Introduction to the Alexander Technique: A Practical Guide for Actors

by Bill Connington, Bill Connington (Editor)

Overview

Introduction to the Alexander Technique, part of the brand-new Acting Essentials series, is the first textbook about the Alexander Technique written specially for undergraduates. This eight-week program can be taught over the course of half a semester, a full semester, or dipped into as needed to address students' issues with physicality, movement, breathing, voice and performance habits.

The Alexander Technique has been a vital part of training for performers since the early 20th century. It is a core part of the curriculum at most acting conservatories and in many BFA programs. Sometimes considered purely a movement discipline, the Alexander Technique in fact takes into consideration the entire person-mind, body, voice, emotions, and imagination. Introduction to the Alexander Technique addresses the student's self as a whole and is suitable for beginning acting students in any academic setting, including those who take performance classes as an elective. The book also includes more than 150 practical, easy-to-follow exercises that help students reduce tension and improve their alignment, flexibility, and poise.

The textbook is supported by a range of online videos demonstrating key exercises described throughout the book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350052956
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/23/2020
Series:	Acting Essentials
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Bill Connington is a Lecturer in Acting at the Yale School of Drama, USA. He has taught at the Juilliard School, New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, the Mannes School of Music, and the Actors Studio Drama School. He is co-author of The Alexander Technique with the late Judith Leibowitz and the author of Physical Expression on Stage and Screen: Using the Alexander Technique to Create Unforgettable Performances (Methuen Drama, 2014). The former chairman of the board of the American Center for the Alexander Technique, he is also an award-winning actor and playwright. His play Zombie, based on the novella by Joyce Carol Oates, was performed in New York and made into a short film. Most recently, he wrote and acted in two independent films, Love, Repeat and Poughkeepsie Is For Lovers. He is a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. www.billconnington.com

Table of Contents

Foreword: To the Young Who Want To Walton Wilson xii

Series Introduction xiv

Acknowledgments xvi

About the Exercises xvii

Introduction 1

1 Your Body 5

Sensory Awareness and a "Good Actor's Body" 6

The Central Coordinating System 7

Tension Habits 8

Allowing for Change 9

Definition of the Alexander Process 10

Intention, Tension, and Context 12

The Use of the Self and Alexander Directions 13

Exercises Part 1 15

Exercises Part 2 23

Primary Exercise 25

2 Breathing 27

Breath Awareness 28

Breathing Is Functioning 29

Letting Go and Allowing for Flow 31

Why Is Process Important? 31

Intention Affects Your Breath 33

Exercises 36

Primary Exercise 44

3 Your Voice 45

Physicality and Your Voice 46

Exploring How Physicality Affects the Voice 47

Staying with Yourself 49

Constructive Listening and Observing 50

Vocal Authenticity Influences Acting Authenticity 51

Exercises 52

Primary Exercise 59

4 Your Movement 61

Body Communication 62

The Startle Response and Neuromuscular Reeducation 65

Overconcentration and Expanded Awareness 67

Exercises 69

Primary Exercise 76

5 Mental and Physical Resistance 78

Start a Creative Support Group 79

Meeting Resistance 79

Fear and Anxiety 81

Stress in the Body 82

Procrastination 83

Exercises 84

Primary Exercise 90

6 The Mind-Body Connection 92

Emergence of the Mind-Body Concept 93

Practical Application of the Mind-Body Concept 93

Applying the Mind-Body Concept to Acting 93

Tension and the Mind-Body Connection 94

Being Present and the Mind-Body Connection 95

Process Versus Results 97

The Alexander Process and Strengthening the Mind-Body Connection 97

Writing, Trying Hard, and Trying Soft 98

Your Self, Inside and Out 99

Exercises 100

Primary Exercise 107

7 Classes and Rehearsals 109

Classes 109

Rehearsals 114

A Word about Auditions 116

Exercises 117

Primary Exercise 123

8 Performance 124

Anxiety and Performance 124

The Character's Physical Reality 125

Preparation and Performance 126

Physical Preparation 127

Mental Preparation 127

The Expansive Self 129

Your Schedule 131

Acting Fundamentals 132

Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs 132

Transformation 133

Exercises 134

Primary Exercise 141

Conclusion 143

Appendix A Interpreting the Sound Container Exercise 147

Appendix B List of Exercises 148

Appendix C List of Videos 152

Glossary 153

Bibliography 157