5 comments about Make Your Voice Heard: An Actor's Guide to Increased Dramatic Range Through Vocal Training.

1. I can't praise this book highly enough!
   
   I'm a student at a conservatory actor training course in Australia and had struggled with my vocal training for the first year and a half, but after reading the reviews on Amazon I decided to buy this book and it has absolutely changed my acting.
   
   Jones sets out the daily vocal workout (warm-up) in a logical, easy-to-follow way and, more importantly, explains exactly WHY each exercise is important and how it will directly affect the voice. He also has excellent exercises that help with release and the connection of thought to breath and emotion, in a way that is natural and which bypasses the 'head'.
   
   While there are many other books on the market which cover similar ideas (Freeing the Natural Voice, The Right to Speak, Voice & the Actor), Jones' book worked for me because it is so simple and to the point.
   I found that this, along with Alexander movement training, completely changed my voice and allowed me to access parts of my vocal range that I had never been able to before, as well as making me a much more open and emotionally connected actor.
   
   If you're serious about your development as an actor and want an accessible and effective approach to voice training, then I'd highly recommend getting your hands on a copy of this book.



2. As a vocal train. teacher in Mexico, I must say this an enlighting book!



3. The information on the back cover of the book, especially the quotes, was great. I thought that it would help other readers to be able see it.
   
   
   During my time as a student of Chuck Jones, I learned more about acting than during any other period of my training. I can't say enough positive things about him as both a teacher and a person.
   Edie Falco
   
   Chuck's work is an extraordinary gift. It connects the voice to the imagination and emotion every actor prays for - I am so grateful.
   Jessica Hecht
   
   Chuck Jones is a major American voice teacher whose work actively implements careers.
   Michael Howard
   
   A life saver. Chuck's exercises have not only greatly improved my breathing and vocal range, but have allowed me more freedom in my work. They have become an indispensable part of my daily ritual.
   Carla Gugino
   
   Chuck Jones is the most influential teacher I've ever had. He deepened and strengthened not only my voice but also my acting.
   Francie Swift
   
   
   
   Chuck Jones is a graduate of Cornell University and has taught voice at S.U.N.Y. Purchase, New York; California Institute of the Arts; Playwrights Horizons, New York University; University of California, Berkeley; Circle In The Square, New York University; Circle Repertory Company; The Working Theater (Kristin Linklater, Joseph Chaikin), Caymichael Patten Studio; and the Michael Howard Studios. He has fifteen years of professional acting credits on and off Broadway, in England at the Royal Court Theatre, South America, and in British and American television. In addition, he has been a vocal coach on many films and Broadway productions. Among the successful actors he has coached or taught are: Edie Falco, Keanu Reeves, William Hurt, Holly Hunter, Carla Gugino, Wesley Snipes, Jessica Hecht, Marisa Tomei, Parker Posie, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Steven Weber, Stanley Tucci, Francie Swift, Kathleen Chalfont, Ellen Barkin, and Jeff Daniels.



4. A very interesting book!

   The Chuck Jones' method is efficient, very effective, and clear. An expressive voice can be developed doing the exercises just 10 minutes a day.

   He has coached many actors including Edie Falco, Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Jason Leigh, William Hurt, Stanley Tucci, Jeff Daniels, Wesley Snipes, and Parker Posey.




5. This small book, only 141 pages in length, offers a most refreshing, lively and accessible guide to practical voice training written for actors and voice students who strive for honest performances using a voice that responds naturally to their inner selves. Chuck Jones, a remarkable teacher, has pioneered his voice training practices through many years of acting and teaching experience, guiding innumerable voice students and performing arts professionals to integrate fully expressive voices into their work.
   Jones' approach to vocal training is unique since he clearly and very convincingly focuses on the relationship between vocal training and acting, thereby supporting American actor training in which actors are encouraged to draw on their own emotional lives and resources. Jones explains that "....voice training does more than solve vocal problems: Voice training allows actors to extend their range, develop power, and create that mysterious quality known as presence....helps put actors in touch with their deepest emotional states and allows them to connect to their roles in a profound way....helps actors to develop the capacity to reveal the full range of their inner lives." (page 23)
   In the first half of the book Jones examines fundamental acting issues that relate specifically to the vocal instrument such as, being heard, character choices, and vocal power. In the second half of the book, Jones introduces a very specific, logical sequence of exercises as part of a daily vocal workout that release, stretch, strengthen, increase the expressive range, resonance and flexibility of the vocal anatomy and physical instrument leading to a heightened physical and emotional awareness.
   Jones brings the book to a close by defining how to connect the voice to the emotional life, breathing as part of acting, and finally, how to get used to the new sound that results from his vocal training practices; thus Jones addresses practically the full integration of the expressive voice into acting work based on an honest connection that includes the physiological, the physical and the emotional aspects of the actor's instrument eliminating the "mystery" from voice training.
   I first met Chuck Jones about 15 years ago when I attended his voice class as a student and his work and who he is as a teacher changed my life and my work as an actress! He took the "mystery" out of voice production for me as an actress and he is my inspiration for becoming the voice teacher I am today.

3 comments about Blithe Spirit, Hay Fever, Private Lives: Three Plays.

1. Noel Coward's talent for spinning gossamer plots into rapier-sharp comedy assures his reputation in theatre, and his comedies have such timeless appeal that they remain staples of both English and American theatre. This volume collects three of his most memorable scripts: the fantasy BLITHE SPIRIT, the farce HAY FEVER, and the razor-wicked PRIVATE LIVES.

   Of the three, BLITHE SPIRIT and PRIVATE LIVES are best known to the general public through various film versions and frequent revivals. BLITHE SPIRIT concerns a novelist who invites a medium to give a seance that he might learn tricks of the trade for the book he is writing--but the medium is no fake, and she unintentionally summons up the ghost of his first wife, who promptly moves in and makes his second wife's life a living hell. PRIVATE LIVES offers the story of a divorced couple who unexpectedly meet while honeymooning with their new spouses--whom they quickly abandon in order to resume their torrid passion for each other. Trouble is, although they love each other desperately, their personalities are about as compatible as two scorpions in a bottle. HAY FEVER, one of Coward's earliest successes, presents the story of visitors to an eccentric family who are very nearly driven mad before they are able to escape.

   Coward was reknowned for his sophistocated and often acid turn of phrase, and all three of these plays contain enough outrageous situations and sharp-tongued lines to make even the worst sourpuss laugh loud enough to annoy the neighbors. Although those unused to reading playscripts may find HAY FEVER a bit hard to grasp, both BLITHE SPIRIT and PRIVATE LIVES read extremely, extremely well--so much so that you're likely to find yourself acting them out as you read! Wonderful fun, and strongly, strongly recommended.




2. I recieved my summer reading list for Honors English a few weeks ago, and under the section that held a list of three play titles to choose from, I came across Blithe Spirit. Having never heard of Noel Coward, or anything of the other two plays in this book (Hay Fever, and Private Lives) I decided to give the book a chance and I am pleased that I did. I am not a huge fan of reading plays, but after I read Blithe Spirit, I felt that I just had to keep going and read the other two. After reading this book, it is now very obvious to me that Noel Coward was a man with extreme talent, and an awful witty sense of humor. While reading these plays you come across some really interesting situations, and characters, and I guarentee that you will be smiling throughout the whole thing.



3. Noel Coward's _Hay Fever_, Evelyn Waugh's _Handful of Dust_, and Kingsley Amis's _Lucky Jim_ are, for my money, the three funniest things written in English in the 20th century. I was a drama critic for nearly 12 years, saw hundreds of productions of all kinds from coast to coast in the US and a few in London, and never laughed harder or enjoyed myself more than at a regional US production of "Hay Fever" in the late 1970's. Do it again! Do it again!

4 comments about Theatre of the Oppressed.

1. Buy this. I know that isn't a sentence but wow. This is a life changing work. If you care the minutest bit about theatre, mankind, and the future of both (together and seperate) then feast here. Also, a side benifit is listening to Boal argue AGAINST The Poetics. Good stuff. The begining is a little slow because he begins by very carefully setting up examples and definitions before he begins to explain his actual work and theory. This is nessisary and impressive (citing some ancient Greek philosophers to whom I had never been introduced). I think this book handed me some special x-ray glasses to look through the clothing of our contemporary American theatre. Get yourself a pare.



2. This should be required reading in our theatre schools, but is generally relegated to the extra credit section of additional reading. Boal expounds some brilliant concepts that should be considered by all contempoary theatre practitioners. Serious theatre goers should read this text as well.



3. Boal is insane, but not nearly as much as Brecht or Artaud. Boal is essentially a communist that approaches all art from the social-conflict paradigm of sociology (Marxism). He tends to argue that most theatre is made to coerce, and that much of it is made with the power/elite in mind (that is the mildest description I can give you without starting a debate). Whether you agree with Boal or not, his chapters dealing with the Coercive Aristotelian Tragedies are highly educational just in the factual sense of what he presents. If you have any interest in classical or Greek theatre this is definitely a must read. He explains the dynamics of Greek theatre so well that it can almost be used as a text book.



4. Perhaps the pursuit of art in this world of massive economic, social and legal inequality is simply privileged playing and bemusement? Perhaps art has no valued, but as marketable, profitable entertainment? Or, perhaps art (and specifically theatre) can actually change the world? Boal is not the first to speak of theater's revolutionary quality, but unlike his predecessors he takes to the street with his theory. Tracing the relationship between the producers of theatre and its audience, Boal exposes the historical oppression imposed by the dramatic machine/conventions of the past. In its place he offers theoretical and practical examples of his "People's theatre" (i.e., paratheatre or interactive theatre). For all seriously minded artist this is a must read. Especially if you wish to understand your role in artistic production and also wish to make a difference with you work.

5 comments about Take Ten: New 10-Minute Plays.

1. From a playwright perspective, while this is an interesting collection of work, it isn't the type of book that you'd want to come back to over and over again. Many of the plays seem dated and they are certainly a reflection of the editors prejudices, for good or bad. Lots of NY-centric stuff along with a swath of the Louisville Festival-type play. As a snapshot of the ten-minute play, this is a valuable collection to read through and learn from. However, many of the plays aren't interesting enough, or innovative enough, to really take up space on your own bookshelf. Borrow this from the library, read it over and take away what you can.



2. Unfortunately, I ordered both of the "Ten-Minute Plays" within days. Should have waited to read one first. These plays are not appropriate for all age groups and situations. I was especially interested in finding a few plays for very Senior Citizens in rest homes. Sorry, not one of the plays in either book were appropriate for that audience. Not the books fault just wish better information was available before purchasing. Plays are good for modern audience and younger actors (in my opinion 16+).



3. If you are only going to own one collection of 10-minute plays, this is the one to own. The choices are well written, show variety, and are infinitely produceable in small spaces.



4. Found the compilation to be useful overall. Lot's of varied story tones.



5. I bought this book becuase I am a forensics coach. This book has several wonderful plays that can be used in the forensics competition. There are several possible duets in this piece. I have taken some of them out on the circuit and they have done very well. The plays in this book play to a variety of themes and audiences.
   Some have language or character problems that are too mature for high school, but would be good for community theater.

5 comments about Urinetown: The Musical.

1. Absolutely fantastic is really all I can say about this. Each line is more clever than the next and the music is absolutely genius. Each song is unique and each lyric has value. The show has a great message and is hilarious. I've read the script and listened to the music at least 50 times and I still laugh out loud every time. I can't even pick my favorite song or scene or say anything bad about it.



2. I used this book in our amateur production of the musical and I recommend this script. The pictures and story behind the musical was interesting.



3. I always thought "Forum" was the best musical written but that is now in second place to Urinetown. This one also has a lot to think about as a commentary on our times. Shouldn't be missed.



4. Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) in Reno is performing this play in March 2006. I should add that it is one of the first community theaters to get the rights to producing this still-running show. Having the book in this format has been very helpful while blocking the show instead of lugging around the bulkier copies provided to us; however, as the Music Director pointed out, the lyrics written in the book don't exactly match what is in the score. But if you are an aficionado of Broadway Musicals, this is a fun book to have!



5. UrineTown was, i believe, the most unique musical ever been created! The Concept of this play was just fall-to-the-floor funny and has gone beyond what we see in broadway throughout the years. but what this show has is great characters and some witty dialogue and lyrics. It's unique concept gave the script strength and power and was a fame for all viewers who went out and saw it.
   
   I encourage anyone who has heard little of Urinetown to go out and give it a shot. Maybe it could be a well-known musical some day.

3 comments about Snooze-a-palooza!: More Than 100 Slumber Party Ideas With a Glow-in-the-dark Door Hanger Inside! (American Girl Library).

1. My 10 year old girl loves the ideas in this book.



2. This book is VERY helpful if you are trying to plan a birthday party, or slumber party! It's very organized and easy to read! This book has eight different slumber party planners with tons of different games that you can play and different ideas of theme-parties that you can have! They even have a shopping list for each theme-party at the back of the book! If you are having trouble with a birthday-party-planning, then this book is FOR YOU!!!



3. I love this book. They have eight themes that have detailed sleepover plans and ideas for more parties. I liked this book because they had ideas for invitations, games, crafts, and food. At the back of the book there was a tear-out doorknob hanger and there were shopping lists for each theme. The lists are just the right size to put in your purse. So if you love sleepovers, get this book!

5 comments about Act One: An Autobiography.

1. A look back in time to understand the struggles in defining-and reaching your goals. A study in human nature. Things haven't changed. Great lessons still!!



2. This book is a down to earth, heart warming story of how Moss Hart became a premiere playwriter. Good book for those interested in working in the theater.



3. A great read; very inspiring and funny and well written. A tale of a writer in a city which he knew so well, at least Broadway, his own neigborhoods, and the subway. His spontaneous decisions are what great showbiz tales are made of and from! His book made me want an Act Two and Act Three....excellent investment. Book in GRAND shape. Quick delivery too.



4. Act One is one of my favorite books. I have rearead it often since the first time I picked it up in my late teens. I love the anecdotes about the Broadway greats ans near greats and how Mr. Hart became famous, but my favorite parts of the book concern his memorable Aunt Kate, a woman whose fate in life was other than she deserved. She is very humanely portrayed, and so is the rest of Mr. Hart's family. I also enjoyed learning more about George Kaufman and his wife. This book's great!



5. Moss Hart is arguably one of the finest and most successful authors of the 20th century theater in this or any other country. Like many successful men in the theater, he came from a background of serious poverty and the true drama of Act One is his perseverence and victory in extremely trying circumstances. There are fascinating glimpses into the theater world of NYC in the 40s and 50s, excellent sketches of George Kaufmann, Beatrice Kaufmann and Max Siegel, and poignant views into the people and places that forged Moss Hart into the extremely urbane, charming and successful man he became, against the hardest possible odds. Superb book!

2 comments about Stages of Drama: Classical to Contemporary Theater.

1. This is an excellent books for the multitude of plays within. Beware- it's HUGE. We used it in our graduate script analysis class and it saved us a lot of money because it has all the top notch plays your professors will teach. Definately worth the money.



2. Top notch book, a comprehensive look at theatre history. The editors have improved a lot since their last edition. I like to keep mine under my pillow.

5 comments about Noises Off.

1. I first saw this play in high school and I really liked it--after seeing it, I HAD to get a copy of the script. :-D Michael Frayn's NOISES OFF is hilarious all the way!



2. NOISES OFF is the hilarious play within a play about a group of actors performing a touring edition of a British farce entitled NOTHING ON. The reader (and performers and audience members for that matter) are only allowed to see NOTHING ON from the first act. The first time they see it, it is the night of the dress rehearsal. The next time they see the act it is from behind the stage several weeks into the company's tour. The final act of the show is once again a performance of the first act of NOTHING ON, but seen from the front of the stage several weeks later. The hilarity involved ensues from the interactions of the performers and their relationships with each other. NOISES OFF displays that as funny as a play might be from the audience, sometimes it pares in comparison to the hilarity ensuing behind the scenes.



3. I love the movie, but reading the actual play is even better! It's such a worthwhile read, you can just picture what's really happening. If you're into sex farce and comedy, this is definitely the play for you!



4. Noises Off is the funniest play of all time. It is play with in a play where everything that could go wrong does. Lloyd the director has decided to put on the show "Nothing On," a tradtional sex farce, when fiction begins to look like reality. This madcap play takes many twists and turns through cheating couples both on stage and off. A must read for any comedy lover.



5. am ordering the book today. i saw the play in nyc and thought it was the funniest thing i have ever seen. worth a trip from almost any place - it is so well acted and the energy of the actors cannot be overstated. a night of fun. ps. the 5 rating is in anticipation.

3 comments about Cengage Advantage Books: Essentials of Public Speaking (with SpeechBuilder Express and InfoTrac ) (Advantage Series).

1. Dont waste money buying this from the school book store. Get it here at amazon. It is the same thing and cost much less. Arrived in new condition.



2. This book was required for a speech class I took. The book is very interesting and has a lot of techniques to make a speech effective. I really like the sections on "Preparing Your Speech" and "Presenting Your Speech." They were actually the best. There are some great examples of how communication affects the environment and the speaker. The sequential process of writing and delivering a speech is packed with some excellent principles and suggestions. This is an excellent book for preparing and delivering a speech; building confidence to speak, and to develop credibility with the audience. This is an excellent book for speakers and potential speakers. It has helped me with poetry presentations and speaking engagements.
   
   Another great book to read is "Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul." This book introduces the new "Epulaeryu" poetic form, and it's also filled with great inspirational poems to stimulate the mind, body and soul.



3. Great emphasis on visual aids. Organization is great and easy to understand. Author does an excellent job of explaining. Includes some great examples of speeches throughout the book. Great section on speaker anxiety - helped a lot.