Alexander Technique for Actors: A Practical Course

by Penny O'Connor

Overview

The Alexander Technique has revolutionised the physicality, presence, stature and professional lives of generations of actors. By first asking you to identify your own acquired habits, the technique enables you to find new and beneficial ways of moving, thinking, breathing and performing, freely and without unnecessary tension. Written by an experienced teacher of the Alexander Technique, this book takes you step by step through a series of eleven guided lessons, and dozens of exercises and assignments. Each explores different elements and principles of the technique, including: - Training your mind to stay present, and mindful of your environment- Thinking (but not overthinking!) in new ways- Observing and developing your natural poise - Sitting, standing and walking easily and effortlessly- Breathing and speaking with release and relaxation- Applying all of your work to characterisation and performance

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781788503853
Publisher:	Hern, Nick Books
Publication date:	07/22/2021
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Penny O'Connor trained and worked as an actor before becoming a full-time teacher of the Alexander Technique in 1992. She has taught at several London drama schools including ArtsEd, where she was resident for eighteen years, and is a member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Beginners, Please! 1

How to use this book

Lesson 1 The Power of Habit 9

The nature of habit, discovering our own, and learning how to let go

Lesson 2 It's the Thought That Counts 31

Experimenting with different ways of thinking

Lesson 3 Alexander's Technique 57

Alexander's story and principles

Lesson 4 Walk Tall! 89

Experiments in walking

Lesson 5 Eloquence with Elegance 115

Experiments in sitting and speaking conversationally

Lesson 6 The Tottering Biped Speaks! 139

Experiments in standing and speaking publicly

Lesson 7 The Balancing Act Continues 163

Experiments in speaking powerfully and emotionally

Lesson 8 Let the Breath Move You 187

Belief systems of breathing, mapping the breathing mechanisms, and experiments to free it all up

Lesson 9 Effortless Movement 209

Floating upstairs and downstairs, in and out of chairs, and a voyage around your arms

Lesson 10 The Transformational Vortex and Other Acting Fun 235

Applying the work to characterisation and performance

Lesson 11 That's a Wrap! Time for the After-show Party… 253

Reviewing and assessing how far you've come and where to go from here

Acknowledgements 263

Notes and References 265

Appendices 271

A Audio Script for Lying in Semi-supine 273

B Drawing of the Outline of the Body 278

C The Moon Like a Bone in the Sky: A Happening 279

D Answers to the Body Mapping Quiz 283

E The Alexander Principles 285

F Some Alexander Organisations and Websites 288

List of Exercises 289