The Actor and the Alexander Technique

by Kelly McEvenue, David Gorman (Illustrator), Patsy Rodenburg (Foreword by)

F.M. Alexander developed the Alexander Technique of movement in the early 20th century. Combining vocal clarity and body movement, Alexander developed a performance coaching method that is used by dancers, actors, singers, etc. In The Actor and the Alexander Technique , Kelly McEvenue writes the first basic book about how this unique technique can help actors feel more natural on the stage. She provides warm-up exercises, "balance" and "center" exercises, spatial awareness exercises. She talks about imitation, the use of masks, nudity on the stage, dealing with injury and aging. She talks about specific productions that have successfully used the Alexander Technique, such as "The Lion King". With a foreword by Patsy Rodenburg of our own phenomenal The Actor Speaks this is a book that belongs on the shelf of every working and studying actor.

176 pages, Paperback

First published August 17, 2002

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good/useful book from an Alexander technique perspective. I do think perhaps it is more useful for Alexander technique teachers in teaching them how to teach actors though than for actors themselves. (You can't really learn the Alexander technique from a book and that may be what some readers are trying to do.) The author is obviously a talented Alexander teacher who really knows her stuff when it comes to teaching actors. [Note: I'm an Alexander technique teacher and have found this book incredibly helpful in terms of learning more about how to work with actors.]

[Laur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took some photos of pages I resonated with - the biggest part being that the Technique itself involves noticing habits and actively choosing to either follow that, or pick a new path.

Would love to work with an Alexander Technique teacher.