of acting in a docudrama? How does a nonsmoking actor tackle smoking for a role? How do actors deal with the director from hell? And what about nudity? Jean Schiffman knows. In The Working Actor's Toolkit , she amasses the information she garnered after years of interviewing professional actors, master teachers, and directors. Each of her chapters explores a clearly defined craft topic. Because there is neither one way to act nor one approach that works for every actor, each topic is discussed from a variety of perspectives-in often humorous ways. Together, Schiffman's chapters offer a nontraditional set of techniques to fill the gaps left by more academic acting primers. Her approach is eccentric, her range of subjects eclectic, her bottom line indisputable: there are certain truths about the elements of acting-the need to dig deep and personalize, to be specific, to avoid cliche, to take risks, and to remember that, in most cases, less is more. For beginning, mid-career, or longtime professional actors-or devoted fans who are curious about "How do they do it?"-Schiffman provides lively and provocative prose, but most of all practical ways for actors to hone their craft, solve unexpected acting problems, and make themselves marketable.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0325005508
• ISBN13: 9780325005508
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Heinemann Drama
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 19 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher