| Part 1: The Acting Bug | | 1 | (52) |
| | 3 | (10) |
| Discover why the acting bug can strike at any age, as well as the many possibilities open to you |
| |
| | 13 | (10) |
| Find out about grade school pageants and historical plays for the youngest actors |
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| | 23 | (10) |
| Learn about using your time so that you can play sports and be in the school play at the same time |
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| | 33 | (10) |
| Recognize that college acting can enhance your education and be valuable for the future |
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| A Place in Your Community |
| | 43 | (10) |
| Explore the pleasures and rewards of acting in community theater |
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| Part 2: Skills of the Theater | | 53 | (56) |
| | 55 | (12) |
| Recognize your natural gifts for speaking, singing, and movement |
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| | 67 | (10) |
| Find out about acting, singing, and dancing classes, as well as the value of special talents |
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| | 77 | (10) |
| Discover the many ways you can increase your knowledge of acting by reading, attending plays and movies, and just by looking around you |
| |
| | 87 | (12) |
| Learn why experience is so important, and why even playing small parts or working backstage is valuable |
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| | 99 | (10) |
| 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 |
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| Part 3: Oh, Those Auditions | | 109 | (66) |
| | 111 | (8) |
| Learn how to put together a resume and picture package that will make a strong impression at auditions |
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| Know What They're Looking For |
| | 119 | (12) |
| Find out how to choose the right parts to read for and deal with the terrors of ``cold'' readings |
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| | 131 | (12) |
| Learn the in-and-outs of choosing audition songs that will maximize your talent and let you stand out from the crowd |
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| | 143 | (10) |
| Discover the secrets of what to wear to auditions |
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| | 153 | (10) |
| Learn the rules of how to behave at auditions, and why those judging you have got their problems, too |
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| | 163 | (12) |
| Understand the reasons why casting decisions take time, and find out how to cope with the wait |
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| Part 4: Rehearsal Rigors | | 175 | (58) |
| | 177 | (10) |
| Find out why rehearsal schedules are so complicated, and how to deal with problems when they arise |
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| | 187 | (12) |
| Discover the rules of blocking, the best ways to memorize your lines, and when to ask questions |
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| | 199 | (10) |
| Explore how relationships between cast members work and how to deal with backstage gossip |
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| | 209 | (10) |
| Learn about the importance of the director's notes, when to argue, and how to cope with directorial mistakes |
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| | 219 | (14) |
| Find out about ways to fine-tune your performance, and how to be a giving actor who makes everyone look better |
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| Part 5: ``We Open Next Thursday'' | | 233 | (60) |
| | 235 | (12) |
| Learn all about the importance of costumes, and what to do when you run into costume problems |
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| | 247 | (12) |
| Understand the importance of the technical crew, and learn how to deal with tech rehearsals |
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| | 259 | (12) |
| Explore the ups-and-downs of dress rehearsals, and learn about that all-important curtain call |
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| | 271 | (10) |
| Experience the nervous thrills of opening night and find out how to deal with all those compliments |
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| | 281 | (12) |
| Learn how to take reviews-good or bad-with a grain of salt, and give the audience your best at every performance |
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| Part 6: What Is a Professional? | | 293 | (54) |
| Experience and Dependability |
| | 295 | (10) |
| Understand why many community theater actors are professionals in terms of skill, even though they don't have a union card |
| |
| | 305 | (10) |
| Find out about the possibility of being paid small sums to act in community theater, and how to negotiate for payment of some kind |
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| | 315 | (10) |
| Explore the reasons for and against making acting your career |
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| | 325 | (22) |
| Get the facts on how to become a member of the major acting unions, should you decide on a professional career |
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| Appendixes | |
| A Stage Directions Glossary |
| | 335 | (4) |
| B Acting School Directory |
| | 339 | (4) |
| C Play and Sheet Music Sources |
| | 343 | (2) |
| | 345 | (2) |
| Index | | 347 | |
