Break a Leg
by Lise Friedman

Why Your Theatrical Child Will Enjoy Break a Leg

Lise Friedman's book is a guide book for the young person interested in the theater. Within these pages are theater games and improvisations as well as instructions on how to do warm-ups, stretches, and breathing exercises. Perhaps the best part of the book is that other young actors and actresses help do the teaching. They are photographed acting out death scenes or clowning. And, their words help instruct. Thus, young people are learning skills from other young people.

Synopsis

This is a complete “how to” acting and stagecraft book for any young performer who wants to get up on stage or who is already there. The fully illustrated pages of young performers in action touch on topics such as: accents, wordplay, caricatures, ensembles, posture, stretches, costumes and makeup.

Description

This book is what it proclaims to be —a kids’ guide to acting and stagecraft. the ten chapters have a wealth of information about nearly every facet of the craft of acting. The chapter topics are illustrated throughout by candid photographs of 12 school-age actors in action. Julia Stiles writes in the foreword, “This book is its own sort of bible of acting. it contains just about everything you need to know about acting as a profession. The information collected here is easy to read, fun, and creative. ….You, as an individual, are like a musical instrument ready to strike chords in the human spirit. This book can help you with any fine-tuning you might need.”

Chapters introduce topics from “Body Basics” (stretches & warm-ups) and “Theater Games & Improvisation” to “Making a Living—headshots, agents, auditioning, commercials.”

The book concludes with appendices listing websites of interest, monologues, dialogues, and ensemble scenes suitable for young performers.