Six actors and actresses explain their philosophy concerning the theater, discuss physical action, scene analysis, costume, makeup, and mannerisms, and identify the common problems working actors must overcome This simple and essential book about the craft of acting describes a technique developed and refined by the authors, all of them young actors, in their work with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet, actor W. H. Macy, and director Gregory Mosher. A Practical Handbook for the Actor is written for any actor who has ever experienced the frustrations of acting classes that lacked clarity and objectivity, and that failed to provide a dependable set of tools. An actor's job, the authors state, is to find a way to live truthfully under the imaginary circumstances of the play. The ways in which an actor can attain that truth form the substance of this eloquent book. INTRODUCTION ix(4) DAVID MAMET AUTHORS' NOTE xiii The Job of the Actor 3(5) Technique Outline 8(3) Part One: The Technique 11(56) 1. Physical Action 13(6) 2. Analyzing a Scene 19(21) 3. The Truth of the Moment 40(8) 4. Externals 48(7) 5. Preparing for a Scene 55(4) 6. Troubleshooting 59(6) 7. The Tools of the Craft 65(2) Part Two: Pitfalls (Working in the Real World) 67(20) 8. Introduction 69(2) 9. The Emotional Trap 71(3) 10. The Myth of Character 74(2) 11. Keeping the Theatre Clean 76(8) 12. Conclusion 84(3) Glossary 87(2) Appendix A 89(1) Appendix B 90(1) Appendix C 91(1) Appendix D 92