Based on the author’s decades of teaching, pedagogical and theatrical research, and his professional experience as actor and director, Making a Scene: Creating a Scene Study Class for Actors offers a pedagogical approach rehearsal scenes as a primary tool for diagnosis and actor improvement.
This volume carefully lays out the case for thinking deeply and critically about the nature of every facet of an acting class: the environment of the classroom, the choice of material for performing, diagnostic tools for responding to scene sessions, and means for engaging all students. This study includes suggestions for a teacher’s philosophy towards the work; a justification for implementing games, improvisations, and etudes; suggestions for resources for exercises both basic and complex; and a brief discussion on approaches to period styles material and connecting it to contemporary student life and issues.
Addressed to both the beginning theatre teacher and the seasoned educator, this will be an essential book for anyone seeking to update their work with performers in private studios, high school settings, or in higher education.
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1. Philosophy
Chapter 2. Further Thoughts
Chapter 3. Considerations
Chapter 4. Picking Materials for Scene Study
Chapter 5. Script Analysis
Chapter 6. Coaching: Beginning
Chapter 7. Coaching: Categories
Chapter 8. Coaching to Inspire Emotions
Chapter 9. Coaching Habits that Don’t Serve
Chapter 10. Coaching: Character
Chapter 11. Feedback
Chapter 12. Exercises, Etudes, and Games
Chapter 13. Styles
Chapter 14. Styles: Shakespeare
Chapter 15. Conclusion
Appendix 1. Diverse Classroom Play
Appendix 2. Open Scenes
Appendix 3. Grading Ruric for Acting Period Styles
Bibliography
Index
Biography
Bill Gelber is a Professor of Theatre at Texas Tech University who teaches acting, directing, pedagogy, and period styles, including Shakespeare and his contemporaries.
