How to Rehearse When There Is No Rehearsal: Acting and the Media

by Robert Blumenfeld, Alice Spivak

This practical book on the subject of how to act, based on Ms. Spivak's forty years of acting, coaching, and teaching classes – first at Herbert Berghof and Uta Hagen's HB Studio, then on her own – provides a step-by-step system for analyzing and building a character organically, which can be applied even in the short time an actor has to prepare for auditions and for many television performances. Timely advice includes how to do camera takes, interpret and follow stage directions, and how to prepare for auditions and work in theater, film, television commercials, and television soap operas, sitcoms, and nighttime dramas.

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

Robert Blumenfeld works as an actor, dialect coach, and writer. He has recorded more than 325 books and acted in regional and New York theater. Blumenfeld is the author of Accents, Acting with the Voice, Tools and Techniques for Character Interpretation, Using the Stanislavsky System, Blumenfelds Dictionary of Acting and Show Business, and Blumenfelds Dictionary of Musical Theaterall published by Limelight Editions. He lives in New York City. "

Reviews

[Steve Kubick]

A good book for anyone who's been on the spot (learning a Publix 3-minute monologue overnight, for instance). Building upon the scoop and shoot technique learned from Veleka Gray; she suggests this...

[Brian]

I'm glad to be familiar with this one because it was recommended, but I don't see a need to reread it later like some of my favorites.

[Taja Hereford]

Lots of great information in this book to help beginners and skilled actors develop.