Play Readings: A Complete Guide for Theatre Practitioners / Edition 1

by Rob Urbinati

Overview

Play Readings: A Complete Guide for Theatre Practitioners demystifies the standards and protocols of a play reading, demonstrating how to create effective and evocative readings for those new to or inexperienced with the genre. It examines all of the essential considerations involved in readings, including the use of the venue, pre-reading preparations, playwright/director communication, editing/adapting stage directions, casting, using the limited rehearsal time effectively, simple "staging" suggestions, working with actors, handling complex stage directions, talkbacks, and limiting the use of props, costumes, and music. A variety of readings are covered, including readings of musicals, operas, and period plays, for comprehensive coverage of this increasingly prevalent production form.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138841284
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/02/2015
Pages:	238
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Rob Urbinati is a freelance director and playwright based in New York City, and Director of New Play Development at Queens Theatre. In New York, he has directed for Pearl Theater, The Public Theater, Classic Stage Company, York Theatre, The Culture Project, Abingdon Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Cherry Lane Theatre and New York University. He has also directed at theatres and universities across the country. Rob's plays include "Hazelwood Jr. High," "West Moon Street" and "Death By Design," published by Samuel French. "Rebel Voices," "Cole Porter's Nymph Errant" and "The Queen Bees" will also be published by Samuel French. Other plays include "UMW," "Karaoke Night at the Suicide Shack" and "Mama's Boy." His plays have received over 100 productions world-wide. Rob is an alumnus of the Drama League Directors Project and the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CREDITS

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

PART ONE: BEFORE REHEARSALS

CHAPTER ONE: GOING PUBLIC

CHAPTER TWO: THE PRELIMINARIES

CHAPTER THREE: TIME RESTRICTIONS

CHAPTER FOUR: CASTING

CHAPTER FIVE: MODEL FOR A PLAY READING

CHAPTER SIX: STAGE DIRECTIONS

PART TWO: REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE

CHAPTER SEVEN: BEFORE REHEARSAL BEGINS

CHAPTER EIGHT Movement, Gestures and Adapting Stage Directions in Rehearsal

CHAPTER NINE: EDITING AND MOVEMENT FOR CHALLENGING TEXT AND STAGE DIRECTIONS

CHAPTER TEN: REVIEW AND TECH

CHAPTER ELEVEN: ACTING IN A PLAY READING

CHAPTER TWELVE: DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENTATION

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: DEVELOPING NEW MUSICALS AND OPERAS

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: NON-DEVELOPMENTAL READINGS

PART THREE: AFTER THE READING

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: AUDIENCES AND TALKBACKS

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THE FOLLOW-UP

EPILOGUE: MOVING FORWARD

Appendix A – For Emerging Artists

Appendix B – Unions and Guilds

Appendix C – Selections, Cuttings and Excerpts

Appendix D – A Playwright’s Responses: E. Rey Patmatat

Appendix E – Advice from a Casting Director: Tom Rowan

Appendix F – International Readings: Horacio Perez

INDEX