traditional commonsense performance contemporary

books:

Acting in Commercials: A Guide to Auditioning and Performing on Camera

2 reviews
Joan See

Back Stage Books, 1998

A Graduate Course in Commercial Acting Excellence
Joan See, a classically trained actor (Sanford Meisner, Wynn Handman), explodes numerous myths about acting in commercials, such as: o Commercial acting is easy o Commercial acting requires no craft or skill o Commercial acting is selling On the contrary, says See: the actor's job is not to sell. Actors "must bring little stories to life in a way that makes other people believe them. If ...

The Munsters: A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane

21 reviews
Stephen Cox

Back Stage Books, 2006

Wonderfully Detailed Tribute To Television's First Family Of Fright
Having recently acquired this wonderful book by author Stephen Cox titled "The Munsters: A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane", as well as the recently released Two Seasons of the classic series on DVD, I once again never fail to marvel at this brilliant and totally original series that ran from 1964-66. Part domestic sitcom, part tribute to the Universal Monsters of old, and part satire on the "then", ...

Kids Take the Stage: Helping Young People Discover the Creative Outlet of Theater

5 reviews
Lenka Peterson, Dan O'Connor

Back Stage Books, 2006

Helping Young People Discover Theater
In this wonderful new book, Lenka Peterson and Dan O'Connor draw on more that 30 years of experience to reveal how to teach and direct plays with children. Their sophisticated yet accessible guide covers everything form the basics of acting to mounting and staging a production. It includes plenty of child-friendly sample scenes and relaxation techniques for kids. Perfect for established ...

The Backstage Guide to Stage Management: Traditional and New Methods for Running a Show from First Rehearsal ...

9 reviews
Thomas Kelly

Back Stage Books, 1999

don't leave home without it
From the minute I picked this book up it has become my "bible". Chock full of helpful tips and funny stories of the author's experiences as a stage manager. Not overly technical - with lots of helpful forms to smooth the way for a production (and the stage manager's nerves)! Have it with you through every show - before, during, after. Bravo! Encore!

The Art of Comedy: Getting Serious About Being Funny

10 reviews
Paul Ryan

Back Stage Books, 2007

FANTASTIC! Comedy made easy!
Paul has a gift for making comedy easy--whether you're an actor, a housewife, or a CEO. Comedy is so important in all walks of life, and this book helps bring out the "funny" in all of us. I highly recommend it!

Divine Fire: Eight Contemporary Plays Inspired by the Greeks

1 review

Back Stage Books, 2005

Some great plays
My favorite play was Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl. I'm not sure if this is out in any other form, but certainly the book is worth buying just to read this play, which has the deftness and economy of a classic Greek text, and the emotional range and subjective depth of a modern classic. She's my favorite author of plays.

There's Money Where Your Mouth Is: An Insider's Guide to a Career in Voice-Overs

15 reviews
Elaine A. Clark

Back Stage Books, 2000

Very helpful
This book is very helpful for those new to the industry. It contains information about putting your demo together, about getting an agent, and has sample copy to practice with, and tips for exercising your voice. I definitely reccomend this for anyone who is interested in trying this line of work for the first time.

How to Run a Theater: A Witty, Practical and Fun Guide to Arts Management

8 reviews
Jim Volz

Back Stage Books, 2004

Simple, Clear, and Saves Time
Our staff continues to use this book. Jim Volz makes things simple and clear, and he saves us boatloads of time trying to figure out how to do things ourselves from scratch. HOW TO RUN A THEATER is also a great training tool for new staff. We are using various chapters as preparatory reading for our strategic planning meetings. I am proposing that our management classes use this text. I am ...

Acting for Young Actors: The Ultimate Teen Guide

2 reviews
Mary Lou Belli, Dinah Lenney

Back Stage Books, 2006

This is a GREAT book!
This book is a fantastic investment for anyone with any interest in acting. Whether you're an experienced actor or one just starting out, this is a GREAT book--so good, after just one chapter of it, I felt like I had been taking acting classes for years. Written with young adults in mind, this book shows what it means to act and all the things you need to know to become a good actor in a way ...

Make Your Voice Heard: An Actor's Guide to Increased Dramatic Range Through Vocal Training

8 reviews
Chuck Jones

Back Stage Books, 2005

A "must have" for every serious actor!
This small book, only 141 pages in length, offers a most refreshing, lively and accessible guide to practical voice training written for actors and voice students who strive for honest performances using a voice that responds naturally to their inner selves. Chuck Jones, a remarkable teacher, has pioneered his voice training practices through many years of acting and teaching experience, guiding ...

How to be a Working Actor, 5th Edition: The Insider's Guide to Finding Jobs in Theater, Film, & Television ...

1 review
Mari Lyn Henry, Lynne Rogers

Back Stage Books, 2007

A must have for any aspiring actor
Getting started in many careers is undeniably the hard part. "How to Be a Working Actor: The Insider's Guide to Finding Jobs in Theater, Film, and Television" is a comprehensive and through guide to help actors get started on the right foot and not be waiting tables for the rest of their lives. With essential advice on how to put together a professional wardrobe, creating a solid resume, ...

Ask an Agent: Everything Actors Need to Know about Agents

4 reviews
Margaret Emory

Back Stage Books, 2005

Actors: Don't hunt without ASK AN AGENT in hand!
If you're an aspiring actor who's looking for an agent, don't go on the hunt until you've absorbed the tips in ASK AN AGENT; EVERYTHING ACTORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AGENTS. It's tough love in a book: a candid discussion of the world of agents, what they can do, what they can't do, and the pitfalls and successes of dealing with one. Chapters discuss how agents 'sell' actors under their charge, what ...

The Playwright's Process: Learning the Craft from Today's Leading Dramatists

11 reviews
Buzz McLaughlin

Back Stage Books, 1997

Pupils of Buzz
We are in Buzz McLaughlin's playwrighting class at Drew University. His book is the textbook for the course, and moreover our personal Bible(kidding). If there is one word to describe Buzz it would have to be visionary. The way he explicates the process of playwrighting with wonderful accessible analogies is genious. We have personally never had such a text. The writing flows beautifully and the ...

Let's Put on a Musical: How to Choose the Right Show for Your Theater, Revised & Expanded Edition

5 reviews
Peter Filichia

Back Stage Books, 2007

fabulous
this is a fantastic resource for anyone who is considering putting on a musical. it includes EVERY musical ever written, for all practical purposes...and the reviews are honest, straight forward critiques of the pros and cons of why you should choose this show.

Performance Anxiety

3 reviews
Eric Maisel

Back Stage Books, 2005

excellent resource for anyone with stage fright
Maisel's book is an excellent, comprehensive, thoughtful resource for anyone suffering from stage fright. Highly recommended!

5000 Episodes and No Commercials: The Ultimate Guide to TV Shows on DVD 2007
David Hofstede

Back Stage Books, 2006

Groundbreaking! Does for TV shows what Leonard Maltin's guides do for movies! * Complete listings for every series, including original air dates, audio/video quality, Easter eggs, much more * Perfect add-on gift: Buy a set, buy 5,000 Episodes No Commercials! Forget movies! Sales of TV DVDs are outpacing all other categories, according to Video Store magazine. The Simpsons, 24, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Alias , even old chestnuts like ...

A Short Guide to Writing About Art

11 reviews
Sylvan Barnet

Back Stage Books, 1996

How to read a potato in a painting as a potato and not a solar symbol?
This book is about writing on art.It has sections to equip you with what to keep in mind while writing an essay, research paper or review of an exhibit. The book has sample examples for comparitive essays and reviews with a good analysis on the organization of the material, its purpose and aptness for the reader. The checklist on writing on art can be extended to writing on books too. The ...

The Complete Professional Audition: A Commonsense Guide To Auditioning For Musicals and Plays

7 reviews
Daren Cohen, Michael Perilstein

Back Stage Books, 2005

Simply invaluable
Actors, whether seasoned or new, who regularly audition for musicals and plays should not omit taking at least a peek at the advice in The Complete Professional Audition: A Commonsense Guide To Auditioning For Musicals And Plays: it's a 'must' for would-be pros and provides an edge over the competition in both musical theater and regular play auditions, from locating the right music or monologue ...

Just Outside the Spotlight: Growing up with Eileen Heckart

13 reviews
Luke Yankee

Back Stage Books, 2006

I wish I had the option of giving it MORE stars!
"Mommie Dearest" this ain't. Instead, it's a love letter from a son to his mom...written with all the heart, humour and candor that made up their relationship. The reader is lucky that Mr. Yankee is willing to share so much. Each chapter is written almost like a monologue or anecdote you might hear him tell in his own living room. I couldn't read the book fast enough, although I certainly ...

Stage Makeup: The Actor's Complete Guide to Today's Techniques and Materials

12 reviews
Laura Thudium

Back Stage Books, 1999

I can't believe the author is the same name as mine!
I have never read a page of this book, but I just can't believe there is another Laura Thudium in this world! This is quite exciting. I wish I could contact his author and tell her that I have the exact same name as her! Laura Thudium is not a name you hear every day.

search for books
commonsense, contemporary, performance, professional, traditional

Impressum / about us