200 Themes for Devising Theatre with 11-18 Year Olds
Shortlisted for Outstanding Drama Education Resource at the 2025 Music & Drama Education Awards A unique resource for drama teachers providing 200 stimuli and age-appropriate individual topics within those to help inspire and guide young people in devising performance. It contains useful information on devising techniques, workshops, schemes and lesson ideas for introducing devising and guidance on how to analyse the work and give feedback. Following on from his successful book 200 Plays for GCSE and A-Level Performance, author Jason Hanlan has once again solved one of drama teachers' most frequently encountered problems: how to unlock the best devised performance with their students. Devising as a group requires a level of collaboration, which - without a strong framework - often descends into wild flights of fancy and a myriad of dead ends. Excellent ideas can be lost or diluted in an often-awkward attempt to tie it all together to fit a narrative. The main body of this book is a unique numbered listing of 200 stimuli, designed to both inspire and focus the mind, with an example of a possible topic and 'ways in' that would be suitable for each level: "Civil rights" > "Votes for women" (11 - 14 year olds)> "Rosa Parks" (14-16 year olds)> "The Disappeared" (16 - 18 year olds) Each stimuli is given its own page dedicated to exploring its possibilities as a piece of devised theatre for different age groups, and offering suggestions for plays, films and books to look at; artefacts and images to examine; ideas to consider; and further research you can draw on.
The Dream of a Ridiculous Man
Mad - Foolish - Ridiculous - I've been called many things. On an uneventful Wednesday in a drab Borough of East London, an ordinary man has a startling revelation: life is an unhappy accident in a meaningless universe. He gets himself a gun. But before he can use it, he dreams of an innocent, alternative earth, where people live in harmony with nature and each other. Elated, he sets out to tell the world about his dream and share his new vision of a happy planet. Dostoevsky's tragic-comic adventure The Dream of a Ridiculous Man is transported to 21st-century London in a one-person tale of wonder with an urgent warning for our world, adapted by Laurence Boswell. A funny and serious story of hope, that with love and trust we can build a better world. Maybe. This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere at London's Marylebone Theatre in March 2024.
From Aphra Behn to Fun Home
Theatre has long been considered a feminine interest for which women consistently purchase the majority of tickets, while the shows they are seeing typically are written and brought to the stage by men. Furthermore, the stories these productions tell are often about men, and the complex leading roles in these shows are written for and performed by male actors. Despite this imbalance, the feminist voice presses to be heard and has done so with more success than ever before. In From Aphra Behn to Fun Home: A Cultural History of Feminist Theatre, Carey Purcell traces the evolution of these important artists and productions over several centuries. After examining the roots of feminist theatre in early Greek plays and looking at occasional works produced before the twentieth century, Purcell then identifies the key players and productions that have emerged over the last several decades. This book covers the heyday of the second wave feminist movement--which saw the growth of female-centric theatre groups--and highlights the work of playwrights such as Caryl Churchill, Pam Gems, and Wendy Wasserstein. Other prominent artists discussed here include playwrights Paula Vogel Lynn and Tony-award winning directors Garry Hynes and Julie Taymor. The volume also examines diversity in contemporary feminist theatre--with discussions of such playwrights as Young Jean Lee and Lynn Nottage--and a look toward the future. Purcell explores the very nature of feminist theater--does it qualify if a play is written by a woman or does it just need to feature strong female characters?--as well as how notable activist work for feminism has played a pivotal role in theatre. An engaging survey of female artists on stage and behind the scenes, From Aphra Behn to Fun Home will be of interest to theatregoers and anyone interested in the invaluable contributions of women in the performing arts.
Breaking It Down
"Everyone involved in the performing arts, from professors to casting directors to actors to students, especially those just starting out, should read this eye-opening work." Library Journal, Starred ReviewA practical guide that shows BIPOC actors how to break down the audition process rather than being broken down by the entertainment industry and its practices of exclusion and bias. Working in an environment that often stereotypes or attempts to "universalize" experiences, it's more important than ever that actors consider how culture, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and ability are inseparable and important parts of their identity that should not be minimized and can instead enhance their work. In Breaking It Down: Audition Techniques for Actors of the Global Majority, Nicole Hodges Persley and Monica White Ndounoushare real-world audition strategies that centers the experiences of actors of color. They combine practical advice, cultural studies, Black feminist perspectives, and lived experiences to offer intersectional approaches to auditioning.The ten steps outlined in this book aid actors across racial lines seeking to develop the necessary skills to break down a character and script while affirming their full selves into the audition to book the role. Building on the momentum of the #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, and Time's Up movements, Breaking It Down emboldens actors of the global majority to embrace every aspect of their identities rather than leaving themselves behind in an effort to gain entry and access to the entertainment industry
Reality Tv’s Real Men of the Recession
In the 2000s, reality programs showcasing white, working-class men performing hazardous occupations in wilderness settings proliferated on U.S. cable networks. Shannon O'Sullivan argues that this genre represents a reactionary veneration of white, rural, working-class men as "real Americans" amid the Great Recession and current events.
The Art of the Classic Western Movie Poster
Acknowledging the iconic, but with plenty of room for the rare and unfamiliar, The Art of the Classic Western Movie Poster presents poster art created for several hundred classic (and not-so-classic) westerns produced from 1903 to 1978. More than 800 images--many reproduced as full-page--make this the most comprehensive book of western movie poster art ever published, and the definitive history of a genre often underestimated for its impact on American audiences. One of the earliest narrative films, 1903's The Great Train Robbery, was a western, and before commercial cinema was a decade old the form had proliferated to such an extent that practically every nickelodeon in the country used short-length shoot-'em-ups in their daily programs. The book begins with a fact-heavy introduction that details how western movies became popular as a result of America's fascination with the Wild West, as portrayed in dime novels and pulp-fiction magazines. How and when the genre archetypes--white hat vs. black hat, the cowboy's love for his horse, the Western hero as roving do-gooder--were fixed is discussed. The difference between "A" and "B" movies and which westerns fit into those categories are also explained ("A"s including such movies as Stagecoach, Destry Rides Again, and True Grit, and "B"s such films as Gold Mine in the Sky, Saga of Death Valley, and Hopalong Cassidy, and the likes of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers). Each chapter devotes a special feature to a specific "western" star, writer, director, stuntman, or leading lady. Also included are the author's firsthand interviews conducted from as far back as the mid-1970s. This unique book is a celebration of the American motion picture's first and most enduringly popular genre.
Three Visionary Screenplays
For every screenplay that becomes a movie, there are hundreds of spec scripts that never see the light of day. Even Oscar-winning screenwriters have their share.In a Hollywood career spanning four decades, Bruce Joel Rubin originated the films Ghost, Jacob's Ladder and Brainstorm. But those celebrated works are not the only stories to emerge from his visionary imagination.Quasar, written with David Bienstock, is a mind-bending science fiction epic for the era of Timothy Leary, 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Human Potential Movement, about a scientist who sees the origins of life as we know it and a society on the verge of an evolutionary leap.Teratoma is a gut wrenching horror story that combines body horror with spiritual drama, charting the outbreak of a global epidemic and a soul-searching war between hope and fear, angels and devils.Secrets of the Astral Plane is a metaphysical thriller set during the waning days of the Cold War, pitting a ragtag team of American psychics against a Soviet supervillain The fate of the Western world will be determined behind the cosmic curtain.Together, these three unproduced scripts offer insight into their respective genres, the times in which they were written, and the existential questions of a writer who has inspired many.
Do It Yourself Dramaturgy
"The secret of life may be found in the questions you ask, and the same goes for the secrets of playwriting. In Do It Yourself Dramaturgy, Caroline Russell-King asks just the right questions or, rather, she exhorts playwrights to ask them before launching their work into the world. Comprehensive and concise, this eminently usable guide offers lesson after lesson in dramaturgical inquiry-craft-based, artistic, practical, professional, and even profound. It comes packing answers, too, from a writer who clearly knows her stuff, including how to entertain as she teaches. Russell-King's cheeky, smart examples are worth the price of admission. Her parentheticals-where she stows personal stories and biases-are priceless. "-Todd London, Artistic Director, Writer, Dramatist Guild of America, NYC. "What a terrific resource for playwrights: sound advice and provocative questions peppered with relevant (and entertaining) anecdotes."-Conni Massing, Playwright, screenwriter, story consultant, Edmonton. "Full of really valuable advice and questions to ask yourself. Read it then WRITE." -George F. Walker, Playwright, Toronto."Caroline Russell-King's Do It Yourself Dramaturgy guides you like a lighthouse beacon through the frequent fog of the creative process of writing, or more likely, rewriting a stage play. Phrased as a series of practical questions the playwright might ask of their work before revising and submitting it to a potential producer, this concise, practical and lively guide renders complex concepts accessible and useful to a playwright at any level of experience, or for that matter anyone engaged in the creation of that fundamental conveyor of human experience: story." -Gerry Potter, Writer, Director, Dramaturg, Edmonton. "Russell-King knows what she's talking about. And she knows how to tell it with frankness, humour and clarity."-Bill Lane, Producer, Director, Stratford.
The Dance and Opera Stage Manager's Toolkit
The Dance and Opera Stage Manager's Toolkit details unique perspectives and approaches to support stage managers beginning to navigate the fields of dance and opera stage management in live performance.This book demystifies the genre-specific protocols and vocabularies for stage managers who might be unfamiliar with these fields and discusses common practices. Filled with valuable industry-tested tools, templates, and practical information, The Dance and Opera Stage Manager's Toolkit is designed to assist stage managers interested in pursuing these performance genres. The book also includes interviews and contributions from a range of professional stage managers working in dance and opera.From the student stage manager studying in Theatrical Design and Production university programs to the experienced stage manager wanting to broaden their skill set, this book provides resources and advice for a successful transition into these worlds.The Dance and Opera Stage Manager's Toolkit includes access to an online repository of resources and paperwork examples to help jumpstart the reader's journey into dance and opera stage management. To access these resources, visit www.routledge.com/9780367566579.
The Radical Act of Listening: Making Documentary and Investigative Theatre
The Radical Act of Listening: Making Documenatry and Investigative Theatre explores best practices in the field of Documentary and Investigative theatre and offers readers a how-to guide for making their own work, written by a leading practitioner in the field.This book looks at how listening can radically bring about change through documentary and investigative theatre. It examines the mechanics and value of listening and how theatre practitioners can use these skills to create theatre. What does it mean to really listen, especially during a time when everyone is shouting? Can we listen without an agenda? Can we take what we hear and find ethical ways to share it with others so that we capture nuance, complexity, contradiction, i.e., all things human? In exploring these questions, author KJ Sanchez shares conversations with peers and fellow artists who work in the fields of interview-based and non-fiction art practices, to look at what it takes to be a great listener and a great theatre maker.Featuring key artists, themes, and practices, this book is written for students and practitioners interested in creating documentary and investigative theatre, as well as other interview-based artforms.
Do It Yourself Dramaturgy
"The secret of life may be found in the questions you ask, and the same goes for the secrets of playwriting. In Do It Yourself Dramaturgy, Caroline Russell-King asks just the right questions or, rather, she exhorts playwrights to ask them before launching their work into the world. Comprehensive and concise, this eminently usable guide offers lesson after lesson in dramaturgical inquiry-craft-based, artistic, practical, professional, and even profound. It comes packing answers, too, from a writer who clearly knows her stuff, including how to entertain as she teaches. Russell-King's cheeky, smart examples are worth the price of admission. Her parentheticals-where she stows personal stories and biases-are priceless. "-Todd London, Artistic Director, Writer, Dramatist Guild of America, NYC. "What a terrific resource for playwrights: sound advice and provocative questions peppered with relevant (and entertaining) anecdotes."-Conni Massing, Playwright, screenwriter, story consultant, Edmonton. "Full of really valuable advice and questions to ask yourself. Read it then WRITE." -George F. Walker, Playwright, Toronto."Caroline Russell-King's Do It Yourself Dramaturgy guides you like a lighthouse beacon through the frequent fog of the creative process of writing, or more likely, rewriting a stage play. Phrased as a series of practical questions the playwright might ask of their work before revising and submitting it to a potential producer, this concise, practical and lively guide renders complex concepts accessible and useful to a playwright at any level of experience, or for that matter anyone engaged in the creation of that fundamental conveyor of human experience: story." -Gerry Potter, Writer, Director, Dramaturg, Edmonton. "Russell-King knows what she's talking about. And she knows how to tell it with frankness, humour and clarity."-Bill Lane, Producer, Director, Stratford.
A Midsummer Night's D&d
A Midsummer Night's D&D: What happens when a burnt-out drama teacher decides to do one last Dungeons & Dragons Shakespearean themed campaign for his afterschool program? Young love, domineering parents and mischievous spirits are the perfect fodder for both Shakespeare and D&D in this new adaptation of the Bard's classic, A Midsummer Night's Dream.
BRUCE LEE SPECIAL COLLECTORS EDITIONVOL No2 No4
Dive into the first issue of 2024. Immerse yourself in the world of martial arts with captivating articles that explore the legacy of Bruce Lee's masterpiece, Fist of Fury.Explore the Martial Arts Icon: Fist of Fury - Bruce Lee's MasterpieceChen Zhen: The Enduring Legacy of Bruce Lee's Fist of FuryExclusive Look: John Negron's Bruce Lee Fist of Fury Memorabilia CollectionUnveiling the Legacy: Mike Nesbitt's "Bruce Lee Column - Real or Fake: Chinese Gung Fu"Fist of Fury Photogallery!Plus Part 1 John Negron's impressive collection of Fist of Fury memorabiliaPart 1 Thomas Gross rare Fist of Fury collectibles
The Art Gallery on Stage
Winner of the AIA (Associazione Italiana di Anglistica) Book Prize 2024 The Art Gallery on Stage is the first book to consider the representation of the art gallery on the contemporary British stage and to discuss how playwrights have begun to regard it as inspiration, location, focus or theme in an ever-more intense game of cross-fertilization. The study analyzes the impact on dramatic form and theatrical presentation of what has been a paradigmatic shift in the way art galleries and museums display their collections and how these are perceived, establishing a hitherto unexplored connection between modes of exhibiting and modes of representation. It traces a trajectory from plays that were initially performed in traditional theatres in accordance with a naturalistic play structure to plays that favour of a radical reconfiguration of visual representation. Indeed, since the beginning of the new millennium, playwrights and theatre-makers have increasingly experimented with new dramatic forms and site-specific venues, while forging collaborations with art makers and curators. The book focuses on plays from the 1980s onwards, such as Howard Barker's Scenes from an Execution, Nick Dear's The Art of Success, Alan Bennett's A Question of Attribution, Timberlake Wertenbaker's Three Birds Alighting on a Field and The Line, David Edgar's Pentecost, Martin Crimp's Attempt on Her Life, Rebecca Lenkiewicz's Shoreditch Madonna and The Painter, David Leddy's Long Live the Little Knife, and Tim Crouch's My Arm, An Oak Tree and England, and considers the vital contribution to the field made by set designers. Ultimately, through this study, we come to understand how modern drama can offer a set of interpretative tools to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the social construction of art and, furthermore, the potential of theatre and the gallery space to question our fundamental cultural assumptions and values.
Eastern Heroes 'The Clones of Bruce Lee' Special Edition Har
EASTERN HEROES 'THE CLONES OF BRUCE LEE' SPECIAL EDITIONThe authors of THE NEW ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO HONG KONG MOVIES take a deep dive into the weird, wonderful world of Bruceploitation! This cult-tastic sub-genre is getting a major boost now, thanks to the release of the fascinating, energetic Severin Films documentary ENTER THE CLONES OF BRUCE, and the accompanying Severin Films Bruceploitation Blu-ray box set, which is titled THE GAME OF CLONES! The Eastern Heroes Special Edition issue celebrates the unique charm, the cheesiness, the exciting action, and the uninhibited entertainment value that Bruceploitation movies offer with these cool features...THE MEN WHO MADE BRUCEPLOITATION SUPERCOOLDavid Gregory, Michael Worth, and Frank Djeng talk about their excellent documentary ENTER THE CLONES OF BRUCE.CLONE ACTORS PROFILESRead all about top clone stars Bruce Li, Bruce Le, Dragon Lee, and Bruce Liang!ART ATTACK!A sumptuous, colourful look at the amazing Kung Fu-themed art and Bruceploitation movie posters created by legendary comic book artist Neal Adams! BRUCEPLOITATION MOVIE REVIEWSA humongous 43-page review section (including reviews for many of the movies featured in THE GAME OF CLONES box set). Read about all the action-packed, madness-filled, pulpy plots! Feast your eyes on the accompanying stills, posters, and graphics!SAMMO HUNG - THE BEST BRUCE MIMIC!This article contends that Hong Kong movie superstar Sammo Hung is, in fact, the best Bruce Lee imitator there is!THE BLACK DRAGONAn interview with Ron Van Clief, the star of such entertaining, thrilling Bruceploitation films as KUNG FU FEVER and THE BLACK DRAGON'S REVENGE!BRUCEPLOITATION POSTER GALLERYDrool over some astounding Bruceploitation film posters, including such stunners as BRUCE LEE FIGHTS BACK FROM THE GRAVE and EXIT THE DRAGON, ENTER THE TIGER!ALL-NEW ARTWORKThis issue includes new illustrations from the king of kung fu Blu-ray cover art, Darren Wheeling, from uber-talented comic book artist Russell Fox and the mystery graphic artist known as Zilla Man!ALSO (yes, there's more!) - a special code offers 5% OFF at checkout when you buy THE GAME OF CLONES Bruceploitation box set!
For the Stage
This title is a stageplay adaptation (Acting edition) from the novel of the same name. It is a fact that all 5 men lived in Vienna at the same time - There is no historical account of the time that factually clarifies that Hitler met Trotsky, or if Stalin knew Tito, or if Freud knew any of them at all. Maybe they never did but let's just imagine for a moment that they did. For the purpose of this stage play, the question now becomes - what on earth would they have found the time to talk about... Single location / Cast: 8 - The Central Coffeehouse, Vienna. Also available from this publisher in ePub (eBook) format.
Projections of Dakar
Projections of Dakar studies the audiovisual creations and practices of twenty-first-century Senegalese filmmakers living, working, and distributing their films in urban Senegal. Although some observers have described contemporary Senegalese cinema as a dying industry, this book shows that it retains great potential. Senegalese cinematic practitioners are forging unique, dynamic responses to social challenges and producing content in innovative forms. Like contemporary Senegalese cinema, African urban centers are often perceived as sites of despair and social decay. In each chapter of this book, Devin Bryson and Molly Krueger Enz focus on a particular urban issue and analyze how Senegalese filmmakers document and reimagine it from diverse perspectives and contexts. The authors draw from interviews and ethnographic observations to center filmmakers' practices and conceptualizations of contemporary cinema in Dakar. Bryson and Enz trace developments in production, distribution, viewership, and audience response since 2012 to study how these films and their production both reveal and contribute to how people live in the city, relate to one another, build their lives, advocate for change, find joy and meaning, and build community. They also document and articulate more equitable and inclusive forms of these activities. Ultimately, the book illustrates how Senegalese filmmakers reimagine Africa as a place that will lead to a better future for its inhabitants.
Matt and His Crazy Writing Machine
DESCRIPTIONMatthew has invented a writing apparatus he hopes will help him write as fast as Jesus speaks. The pen will make its debut on the day his rabbi delivers the most influential, life-changing speech of all time. But the distractions from the crowd are endless. Can this dedicated disciple capture the wisdom for the ages? We will see in this family-friendly, full-length comedy written by international playwright Lisa Soland.________________________This is a full-length, family-friendly play produced without intermission. It requires six malesand two females.6 m, 2 fTIME: 30 A.D.PLACE: A gently sloping hillside at the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee, not far from Capernaum, on a beautiful afternoon.
Sh!t happens.
If something is going to happen, it's going to happen to me. Whether it's getting attacked by pigeons, or getting robbed on the beach, I seem to find myself in the stickiest of situations. Sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy my many mini misadventures and the lessons they've taught me along the way.
Ancient Art and Ritual
Explore the intricate tapestry of ancient art and ritual in this enlightening volume, where Jane Ellen Harrison unveils the profound connection between these two seemingly disparate domains. The book delves deep into the historical roots of art and ritual, illustrating their intertwined evolution through the lens of ancient Greek drama, particularly the festivals of Dionysus. It challenges modern perceptions of art and ritual as separate entities, arguing for their shared origin and mutual influence.In ancient Athens, attending the theater was not merely a cultural activity but a sacred ritual. The book vividly describes how Greek theater, deeply embedded in religious practice, served as both an act of worship and a community event. It contrasts this with modern practices, highlighting how far these concepts have diverged over time.Through detailed exploration of Athenian festivals, the book reveals how art and ritual coalesced, forming a critical component of spiritual and civic life. It offers a fresh perspective on the nature of art, its role in society, and its capacity to influence spiritual life.This volume is a fascinating journey into the heart of ancient civilization, providing insightful commentary on the unbreakable bond between art and ritual, and their enduring impact on our understanding of culture and spirituality.
Dr. Biscotti and the Human Condition
Dr. Biscotti and the Human Condition takes place in the office of a psychologist as he relives the story of a recent, tragic event. Throughout the play, we witness how choice and happenstance uniquely impact the course of his clients' lives.________________________This is a full-length play with adult language, requiring 3 males and two females.3 m, 2 fCHARACTERS: DR. BISCOTTI: A psychologist, 45 to 55 years old.ABBEY: A young woman in her 20s, withdrawn.STEVE: A man in his late 20s with an undercurrent of anger.SHERIE: A woman about to turn 40, beautiful.GEORGE: A man of any age, possibly 30s, about to be married. Experiencing the happiest time of his life.PLACE: Dr. Biscotti's office.TIME: ACT ONEScene 1: One Thursday, 9 am to 1 pm.Scene 2: One week later, 9 am to 12 pm.ACT TWOScene 1: One week later, 9 am to 12 pm.DR. BISCOTTI AND THE HUMAN CONDITION received its West Coast premiere at Theatre Encino in Los Angeles, California, on October 17, 2009. It was produced by Melanie Ewbank, directed by Lisa Soland, and the assistant director/stage manager was Vincent Archer. The set design was by Rustin Comer. The cast was as follows: DR. BISCOTTI played by Todd CovertABBEY played by Theodora GreeceSTEVE played by Paul CuneoSHERIE played by Michelle DeLynnGEORGE played by Scott FordDR. BISCOTTI AND THE HUMAN CONDITION was subsequently produced by Theater23, with Tom Eubanks as Founding Artistic Director, and directed by Lisa Soland at the Knoxville Convention Center, Knoxville, Tennessee, opening September 20, 2024.A staged reading of the play was presented at Pellissippi State College in Knoxville, Tennessee, on September 6, 2009, directed by Charles R. Miller. Dr. Biscotti was played by Greg Congleton, Steve by James Francis, and Sherie by Susannah Devereux.
When You Pass Over My Tomb
I remember thinking, what difference is there between donating my body to science and donating it to someone who might find pleasure in it when I'm dead. Sergio Blanco and Daniel Goldman collaborate again, after the success of their critically acclaimed Offie award-winning productions of Thebes Land and The Rage of Narcissus, to tell a mesmerising story of love and lust beyond the grave. Desire, friendship and eroticism intertwine in When You Pass Over My Tomb, a dazzling play by Latin America's leading living playwright that asks, how far would you go for love? And will the world allow it? This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere at London's Arcola Theatre in February 2024.
Blue Beard
When someone tells you not to look, OPEN THE BLOODY DOOR! Blue Beard the Magician makes hearts flutter and pupils dilate. With a wink, a stroke and a flick - things just seem to vanish. Cards, coins, scarves... and women. Puff! Gone. Without a trace. He meets his match when his young bride discovers his dark and murderous secret. She summons all her rage, all her smarts and all her sisters to bring the curtain down on his tyrannous reign. Emma Rice brings her own brand of theatrical wonder to this most beguiling and disturbing of tales. With her signature sleight of hand, Blue Beard explores curiosity and consent, violence and vengeance - all through an intoxicating lens of music, wit and tender truth. Written by Emma Rice, this edition was published to coincide with Wise Children's 2024 tour, in a co-production with Birmingham Rep, HOME Manchester, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, and York Theatre Royal.
Identity, Culture, and the Science Performance, Volume 1
Identity, Culture, and the Science Performance, Volume 1: From the Lab to the Streets is the first of two volumes dedicated to the diverse sociocultural work of science-oriented performance. A dynamic volume of scholarly essays, interviews with scientists and artists, and creative entries, it examines explicitly public-facing science performances that operate within and for specialist and non-specialist populations. The book's chapters trace the theatrical and ethical contours of live science events, re-enact historical stagings of scientific expertise, and demonstrate the pedagogical and activist potentials in performing science in community settings. Alongside the scholarly chapters, From the Lab to the Streets features creative work by contemporary science-integrative artists and interviews with popular science communicators Sahana Srinivasan (host of Netflix's Brainchild) and Raven Baxter ("Raven the Science Maven") and artists from performance ensembles The Olimpias and Superhero Clubhouse. In exploring the science performance as a vital but flawed method of public engagement, it offers a critique of the racist, ableist, sexist, and heteronormative ideologies prevalent across the history of science, as well as highlighting science performances that challenge and redress these ideologies. Along with its complementary volume From the Curious to the Quantum, this book documents the varied ways in which identity categories and cultural constructs are formed and reformed through science performances.
Acting Professionally
Filled with essential advice and highlighting pitfalls to avoid, Acting Professionally gives a clear understanding of how acting careers are built and sustained. Now in its 9th edition, this book has become the leading book in the field since the first edition published in 1972.Critically, this new edition reflects the vital changes in the industry as a result of the Black Lives Matter, Time's Up and MeToo movements, and the Covid-19 pandemic. This new edition acknowledges and seeks to address the challenges of the industry often faced by actors when it comes to race, ethnicity, gender, diversity, and sexuality. It includes an extensive new section on the industry to reflect the 21st century, including signposting new resources and insights for the young actor, and considers the shifting landscape and opportunities offered by TV streaming, films, voiceover, internet, audiobooks, and podcasts. This 9th edition speaks to the changed landscape of unions, representation, self-tape auditioning and other best and up to date practices in the industry, ensuring that it's a book that's useful, relevant and accessible to every actor starting out today.
The Craft of Screen Acting
Have you been working as an actor, but want to refine your craft and take your performance to the next level? Or do you want to transition from stage to screen acting and would like to better understand the skills required? In this essential book for actors, Amanda Brennan offers a specifically psychophysical approach to screen acting, which provides an understanding of the body as the springboard for creative exploration. Starting with understanding your own instrument, you will learn how to prepare and tune the body for creative work. This is followed by strategies for the refinement of craft, including exercises on voice, movement, character development and rehearsal processes for screen. Experienced actors, directors, casting directors and industry professionals, such as Asa Butterfield (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Hugo, Sex Education), Noah Jupe (Honey Boy, The Quiet Place, The UnDoing), Janis Pugh (Chuck Chuck Baby) and James Kent (Testament of Youth, The Aftermath) and Rebecca Lloyd offer their comments and share invaluable experiences throughout the book.
Into Abolitionist Theatre
Seeking to transform community-based theatre-making, this book explores the transformative potential of abolitionist theatre, as theatre artists and teachers collaborate with marginalized communities to challenge systems of oppression and inspire profound societal change.
Directing the Play
Numerous books have been written on the art of directing from the classical to contemporary times. Many of these works have concentrated on different facets of the discipline of directing such as the definition, history, and development of directing, as well as the qualities, functions, and types of directors. However, areas of directing that have not received much scholarly attention include works that serve as manuals for budding directors and studies that reflect the theory and practice of directing in Africa, especially from Nigerian theatre practitioners. While studies on directing, such as Wainstein's 'Stage Directing: A Director's Itinerary' (2012), Dean and Carra's 'Fundamentals of Play Directing' (2009), and Johnson's 'Visions Towards a Mission: The Art of Interpretative Directing' (2003), provide general insights on the art of directing plays, Emasealu's 'The Theatre of Ola Rotimi: Production and Performance Dynamics' (2010) and Uwatt's 'Playwriting and Directing in Nigeria: Interviews with Ola Rotimi' (2004), document the directorial practice of the Nigerian director, Ola Rotimi. Aside from documenting the directing techniques of key Western directors, this book's advantage over existing works is that it documents the directorial styles of Ola Rotimi and other West African directors, as well as the directorial techniques of directors from South, North, and East Africa. It also traces the evolution of the theatre stage, examines the directorial implications of the arena, proscenium, thrust, traverse and African traditional theatre stage orientations, and engages the notions of blocking, movement, directorial concept and directorial approach.In particular, this book aspires to contribute to the discourse on play directing with perspectives from African theatre. It also fills gaps in previous studies by delving into the notions of theatre and directing, the director's history, qualities, and tools. It examines types of directors, functions of the director, directing principles, and key Western and African theories of performance. It also evaluates the history of the theatre stage, the characteristics, benefits and drawbacks, and directorial implications of the arena stage, proscenium stage, thrust stage, traverse stage, African traditional theatre stage, the use of blocking, movement, and the meaning of directorial concept and directorial approach.
The Triumph of Moriarty
To quote Sherlock Holmes, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact." Perhaps this is the reason why, since the Reign of Queen Victoria, lovers of Sherlock have puzzled over the FACT that it's possible, and even likely, that Moriarty also survived the Reichenbach Falls. Using clues that exist in Doyle's original cannon, let us now deduce the TRUTH of how these famous events have come to pass in the singularly exciting, the sinisterly mind-bending, The TRIUMPH of MORIARTY! "If an account of that silent contest could be written, it would take its place as the GREATEST piece of thrust-and-parry work in the History of DETECTION." - Sherlock Holmes, The Final Problem. The TRIUMPH of MORIARTY is a live radio play, or, 'Theatre of the MIND' with a cast starring: Moriarty, Moran, Mycroft, Sherlock, Watson & The Narrator, with the invaluable assistance of Moran's men, a Police Officer, a Messenger at the Train, Peter Steiler the Elder, a Swiss Messenger Boy, a Voice on Park Lane, Lestrade, and a Prison Guard.
The 15 Minute Daily Actors Workout Six Months Volume Two
SIX MONTHS VOLUME TWO - THE 15 MINUTE DAILY ACTORS WORKOUT Success in any high-level career hinges on one crucial habit: consistent practice. The 15 Minute Daily Actors Workout distills this crucial principle into daily exercises, keeping your tools sharp while building the habits of a successful working actor."A first-of-its-kind daily workout for new and seasoned actors.""Break free from the myth of overnight success""In the chaotic world of acting, this book is your anchor.Dedicate just 15 minutes a day and discover the strength of habitual practice and the impact it has on your career." Your tools as an actor are either getting sharper or becoming dull. It's one or the other. A professional athlete trains every day. A doctor goes to school for almost a decade and then practices their craft while they work. They consistently train their skills and improve their methods, day in, day out. Success in any high-level career hinges on one crucial habit: consistent practice. This book is for those of you who know how great you can be and want to become masterful at your craft. For those of you who want to be ready when that opportunity arrives, so that one day when they say how lucky you are, you know the truth..."Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Seneca. That is our aim with these workouts. Discover the Magic of Habitual Practice with Your Copy of The 15 Minute Daily Actors Workout!Order Now!
The 15 Minute Daily Actors Workout Six Months Volume One
SIX MONTHS VOLUME ONE - THE 15 MINUTE DAILY ACTORS WORKOUT Success in any high-level career hinges on one crucial habit: consistent practice. The 15 Minute Daily Actors Workout distills this crucial principle into daily exercises, keeping your tools sharp while building the habits of a successful working actor."A first-of-its-kind daily workout for new and seasoned actors.""Break free from the myth of overnight success""In the chaotic world of acting, this book is your anchor.Dedicate just 15 minutes a day and discover the strength of habitual practice and the impact it has on your career." Your tools as an actor are either getting sharper or becoming dull. It's one or the other. A professional athlete trains every day. A doctor goes to school for almost a decade and then practices their craft while they work. They consistently train their skills and improve their methods, day in, day out. Success in any high-level career hinges on one crucial habit: consistent practice. This book is for those of you who know how great you can be and want to become masterful at your craft. For those of you who want to be ready when that opportunity arrives, so that one day when they say how lucky you are, you know the truth..."Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Seneca. That is our aim with these workouts. Discover the Magic of Habitual Practice with Your Copy of The 15 Minute Daily Actors Workout!Order Now!
Possession
Premiering at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival, Andrzej Żulawski's Possession remains a distinct phenomenon. Though in competition for the illustrious Palme d'Or, its art cinema context did not rescue it from being banned as part of the United Kingdom's 'video nasties' campaign, alongside unashamedly lowbrow titles such as Faces of Death and Zombie Flesh Eaters. Skirting the boundary between art and exploitation, body horror and cerebral reverie, relationship drama and political statement, Possession is a truly astonishing film. Part visceral horror, part surreal experiment, part gothic romance dressed in the iconography of a spy thriller: there is no doubt that the polarity evinced by Possession's initial release was in part a product of its resistance to clear categorisation.With a production history almost as bizarre as the film itself, a cult following gained with its VHS release, and being re-appreciated in the decades since as a valuable work of auteur cinema, the story of how this film came to be is as fascinating as it is unfathomable. Alison Taylor's Devil's Advocate considers Possession's history, stylistic achievement, and legacy as an enduring and unique work of horror cinema. Beginning with a marital breakdown and ending with an apocalypse, the film's strangeness has not dissipated over time; its transgressive imagery, histrionic performances, and spiral staircase logic remain affective and confounding to critics and fans alike. Respecting the film's wilfully enigmatic nature, this book helps to unpack its key threads, including the collision between the banal and the horrific, the socio-historical context of its divided Berlin setting, and the significance of its legacy, particularly with regard to the contemporary trend for extreme art horror on the festival circuit.
The Wicker Man
Many fans of Robin Hardy's The Wicker Man (1973) may know that this classic is considered a fine sample of folk horror. Few will consider that it's also a prime example of holiday horror. Holiday horror draws its energy from the featured festive day, here May Day. Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward), a "Christian copper," is lured to the remote Scottish island Summerisle where, hidden from the eyes of all, a thriving Celtic, pagan religion holds sway. His arrival at the start of the May Day celebration is no accident. The clash between religions, fought on the landscape of the holiday, drives the story to its famous conclusion.In this Devil's Advocate, Steve A. Wiggins delineates what holiday horror is and surveys various aspects of "the Citizen Kane of horror movies" that utilize the holiday. Beginning with a brief overview of Beltane and how May Day has been celebrated, this study considers the role of sexuality and fertility in the film. Conflicting with Howie's Christian principles, this leads to an exploration of his theology as contrasted with that of Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) and his tenants. Such differences in belief make the fiery ending practically inevitable.
Chain Reaction
A series of 16 stand-alone chapters revisit pop/rock history viewed through a prism of causality highlighting previously overlooked or obscure timeline moments crucial to the stories of the Sixties and Seventies greatest bands, singers, and songs playing out in the way they did. This fresh take on the Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Dylan, Bowie, and others provides substantial information when required, with occasional light humour as a new slant on events is revealed. "Chain Reaction" offers something different, something potentially giving even well-versed aficionados pause for thought, while taking a magnifying glass to the sometimes faint and slender lines of linkage mapping rock 'n' pop's connections.
It Chapters One and Two
Drawing on critical analysis of film, the horror genre, the Gothic, and Stephen King scholarship, this book considers Andy Muschietti's IT Chapter One (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019) on multiple levels: as film (both as individual films and through their interconnected narrative), as adaptation, and as a barometer of the horror film's popularity among fans. Key points of consideration include the significance of the fictional town of Derry as a traditionally Gothic "bad place," the role of 1980s nostalgia in these two films, the complex navigation of memory and trauma, gender representation, queer representation, and the return of the repressed. The terrifying figure of Pennywise the clown is central to this analysis, including consideration of performance, costuming, and significance within the larger landscape of the "scary clown" popular culture trope, and through comparison to Tim Curry's iconic performance in Tommy Lee Wallace's 1990 miniseries. This Devil's Advocate contextualizes Muschietti's films within the larger landscape of King's literary and popular culture influence, as well as the debate surrounding "elevated" horror and the "horror boom" of the late 2010s.
Fighting for the Future
The first two seasons of Star Trek: Discovery, the newest instalment in the long-running and influential Star Trek franchise, received media and academic attention from the moment they arrived on screen. Discovery makes several key changes to Star Trek's well-known narrative formulae, particularly the use of more serialized storytelling, appealing to audiences' changed viewing habits in the streaming age - and yet the storylines, in their topical nature and the broad range of socio-political issues they engage with, continue in the political vein of the series' megatext. This volume brings together eighteen essays and one interview about the series, with contributions from a variety of disciplines including cultural studies, literary studies, media studies, fandom studies, history and political science. They explore representations of gender, sexuality and race, as well as topics such as shifts in storytelling and depictions of diplomacy. Examining Discovery alongside older entries into the Star Trek canon and tracing emerging continuities and changes, this volume will be an invaluable resource for all those interested in Star Trek and science fiction in the franchise era.List of contributors: Sherryl Vint, Andrea Whiteacre, Torsten Kathke, John Andreas Fuchs, Ina Batzke, Sarah B繹hlau, Will Tattersdill, Kerstin-Anja M羹nderlein, Diana Mafe, Whit Frazier Peterson, Henrik Schillinger, Arne S繹nnichsen, Judith Rauscher, Amy C. Chambers, Mareike Spychala, Sabrina Mittermeier, Jennifer Volkmer, Si Sophie Pages Whybrew and Lisa Meinecke.
The Wicker Man
Many fans of Robin Hardy's The Wicker Man (1973) may know that this classic is considered a fine sample of folk horror. Few will consider that it's also a prime example of holiday horror. Holiday horror draws its energy from the featured festive day, here May Day. Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward), a "Christian copper," is lured to the remote Scottish island Summerisle where, hidden from the eyes of all, a thriving Celtic, pagan religion holds sway. His arrival at the start of the May Day celebration is no accident. The clash between religions, fought on the landscape of the holiday, drives the story to its famous conclusion.In this Devil's Advocate, Steve A. Wiggins delineates what holiday horror is and surveys various aspects of "the Citizen Kane of horror movies" that utilize the holiday. Beginning with a brief overview of Beltane and how May Day has been celebrated, this study considers the role of sexuality and fertility in the film. Conflicting with Howie's Christian principles, this leads to an exploration of his theology as contrasted with that of Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) and his tenants. Such differences in belief make the fiery ending practically inevitable.
The Regal Throne -- Power, Politics and Ribaldry
If, advised essayist and critic William Hazlitt, we wish to know the force of human genius we should read Shakespeare. For if anyone profoundly understood the human condition in all its forms, it was he. Lovably drunken rogues, dysfunctional kings, cowardly preening braggarts, to nobly inspiring heroes. The remarkable series of plays engaged in under The Regal Throne moves from high political intrigue to lowlife bar-room badinage. From self-indulgent regal decline to elevated and inspirational kingly valour. From adolescent delinquency and father-son tensions to exaltedly noble redemption. The playwright launches us on our journey with the narcissistic Richard, rapidly sowing seeds of his own decline with his callously imperious behaviour. And the ruthlessly astute Bolingbroke returning from his banishment to take the sovereign's Crown and then his life. But Bolingbroke as Henry IV has little chance to enjoy his prize. For his tyranny breeds rebellion. Meanwhile in Cheapside, (and to his father's chagrin), the future Henry V, as adolescent Prince Hal, disports himself in seedy taverns amongst a gallery of Hogarthian lowlifes (including the comedic heavyweight Falstaff), while quietly planning a shrewdly redemptive personal remake as the exemplary war hero, Henry V. A rich tapestry indeed. But whilst Shakespeare's early modern English is reasonably understandable, many words and references aren't. For slang is constantly shape-shifting. And, particularly with Shakespeare's bar-room banter, it's helpful to know just what the characters are saying to and about each other. The author explains each scene of all four plays in detail with copious quotations from Shakespeare's text throughout and substantial hypertext explanatory notes. The Regal Throne is an invaluable companion for all who set sail on this vibrant Shakespearean voyage into power, politics, and ribaldry.
Poltergeist
'Created' by Steven Spielberg yet officially directed by Tobe Hooper, Poltergeist (1982) can be best described as 'family horror movie' both in its target audience and in its narrative context, the story of an All-American suburban family, the Freelings, whose home suddenly becomes the site of a spectacular haunting, apparently summoned by their young daughter. The film is somewhat of an anachronism and this Devil's Advocate explores this in both the scope of production and narrative.The book discusses the duality of the text highlighting debates surrounding both Spielberg's somewhat saccharine portrayal of middle-class Americana and his more subversive cinematic endeavours. The duality of the text also will also be discussed in the context of the film's production - with both Spielberg and Hooper on set for much of the time, the result was a movie with the production values, effects and marketing of a high budget mainstream cinema blockbuster apparently directed by a subversive 'grindhouse' cinema auteur. Yet Poltergeist is neither nor both of those things, instead being a unique hybrid of genres and styles taking the best and worst from both aspects of family blockbuster and cult horror film, and as such can be seen as a text that is something unique - a classic modern take on the traditional haunted house story.
Minority Report
Charting new territory in filmmaking technologies and Steven Spielberg's oeuvre, Minority Report (2002) portrays a dystopian near-future that comments on our increasingly science-fictional world and pays homage to the history of SF cinema. In this comprehensive monograph, D. Harlan Wilson recounts the film's inception, production, reception, and afterlife since its release in 2002 while depicting it as a symptom of contemporary media pathology, post-9/11 paranoia, consumer-capitalist aggression, religious mania, and above all, the screen culture that has come to define the human condition. At the same time, Wilson explores the many self-reflexive flourishes that render the movie a commentary on Spielberg's style and the precession of the SF genre.
Daring Adaptations, Creative Failures and Experimental Performances in Iberian Theatre
In this volume, we are particularly interested in approaching theatre and performance as a dynamic and evolving practice of continuous change, regeneration and cultural mobility. Neither the dramatic texts nor their stage versions should be viewed as finished products but as creative processes in the making. Their richness lies in their unfinished and never-ending potential energy and their openness to constant revision, rehearsal, revival, and collective enterprise. This edited collection aims to create a dialogue on the artistic processes implicated in the various ways of working with the play text, the staging practices, the way audiences and critical reception can impact a production, and the many lives of Iberian theatre beyond the page or the stage. That is, its cultural and social legacies.
Broadened Horizons
This is a unique book which is multidisciplinary in the sense that it discusses a variety of genres which cut across film studies, literature and cartoons. The combination of emerging and renowned scholars' writing in one anthology makes it an interesting book to add to your collection. I commend the editors for the meticulous selection of the essays to include to this anthology. (Professor Evangeline Bonisiwe Zungu, African Languages, University of the Witwatersrand) If you are looking for a book that delves into South African literary issues in texts of various types, like films, novels and television programs, this is the book you are looking for. Each topic covered has been thoroughly and logically researched and presents comprehensive and balanced arguments. It will really broaden your understanding of literary devices that make South African literature and African literature so rich and meaningful. Though the book focuses on the analysis of different texts under discussion, one other aspect that makes each chapter an interesting read is the fact that before each detailed analysis, the authors provide you with a clear, interesting synopsis of the book or film being presented so that by the end of the read you have been taken through the story or film in its deepest and broadest form. Broadened Horizons is an academic text that caters for various literary interests - poetry, drama, films and creative media. (Dr Choice D Mpanza, Senior Lecturer, English Studies, University of South Africa) This book discusses three types of creative output in South Africa that are often considered as independent of each other. One section explores traditional literary genres; another examines different South African films, focusing on different themes; and the final section discusses creative media, specifically cartoons. This collection of critical essays broadens the readers' knowledge and understanding of African-language literature by including literary analysis, film analysis and cartoon interpretation in one volume.
Broadway Investing 101
Have you ever thought about investing in a Broadway show? Or wondered how it worked? Ever imagine what it would be like to have been an investor in Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, or even Hamilton?Broadway investing, while without a doubt a high-risk investment, can be a fun, fulfilling and yes, even a profitable experience. That's why I often call investing in Broadway shows, "The riskiest investment you'll love to make." Despite the risks, it is possible to find and invest in shows that turn a profit if you understand the mechanics of Broadway investing and follow my simple strategies of screening your investments, which I teach in this book. These strategies are the same methods that I use to choose my own investments, and are why I'm currently "beating the market" compared to the average success rates on Broadway, while supporting and advancing the art form I love at the same time.In this book you'll learn: -They myths of Broadway investing.-How to get started investing in Broadway for less than you think.-Who to talk to and where to find Broadway investment opportunities.-How to mitigate your risk and increase your chance for profitability.-All the perks you should get when you invest and how to get even more.What most people don't realize is that placing your bet on Broadway is a lot like investing in a restaurant, a piece of art, or frankly, in any entrepreneurial start-up. And if you treat Broadway like a business, do the proper due diligence, and avoid the common mistakes that many first-timers and seasoned investors make (which can result in quick and disappointing losses), Broadway investing can be a very rewarding experience in many ways. The next Hamilton is out there. And we're going to help you find it.
The Art of Broadsword Fighting for Stage and Screen
The Art of Broadsword Fighting for Stage and Screen provides historical and contemporary techniques and styles for the safe training and use of the European broadsword in a theatrical setting.
The Mousetrap
'Even more thrilling than the plot is the atmosphere of shuddering suspense . . . No one brews it better than Agatha Christie' Daily Express For more than 70 years, Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap has kept millions of people, from every corner of the globe, on the edge of their seats, and it continues to be a sell-out hit of London theatre. This brand new edition of the world's longest-running play contains a new introduction by Sophie Hannah, bestselling author of the authorised Agatha Christie Poirot continuation novels, as well as the official play script and a host of exclusive material from the show's archives. As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves in a remote countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover - to their horror - that a killer is in their midst. One by one, the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts. Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim? And can you solve this world-famous mystery for yourself? This beautiful 70th anniversary edition contains an introduction by Sophie Hannah, the official playscript, an exclusive interview with producer Adam Spiegel, a treasure trove of letters, speeches, photographs, and other fascinating insights into the making of this iconic play.
Hurricane Diane
Meet Diane a permaculture gardener dripping with butch charm. She's got supernatural abilities owing to her true identity--the Greek god Dionysus--and she's returned to the modern world to gather mortal followers and restore the Earth to its natural state. Where better to begin than with four housewives in a suburban New Jersey cul-de-sac? In this Obie-winning comedy with a twist Pulitzer Prize finalist Madeleine George pens a hilarious evisceration of the blind eye we all turn to climate change and the bacchanalian catharsis that awaits us even in our own backyards.
Booked
There are many unwritten rules in the film industry, many of which actors only learn through experience. After years of being her daughter's manager and greatest supporter, Gloria Iatridis shares her insights on being a parent to a child actor in Booked, combining advice for the parent with a child actor with memoirs of her and Olivia's experiences in the industry.Although Gloria encourages parents to support their children's passions, there are many things a parent should be aware of before entering the film industry. Together with Olivia, she shares information from an Indigenous perspective on how to support a child actor through their budding career, covering a broad range of topics such as: - How to stay safe in the film industry- Finding an agent- Auditions and callbacks- Payment and contracts- Representation, diversity, and inclusion- Balancing acting work and personal life for both parent and childThe Iatridises write to make sure both parents and children are prepared for the hard work and dedication necessary for a career as a child actor-and to celebrate all the victories that come with acting too.
In the Upper Room
"IN THE UPPER ROOM" is a biblical one-act drama that theatricalizes the events surrounding the Passover meal Jesus shared with his disciples the night before he was crucified. This high-energy play can utilize as many as 13 male actors. In the third original production, the director used both men and women to make up the 13 cast members.
