Product Description

Script Analysis for Actors, Directors, and Designers applies directly to the experience of theatrical production. You will immediately be able to inforporate the concepts and processes you learn into both your practical and creative work. Whether you are an actor, a director, or a designer, you will benefit from clear and comprehensive examples, end-of-chapter questions, and summaries meant to stimulate their creative process as they engage in production work.

Based on the premise that plays should be objects of study in and of themselves, Script Analysis for Actors, Directors, and Designers teaches an established system of classifications that examines the written part of a play. This fourth edition will include in-depth analysis of unconventional plays, which are more frequent on amateur and professional stages. These plays present unique analytical challenges that the author teaches you the unusual ways in which the subject matter operates in unconventional plays.

* Each chapter has comprehensive examples, end-of-chapter questions, and summaries to stimulate your creative process
* NEW focus on unconventional plays
* Expanded information on Action Analysis
* NEW appendix with helpful forms for Action Analysis and Formalist Analysis

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #55357 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 392 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780240810492
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
"James Thomas has written a great resource book for anyone creating theatre. The information is detailed, clear, and easily applicable to text analysis for actors, directors, and designers." --Barbara Anger, Ithaca College

"This book has been overwhelmingly effective in meeting the goals I set for this course." --Perry Crafton, West Texas A&M University

From the Publisher
This book applies directly to the experience of theatrical production; students will immediately be able to relate the concepts and procedures they learn to their artistic work. The author's procedural method is detailed and precise. The parts of a play are learned progressively, which fosters an understanding of the concept of artistic unity. Examples are clear and comprehensive. Actors, directors, and designers will benefit from end-of-chapter questions and summaries meant to stimulate their creative process as they engage in production work.

An updated appendix includes introductions to additional critical theories in widest use today. Examples from contemporary theatre, including three plays written since 1990, bring this edition completely up-to-date.

From the Back Cover
Based on the premise that plays are objects of study in and of themselves Script Analysis for Actors, Directors, and Designers, Second Edition teaches a traditional system of classifications that examines the written part of a play, excluding such considerations as performance, scenery, or costuming.

This book applies directly to the experience of theatrical production; students will immediately be able to relate the concepts and procedures they learn to their artistic work. The author's procedural method is detailed and precise. The parts of a play are learned progressively, which fosters an understanding of the concept of artistic unity. Examples are clear and comprehensive. Actors, directors, and designers will benefit from end-of-chapter questions and summaries meant to stimulate their creative process as they engage in production work.

An updated appendix includes introductions to additional critical theories in widest use today. Examples from contemporary theatre, including three plays written since 1990, bring this edition completely up-to-date.

James Thomas is Chairman of the Department of Theatre at Wayne State University, and Artistic Director of the Hilberry Repertory Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. He holds a Ph.D. in Theatre History and Criticism from the University of Texas at Austin and has taught at Mount Holyoke College, Marquette University, and the School of Theatre at Florida State University, where he was Associate Dean. He is the author of The Art of the Actor-Manager: Wilson Barrett and the Victorian Theatre (UMI Research Press) and has directed extensively both professionally and in colleges and universities. Dr. Thomas is currently translating the writings of Anatoly Efros, a leading director in contemporary Russian theatre.

Customer Reviews

An Excellent Resource for Professionals and Students alike...
Thomas's book gives pragmatic and sensible solutions to artists as they endeavor to create theatre at all levels. Guiding the reader through the literal, figurative, and functional ways drama exists in the written form, this book gives practical solutions to the problems and questions that arise whenever theatre work is done, providing a tangible connection between the word and the performance. A must have for the reading library of any serious theatre maker.

Good but a little long winded and confusing
It is long winded because it is comprehensive and will be a great deal of help once I am done. But it will take time.
It is confusing because I am a little confused at one part "The seed". The author did not specify if the seed of a play is always about the point of view of idealism. But I have an inkling that is not because all plays are different and I suppose they have different main points. This book clears up the definitions in drama (which are all too often confusing) It also cover fallacies that readers of plays often make, thereby impeding correct understanding of a play.

The rest of the chapters cover theme, super-objective, formalist analysis and etc. It will be invaluable to those who are poor in script analysis and probably unseen prose. (I really hope so because my school is so inept)

This book is not for the simple-minded.
My brain was numb after the four hours I sat reading and taking down notes.
I am going to continue because my stupid literature and drama teachers in my school is doing squat!

By: A secondary 2 student, age 14

Insightful
This book is very informative, insightful & wise. Just what I needed to further my knowledge and skill!