Playing the Audience: The Practical Actor's Guide to Live Performance

by James B. Nicola

Overview

(Applause Books). In this book divided into eight chapters, author James Nicola reveals how the technique of live acting springs directly from the unique relationship between the performer and the spectator. Playing the Audience includes advice on: creating a character from the stage from external gestures to inner dialogue; scoring the text; subtext; emotional memory; substitution; conflict; objectives; through-line of action; improvisation; blocking a scene; language and speech; connecting to the world of the play; and much more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781557834928
Publisher:	Applause
Publication date:	06/01/2002
Series:	Applause Books
Pages:	258
Product dimensions:	6.08(w) x 8.97(h) x 0.77(d)

Table of Contents

	Introduction	ix
Chapter 1.	Theatricality	1
Chapter 2.	Meaning	32
Chapter 3.	Stakes	66
Chapter 4.	Connection	82
Chapter 5.	Shape	109
Chapter 6.	Heightened Theatricality	137
Chapter 7.	Language	169
Chapter 8.	From Casting to Closing	211
Appendix 1.	Texts Used in This Book	222
Appendix 2.	The Warm-Up	224
Appendix 3.	Lists and Menus	232
	Endnotes	236
	Sources	238
	Index	240

Editorial Reviews

Drama director Nicola offers advice to actors playing before live audiences. He discusses how to analyze a script for the playwright's intentions and the hoped-for audience reaction, how to invest oneself in the character and physically connect with audiences, and how to relate to the language of a play. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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