The Complete Idiot''s Guide to Acting

399 Pages·2008·2.29 MB·English

Acting

by Paul Baldwin and John Malone
A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Acting

by Paul Baldwin and John Malone
A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
ALPHA BOOKS
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Copyright © 2001 by Paul Baldwin and John Malone
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THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO and Design are registered trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
ISBN: 1-4362-9385-5
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2001089691
Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its authors. It is intended to provide helpful and informative
material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the authors and publisher are not engaged
in rendering professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a competent profes­
sional should be consulted.
The authors and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise,
which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book.
Publisher: Marie Butler-Knight Copy Editor: Jan Zunkel
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Contents at a Glance

Part 1: The Acting Bug 1
1 Lifelong Susceptibility 3
Discover why the acting bug can strike at any age, as well as
the many possibilities open to you.
2 Proud Parents 13
Find out about grade school pageants and historical plays for
the youngest actors.
3 A High School Schedule 23
Learn about using your time so that you can play sports and
be in the school play at the same time.
4 College Triumphs 33
Recognize that college acting can enhance your education and
be valuable for the future.
5 A Place in Your Community 43
Explore the pleasures and rewards of acting in community
theater.
Part 2: Skills of the Theater 53
6 Natural Gifts 55
Recognize your natural gifts for speaking, singing, and move­
ment.
7 Lessons Can’t Hurt 67
Find out about acting, singing, and dancing classes, as well as
the value of special talents.
8 Learning On Your Own 77
Discover the many ways you can increase your knowledge of
acting by reading, attending plays and movies, and just by
looking around you.
9 Experience Counts 89
Learn why experience is so important, and why even playing
small parts or working backstage is valuable.
10 Looks Aren’t Everything 101
Recognize that actors with all kinds of faces and builds can be
successful, and find out how to act as though you’re very good-
looking.
iv The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Acting
Part 3: Oh, Those Auditions 111

11 Picture and Resumé 113

Learn how to put together a resumé and picture package that
will make a strong impression at auditions.
12 Know What They’re Looking For 123

Find out how to choose the right parts to read for and deal
with the terrors of “cold” readings.
13 I Feel a Song Coming On 135

Learn the in-and-outs of choosing audition songs that will
maximize your talent and let you stand out from the crowd.
14 Dressing the Part? 147

Discover the secrets of what to wear to auditions.
15 Audition Etiquette 157

Learn the rules of how to behave at auditions, and why those
judging you have got their problems, too.
16 The Waiting Game 167

Understand the reasons why casting decisions take time, and
find out how to cope with the wait.
Part 4: Rehearsal Rigors 179

17 Scheduling Nightmares 181

Find out why rehearsal schedules are so complicated, and how
to deal with problems when they arise.
18 The Early Stages 191

Discover the rules of blocking, the best ways to memorize your
lines, and when to ask questions.
19 Cast Dynamics 203

Explore how relationships between cast members work and
how to deal with backstage gossip.
20 Taking Direction 213

Learn about the importance of the director’s notes, when to
argue, and how to cope with directorial mistakes.
21 Making Progress 225

Find out about ways to fine-tune your performance, and how
to be a giving actor who makes everyone look better.
Contents at a Glance v
Part 5: “We Open Next Thursday”
239
22 Creative Costuming
241
Learn all about the importance of costumes, and what to do
when you run into costume problems.
23 Tech and “Techies” 253

Understand the importance of the technical crew, and learn
how to deal with tech rehearsals.
24 Dress Rehearsals 265

Explore the ups-and-downs of dress rehearsals, and learn
about that all-important curtain call.
25 Opening Night 277

Experience the nervous thrills of opening night and find out
how to deal with all those compliments.
26 The Run of the Play 289

Learn how to take reviews—good or bad—with a grain of
salt, and give the audience your best at every performance.
Part 6: What Is a Professional? 301

27 Experience and Dependability 303

Understand why many community theater actors are profes­
sionals in terms of skill, even though they don’t have a union
card.
28 Getting Paid 313

Find out about the possibility of being paid small sums to act
in community theater, and how to negotiate for payment of
some kind.
29 Should You Turn Pro? 323

Explore the reasons for and against making acting your
career.
30 Getting a Union Card 335

Get the facts on how to become a member of the major acting
unions, should you decide on a professional career.
Appendixes
A Stage Directions Glossary
345
B Acting School Directory
351
C Play and Sheet Music Sources 355

D Further Reading 359

Index 363
Contents
Part 1: The Acting Bug 1

1 Lifelong Susceptibility 3

Mommy, They Want Me to Be in a Play ......................................4

Specially Picked Out......................................................................4

Not Just a Show-Off ....................................................................4

Discovering a New Ability ............................................................5

You Can Still Play Baseball ............................................................6

No, the Guys Won’t Laugh............................................................6

One-Up for College Admissions ....................................................7

College Theatrics ..........................................................................7

More Than a Grind......................................................................8

Undying Friendships ....................................................................8

A Community Theater ..................................................................9

“We’re Always Looking for Talent”................................................9

Circles of Influence ......................................................................10

2 Proud Parents 13

My Daughter Is the Angel Gabriel ..............................................14

“She’s Just Adorable” ..................................................................14

More Than a Pretty Face ............................................................15

No, He’s the Front End of the Horse..........................................15

You Gotta Start Somewhere ........................................................16

It’s Better Than Halloween..........................................................17

She’s Always Been So Shy ............................................................17

“You Don’t Have to Do This”......................................................18

Watching a Child Blossom ..........................................................19

They Actually Did It! ..................................................................20

Congratulations All Round ..........................................................21

3 A High School Schedule 23

Homework and Rehearsals ..........................................................24

Learning to Use Your Time ........................................................24

A Responsible Kid ........................................................................25

Mom, Will You Run Lines for Me? ............................................26

Part of Your Kid’s Life ................................................................26

Shared Success ............................................................................27
viii The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Acting

When’s the Track Meet? ..............................................................28

Coach vs. Drama Teacher............................................................29

The Well-Rounded Student ........................................................30

4 College Triumphs 33

Extracurricular Strengths ............................................................34

Educational Enrichment ..............................................................35

“We’re Upping the Scholarship” ..................................................36

Making Your Mark on Campus....................................................36

”Hey, I’m on the Front Page” ....................................................37

Prizes to Be Won ........................................................................37

Gaining Poise for the Future ......................................................38

Impressive in Public ....................................................................39

Ahead of the Corporate Game......................................................40

Just for the Fun of It ....................................................................40

5 A Place in Your Community 43

The Hospital Fund-Raiser ..........................................................44

It’s Just One Skit ........................................................................44

You Can Count On Me Next Year ..............................................45

A Small Theater Company ..........................................................45

Productive Free Time ..................................................................46

A Lot More Fun Than Bridge ....................................................47

Another Dimension to Life ..........................................................47

Nice to Feel Special Sometimes ....................................................48

“My Kids Are My Biggest Fans” ................................................49

If You Really Think I Could Do It ..............................................49

You’re Never Too Old to Start ....................................................50

“With the Kids Gone …” ............................................................51

Part 2: Skills of the Theater 53

6 Natural Gifts 55

What a Fine Voice ........................................................................56

Such Good Diction ......................................................................57

She Moves So Well ......................................................................58

A Pleasure to Watch....................................................................58

The Telling Gesture ....................................................................59

All Singing, All Dancing ..............................................................60

“I’ve Heard Him in Church” ......................................................61

Never Puts a Foot Wrong............................................................61