An Actor's Companion: Tools for the Working Actor

by Seth Barrish, Anne Hathaway (Preface)

“There is a muscularity, not to mention wisdom and truth, to Seth’s techniques. He is a wonderful teacher, and I know that having him as my first guide is one of the luckiest things to have happened to me in my career and life.” —Anne Hathaway, from her Foreword

“Seth Barrish has coached me on almost every TV project, film or audition I’ve done since we met ten years ago. When it comes to wisdom about acting, there’s no one I hold in higher regard.” —Mike Birbiglia, comedian, director, actor

“Seth’s approach and understanding is awesome. He makes it very easy to act by telling you not to act and be natural. It could be as simple as having something in your hand, creating business while you deliver a line to make it seem natural and comfortable. His book is amazing—it’s basically the actor’s blueprint.” —Jay Pharoah, actor, comedian

“In Seth’s class I often watch him transform a student’s good, yet average performance into a precise and exhilarating one, with just one simple adjustment. I am constantly blown away by how he does this. This book explains it.” —Sarita Choudhury, actor

“This book is truly unlike anything else I know—these pieces are haikus on specific elements of performance and character building.” —Philip Himberg, Sundance Theatre Institute

An Actor’s Companion is ideal for both seasoned professionals and beginning actors. The tips and exercises are simple and direct, and easy to apply in both rehearsal and performance.

Seth Barrish is an actor, director and co-founder of The Barrow Group, a theater company and acting school, in New York City. During his near forty-year career he has directed the award-winning My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend , Sleepwalk with Me , The Tricky Part , Pentecost , All the Rage and Old Wicked Songs .

Genres: Theatre, Art, Film, Nonfiction

216 pages, Paperback

First published December 22, 2014

Reviews

[Mike Degen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the text we studied for my acting class and it 100 percent changed the way I view acting and my understanding of how to do it

[Kimon Fioretos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear and comprehensive

I love when books get down and dirty , this is a book of tips for the professional actor , very helpful and very easy to remember and try , troubleshooting is a subject that actors usually talk between them anecdotally, it is very useful to have a book that is not addressing the issue of training like most books do , or have a books that talks about new age acting "how to live your life stuff" ( both of the useful ) but to address issues of crafty tips like a coach beside you whispering in your ear ! The writers voice is very direct and light but most importantly to the point ! One if is well read will identify Michael chekhov's words and advise and many other teacher , that's is to say that the teacher has borrowed wisdom both from his experience and from other masters , somethings that makes the book even better ! I liked the fact that he didn't feel like he had to either tell us ( not in all stories ) the source of the exercise or the reason behind it , sometimes all you need is just the advice ! Very well done sir !

[Colin Hinckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've worked with many, many directors over my career (small though it is) and Seth is the director who has given me the most tools to work with by far. I studied at the Barrow Group for many years and this book is the next best thing to taking classes there. Of all the books I've read on acting, this one is easily the most practical. There's so much less personal philosophy (which I often find unhelpful) and much more technique rooted in human behavior rather than a THEORY of human behavior. There's a humility about Seth's approach, where his own experience is decentralized in favor of a more universal understanding. Focusing on what animates people leads to techniques that can be used by everyone to make their performances as lifelike as possible. An indispensable book.

[Sam Barnum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkably useful

I’m amazed by the clarity and brevity of this book. It’s as though a professional distilled years of experience into small, pithy (and funny!) easy to understand nuggets of wisdom.

[Jesse Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who is close to me right now knows that I’m in the middle of acting classes at the Barrow Group and intend to take more. Day one of class this book was recommended by my instructor because the author, Seth Barrish, is the co-founder of the Barrow Group and many teachings from the course come straight out of this book.
The book really couldn’t be more perfect. Bite size passages offering tips and advice for how to make acting easier, and tools on letting go and challenging yourself. I will 100% be coming back to this book whenever I need any guidance in my acting ‘career’ and highly recommend for any people even passively interested in acting.

[Alix Curnow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly written. Barrish’s humor and syntax makes the book an enjoyable and quick read. I felt as though the tips were cheat codes to acting, rather than working from the ground up… but perhaps that is the point? His approach to classics differ from what I was taught in undergrad but are not entirely unfounded. Not sure it’s my personal style but the method appears to be effective for some actors. I’ll definitely add a good amount of the tips he gives to the tools in my toolbox.

The monologue portion at the end of the book is particularly useful.

[Mills College Library]

792.028 B2769 2015

[Rayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, short, sweet and to the point. I don't think there is any mindblowing information in here, but if you've never had training, this is an excellent read.

[Kyrion · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Seth Barrish has created a genuinely fun to read collection of acting tips that someone could immediately apply to their craft.

[Masha Getahun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to keep handy when rehearsing

[Ella Parker]

Very interesting insight! I like Seth’s angle!

[Tania Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very practical read for those in the performing arts. As a voice actor, it provided useful insights into technique, character development, etc. chapters are short, succinct, and engaging.

[allie leeds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve taken class at TBG for years and I found a copy of this at a library sale for $2! I realized somehow never sat down and read all Seth’s thoughts compiled I worship these tools

[Anne Libera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent set of highly useful and practical tips for actors to try in their work.