A survey of approximately 450 novice Shakespearean actors was undertaken to determine what could be learned from a careful study of the initiation of new performers acting Shakespeare that might be helpful to others. The findings revealed that the typical initiate perceives acting Shakespeare as different from other acting, indicates a definite…

An organic approach to style in acting can lend credibility and power to performances and can enhance the clarity and extent of what is communicated to audiences about other social worlds. The organic approach is based on the following principles: mental experience and expressive behavior are inseparable and reciprocal; experience in either mode…

Examines the nature of imagination and creativity in the acting process. Argues that successful acting is the ability to extend the imagination into the creative act of developing a role and building a character. Discusses specific ways a theater educator inspires creativity in actors. (RS)

Describes the compatibility between the Alexander Technique and the Stanislavsky Method. Explains the basic concept behind both acting methods. Presents ideas for incorporating both methods in classes. (PA)

An American press history teacher develops student interest in his topic by masquerading as major personalities in the history of journalism. (RL)

To help maintain class interest in the important themes addressed in "Walden" and "The Duties of Civil Disobedience," a high school English teacher has presented a dramatic monologue as Henry David Thoreau to his students. After much library research, the teacher used some of the props characteristic of the author, such as a…

Presents an outline of six basic preparation activities for student actors, including reading the play, doing historical research, elemental exercises, learning the part, creating the character, and exercises in movement and voice. (JMF)

Gives instructions for a theater exercise that involves a student lip-synching to a song. Cautions that the presentation must be balanced equally, with attention paid to both realism in the actual lip-synching, and to how the performer gives meaning to the song. States that students generally should not try to emulate well-known performers. (PA)

Discusses mime, masks, improvisation, body training, and choral dynamics as techniques for improving actors' body movements. (RD)

The theatre curriculum at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland teaches acting techniques used in film and television in order to take students into the world of performance via the media they appreciate first. While a large number of students do not attend the theatre and have learned little about the cultural heritage of the theatre in their…

Relates students' favorite television characters to specific skill development, such as discussions in class, vocabulary development, critical thinking and evaluating occupations for future career guidance. (RK)

Describes an activity in which students selected a character from a play or novel and acted that role before the class. (SW)

This book explores the acting theories and teaching methods of great teachers of acting--among them, the Europeans Stanislavski, Meyerhold, Brecht, and Grotowski; the Japanese Suzuki (who trained in Europe); and the contemporary Americans, Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg, and Sanford Meisner. Each chapter of the book includes a sample class, which…

The articles in this publication trace the historical development of the theatre workshop, explain the relationship between the workshop and experimental theatre, and analyze the ways in which current drama workshops teach and develop the dramatic skills of the participants. The topics discussed include the special skills, production-oriented, and…

This article describes how the second-graders of one school performed a first-person historical presentation using all of the presidents of the United States as their characters. In connection with Presidents' Day, students presented a one-minute overview of the president's life in first-person characterization including costumes. Rationale,…