Acting for Singers: Creating Believable Singing Characters

Acting for Singers: Creating Believable Singing Characters

Written to meet the needs of thousands of students and pre-professional singers participating in production workshops and classes in opera and musical theater, <em>Acting for Singers</em> leads singing performers step by step from the studio or classroom through audition and rehearsals to a successful performance. Using a clear, systematic, positive approach, this practical guide explains how to analyze a script or libretto, shows how to develop a character building on material in the score, and gives the singing performer the tools to act believably. More than just a "how-to" acting book, however, <em>Acting for Singers</em> also addresses the problems of concentration, trust, projection, communication, and the self-doubt that often afflicts singers pursuing the goal of believable performance. Part I establishes the basic principles of acting and singing together, and teaches the reader how to improvise as a key tool to explore and develop characters. Part II teaches the singer how to analyze theatrical work for rehearsing and performing. Using concrete examples from <em>Carmen</em> and <em>West Side Story,</em> and imaginative exercises following each chapter, this text teaches all singers how to be effective singing actors.<br>