On with the Show!: A Guide for Directors and Actors

96 Pages·2005·2.96 MB·English

by  Sheri L.M. Bestor

Cn with the Shew!
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Cn with t he Shew!
A Guide for Directors and Actors
Sheri •_. Ai. Bestcr
Teacher Ideas Press
Portsmouth, NH
Teacher Ideas Press
A division of Reed Elsevier Inc.
361 Hanover Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801-3912
www.heinemann. com
Offices and agents throughout the world
© 2005 by Sheri L. M. Bestor
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including
information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may
quote brief passages in a review. Reproducible pages may be copied for classroom and educational programs only.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bestor, Sheri L. M.
On with the show! : a guide for directors and actors / Sheri L. M. Bestor.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-59469-002-2 (alk. paper)
1. Theater rehearsals. 2. Theater—Production and direction. 3. Acting. I. Title.
PN2071.R45B47 2005
792'.02'33—dc22 2004028490
Editor. Suzanne Barchers
Production Coordinator: Angela Rice
Typesetter. Westchester Book Services
Cover Design: Gaile Ivaska
Manufacturing: Steve Bernier
Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper
09 08 07 06 05 ML 1 2 3 4 5
For Whitnie, Kaitilyn, andHailie
For Scott
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Ccntents
Reproducibles xi
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction xv
Section 1: The Director's Handbook 1
Chapter 1. Auditions 3
Pre-audition Meeting 3
The Auditions: Casting the Show 6
Chapter 2. Getting the Most Out of Rehearsals 7
Attendance 7
Rehearsal Lesson Plans 8
General Date and Time Schedule 10
Director's Notes 10
Script Preparation 10
Chapter 3. Coming to Rehearsals Prepared: The Student Handbook 12
Dialogue 12
Getting into Character 12
Blocking 13
Vocals 13
Choreography 13
Summary 14
viii Contents
Chapter 4. Reproducibles 15
Section 2: The Actor's Handbook 47
Chapter 1. Auditions 49
Preparing for the Audition: Rehearsing at Home 49
Nailing the Audition 53
Accepting the Casting Decisions 55
Chapter 2. Getting the Most Out of Rehearsals 56
Attendance 56
Rehearsal Schedule 56
Director's Notes 57
Script Preparation 57
Come Prepared 58
Choreography 59
Movement Patterns 60
Blocking and Stage Business 60
Rehearsal Checklist 60
Chapter 3. At-Home Rehearsals 62
At-Home Rehearsal Schedule 62
Warm-up Exercises 64
Learning to Act Your Part 64
Vocal Rehearsal Plan 67
Choreography Rehearsal Plan 69
Strengthening Skills at Home 69
Chapter 4. The Final Show and the Aftermath 71
How to Recover on Stage 71
Supporting Your Fellow Cast Members and Crew 72
The Aftermath 72
Contents ix
Glossary 73
Bibliography 75
Index 77
About the Author 79