The Singing and Acting Handbook - Games and Exercises for the Performer

"Singing and Acting has something for everyone the book represents a collection of great advice on all aspects of performance" ~ Anne B. Wilson, Speech and Drama

This book is an unique resource which directly addresses all performers who sing and act, whether in opera, musical theatre or music-theatre

By looking beyond the separate acts of singing and acting the performer builds up a greater awareness of how the two interrelate to form a single powerful expression

Using games, exercises and discussion, The Singing and Acting Handbook takes a stimulating approach to the demands made upon today's performers, and will equip both the experienced professional and the student to take full advantage of rehearsal and performance

With advice on approaches to learning music, interpreting scores, and building characters, it provides a long-awaited innovative resource for performers, directors, workshop leaders and teachers

Contents ...

Preface Acknowledgements

Part One: Introduction Chapter 1

Singing and Acting in Performance Introduction
Music and Drama
The Structure of Sung Theatre, The Past, the Present and the Challenge of Terminology
The Performer
The Fundamental Disciplines
Using the Exercises
The workshop Process
The Leader and the Workshop Process

Part Two - The Exercises

Chapter 2. The Fundamental Disciplines

Preparing the Ground, Relaxation
Exercise 1, Dissociation
Exercise 2, Visualisation
Exercises 3-4, Warming Up
Exercises 5-6, Energising
Exercises 7-14, Concentration
Exercises 15-23, Awareness
Exercises 24-39, Imagination and Spontaneity
Exercises 40-47

Chapter 3. Rhythm, Pulse and Time Rhythm and Time

Exercise 48, Pulse
Exercises 49-60, Musical Structure
Exercises 61-64, Suspending a Moment
Exercises 65-68
Exercises 69, Using Rhythm and Pulse to Create Emotion

Chapter 4. Music, Text and the Score Approaching the Score

Learning the Score, Interpreting the Score
Exercise 70, The Relationship Between Text and Music
Exercises 71-75, Exploring the Sound and Word Association
Exercises 76-79, Being Present
Exercises 80-86, Dialogue, Recitative and Heightened Text
Exercises 87-92

Chapter 5. Character and Emotion Character

Music and Character
Exercises 93-99, Acting in Sung Theatre
Exercises 100-101, Gesture
Exercises 102-106, Eye Language and Focus
Exercises 107-108, Emotion
Exercises 109-119

Chapter 6

Conclusion Appendix Bibliography Index of Games and Exercises by Title