Acting and Directing Shakespeare's Comedies
Key Lessons
- Available for pre-order on June 2, 2023. Item will ship after June 23, 2023
Preview
Book Description
Acting and Directing Shakespeare’s Comedies: Key Lessons outlines a clear, effective process for acting Shakespeare’s comedies.
Beginning with a discussion of the similarities and differences between acting in Shakespeare’s comedies versus acting in contemporary realism, the book lays out core principles to guide the reader through this creative process. The book continues with useful and easy to understand exercises that strengthen the reader’s craft. Building off of modern acting methods as well as contemporary Clown, classical Commedia, and verse speaking techniques, the book guides the reader towards interpretive and performance choices that are original, brave, and will help the reader succeed in these plays. Included are clear examples and detailed case studies that illuminate and reenforce these best lessons.
This accessible book is for actors, directors, students of Shakespeare, and those who want a fuller, richer awareness of the possibilities within Shakespeare’s comedies and a clear, pragmatic process for creating those performances.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Sean Body; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction and Foundations; 2. Under the Commedia Influence; 3. Misrule and Fools; 4. Lessons from the Clown World; 5. Language: Clarity, Variety, Humor; 6. Character Studies; 7. Parting Words; Appendix; Bibliography
Author(s)
Biography
Kevin Otos is a Professor of Theatre at Elon University, North Carolina where he teaches Acting, Shakespeare, Commedia and Clown. He is a professional actor and director, and co-author of Applied Meisner for the 21st-Century Actor written with his colleague Kim Shively.