Building a Performance

Congratulations! You got the part! Now what? Many actors of all levels find it challenging to apply classroom and studio techniques to the rehearsal process. Rehearsing for a class is vastly different than a professional situation, and a consistent, practical, and constructive method is needed to truly bring to life vibrant and intricate characters.

Building a Performance: An Actor's Guide to Rehearsal provides tools and techniques through different stages of the rehearsal process to enable actors to make more dynamic choices, craft complex characters, and find an engaging and powerful level of performance. John Basil and Dennis Schebetta bring decades of acting and teaching experience to help actors apply the skills they learned in the classroom directly to the professional rehearsal room or film/television set. They show how to glean distinct choices from early readings of the script, how to add dynamics to their physical and vocal decisions, how to explore interactions with other actors in rehearsal, and how to address specific challenges unique to each role.

While students will benefit from the practical applications and advice, intermediate and advanced actors will find exciting and new ways to engage with the material and with other actors at rehearsal. Actors of all levels will gain tips and techniques so that they can continue to discover more about their character. With these tools, actors will be inspired to dig into the text and build a dynamic performance.

About the Authors

John Basil was a founding member and the producing artistic director of American Globe Theatre for 25 years, the longest running off-off Broadway theatre in midtown Manhattan. He has directed over 50 productions for the theatre and has also directed five seasons of opera at Sarasota Opera. Basil is the author of the popular and practical book WILL POWER: How to Act Shakespeare in 21 Days. Additionally, his Playing Shakespeare series continues to enlighten and inspire actors across the nation. Basil is an associate professor of theatre arts at Marymount Manhattan College. He has also worked in television as a director for NBC's Another World. Basil was recognized by The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and was awarded the Iben Lectureship for Shakespeare.

Dennis Schebetta is an actor, director, and writer in film and theater. He teaches at Skidmore College and continues to work professionally as an actor and director, most recently with the Saratoga Shakespeare Company and Northeast Theatre Ensemble. His professional acting credits include Ensemble Studio Theater, Vital Theater, Pulse Ensemble Theater, Genesius Guild Theater, Northeast Theatre Ensemble, Pittsburgh Playhouse, The Hiawatha Project and Off the Wall Theater. As a theatre director, he has directed productions off-off Broadway at Ensemble Studio Theatre, 29th Street Rep, and Brass Tacks Theatre. As a film director and award-winning writer, his short film My Date with Adam has been an official selection of several international film festivals. His numerous plays have been produced and performed across the country, as well as internationally.