Acting Living in Discovery: Table of Contents

A list of great playwrights:

Shakespeare, Chekhov, Wilder, Williams, the two Wilsons, Odets, Inge, Oneill, Moliere, Durang, Treadwell, Molnar, Labute, Greenberg, Baker, Herzog, Beckett, Ives, Kauffman and Hart, Shanley, Albee, Shaw, Coward, Wilde, and Ibsen.

Why do I want to act? Initially it was because I wanted an outlet for expression and a better understanding of myself. Now I seek out moments of presentness and the opportunity to live life more fully.

'''When did I know I wanted to be an actor? '''In College. It brought me towards a community and helped me proved to myself that I could do things for myself.

What makes me different from people who don't want to act? I want to say nothing because I think we've all inherently experienced similar things. But, perhaps it is a desire and willingness to go towards the fire and throw myself in. Knowing it won't be easy and there are no gaurantees, but I do it anyways.

'''How did this book get in my hands? '''Laura Gardner.

'''What do I hope to learn from it? '''I hope to learn a better understanding of the craft. More about myself I suppose.

What are the actor's tools and materials? Being quizzed already ehh. I think my life's experiences and my physical instrument. Plays, telivision, film, anything that helps people explore life.

DEVELOPING AS AN ARTIST MEANS LEARNING WHAT QUESTIONS YOU MUST ASK.

Chapter 1:
Think about what happens to you when you watch a play. What are your spontaneous unconscious responses. Articulate why you think a play is good or not good.

How to Read a Play for the First Time:

 * Forget that you're going to be working on the play.
 * set aside two hours so that you may read it in one sitting.
 * no electronics
 * Find an environment that facilitates this. It may be in public.
 * Write Down First Impressions

The Second Time:
Info comes from: Cast breakdown, date of publication, original cast listing, description of the set, time period, character's dialogue. No stage directions.
 * Focus on Theme and Story- What holds this play together
 * Why do you relate to it? Why you want to work on it.
 * "The spine of a play is a statement that captures the play's essence or energy. "

Adjectives and Adverbs: Lead to generalizing if you don't question them. (Translate them into active verbs)

'''Emotional life is deeper and more interesting than a generalized feeling. It is the consequence of circumstance and unplanned. To act is to do.'''

Pause- Still filled with life even though not speaking.

Mining the Text (The Story):

 * discover what you're saying-know all words definitions and idioms. (make lists)
 * particularizing- make the dialogue yours. Connect everything to inner objects and images.
 * Research to see if people, places, or events existed. Your background, profession, physical condition.
 * Use what you know/ relate to the script with your own life. Daydream.

My Autobiography

 * The Spine of My Life
 * Writing My Life Story
 * The Events Happening in My Life
 * The Themes of My Life