AT LAST!!! In the sea of books about the craft of acting, Building a Performance is a life raft about the overlooked creative process of rehearsal. The author's practical words provide a comprehensive guide that should be on every performer's bookshelf and included in the curriculum of all acting classes.
--Kenneth Noel Mitchell, professor of theatre practice, director of musical theatre, and cohead of undergraduate acting, University of Southern California
Building a Performance gives fresh insights on the practical rehearsal techniques that translate the work into spontaneous, vulnerable, lively performances.
--Tom Fontana, Emmy Award-winning writer and producer, "Homicide", "Oz", "Life on the Streets", "City on the Hill"
Building a Performance: An Actor's Guide to Rehearsal, offers actors a practical blueprint of how to craft a performance through a rehearsal period. There are so many talented actors who simply do not know how to 'rehearse, ' how to build the performance through the rehearsal period. This book will answer those questions and offer the actor a practical, how-to guide for building and sculpting a multi-layered performance. It's a must!
--Barbara Tirrell, film and television actress, "Fiddler on the Roof" (Broadway), "Wicked" (Broadway), "Jessica Jones", "FBI", "Vinyl", and "Boardwalk Empire"
Finally! A complete and comprehensive guide to one of the most elusive areas for the actor. This book on how to rehearse and build a performance is clearly communicated and extremely useful. Moreover, Basil and Schebetta have created a blueprint for exercising technique that meets each actor in the middle of their process, wherever that may be. To know John and Dennis is to experience their considerable wisdom and generosity as acting teachers, creative artists, and fellow humans. To read this this book is to have those gifts carefully curated and organized for every situation the contemporary actor may encounter. This is a book that will stay on the actor's nightstand and become an invaluable reference beyond the first read.
--Kim Shively, MFA, assistant professor of performing arts, Elon University
Preparation is key in film and TV and Building a Performance teaches actors how to bring an interesting and fully formed character to the set. With little opportunity for rehearsal, the actor must show up ready for "Opening Night" whenever they work on camera.
--Linda Laundra, director/producer of TV including: "Another World", "All My Children", "Homicide", "Life on the Street", and numerous independent film projects
Regardless of your training or technique, this book provides clear, practical methods of approaching the rehearsal process to maximize your effectiveness as a full partner in the creative work. A genuine roadmap leading to an organic, vivid, and unique performance. I want to create a new course so I can teach this to my students!
--Fredrick J. Rubeck, professor of performing arts and coordinator, BFA acting program, Elon University
Using well-known acting techniques and analytical skills intended for college stage actors and professional acting trainees, this practical handbook provides a solid foundation to build a performance during rehearsals. From Stanislavski and Uta Hagen to Sanford Meisner and others, the novice or experienced actor can choose what to explore and incorporate in developing a character and establishing character actions within the world of the play.... Chapter references, a bibliography, an index, and a convenient list of plays used as examples are educational and helpful. Traditional in its approach and application, this resource hits the mark. Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals.
-- "Choice Reviews"
