3 comments about First Steps in Teaching Creative Dance to Children.

1. When faced with teaching children's dance classes for the first time almost 30 years ago, I was fortunate to have this. Now conducting classes for college dance students on how to teach creative dance for children, I require this as the textbook. Very accessible; pick it up and use it immediately or use the theory and modify the ideas to create your own classes. The author organizes the medium of motion clearly and includes plans for a variety of ages in classes that enable children to create student-centered explorations of qualities of movement that are truly DANCE. Teaching Dance: The Spectrum of Styles



2. Shipped quickly!!! Wonderful condition! I would buy from seller again!



3. First Steps in Teaching Creative Dance to Children is an excellent tool for the aspiring dance teacher. Mary Joyce prepares the beginning dance instructor and offers innovative ideas for seasoned teachers. As a dance educator, I have drawn on this text many times to spice up my lesson plans! I highly recommend this book to any teacher working with children as Joyce inspires adults as well as children to find the magic in creative dance.

4 comments about Company.

1. The score features three staves, piano and vocal with an added bonus of crucial instrument parts which are even labelled in separate font to help instrument recognition for the complete music of company down to the scene change and underscore music!
   The musical notation and lyrics are clear to read in PC print format, none of that hand printed stuff. The only down side is the score does not have TAB or chord labels above the staves, just pure notation which in some cases not ideal for the modern musician. With the Music being Sondheim orientated most songs could be classed as grade 6 or 7. Very tricky rythms but the best complete Company score book on the market. If you have trouble reading though an easy play version would be advisable.



2. I own a copy of both the vocal score and the complete libretto and I should say it is worth owning both. The vocal score when played on piano gives lively music to make anyone dance to the beat. It never loses its Broadway touch. The notes when played by a skilled pianist would make it sound more like the orchestra accompaniment. I would highly recommend those of you who love Sondhei'm style to own one of these. This would definitely be a smash hit for your school or community theater.



3. I love Sondheim, and this show is the best of his works in my opinion. Full of challenging songs, and complex arrangements, it will surely please the pianist or singer who is looking for something a little outside the realm of Roger's and Hammerstein to sing. Go into your nest audition with "another Hundred People", or "Getting Married Today" and blow your director away! This book contains a lot of material that is not readily available in other volumes and it is definately worth the investment. songs of note "Being Alive" "Company", "Barcelona", "the little things you do togrther" and the immortal "Ladies Who Lunch"



4. When Mr. Sondheim and and Mr. Furth wrote the show they wanted to have something that would make the audience laugh all night and then stay awake the rest of the night thinking about it. And that is EXACTLY what they did! Mr. Furth developes his characters so well as does Sondheim. To fully get the show one might consider getting the cd (original cast album is the best and can be found here on Amazon.com as well) This is seriously the best libretto I own.. and I own MANY.

4 comments about Types of Drama: Plays and Contexts (8th Edition).

1. I remember reading and, subsequently, teaching earlier editions of this book. It's a handy collection -- with a particularly good translation of Lysistrata. But that was then, when the book was well under $25. Now it's $104!? That should buy a hardcover with color photos and DVD of famous productions. I know everything goes up in price, but what are we really doing to our students if we ask them to fork over so much money for literature?



2. As a university theatre professor, I find this one of the most comprehensive, useful drama anthologies out there. A wonderful introduction to a wide range of plays, with pertinent "windows" into production aspects of the plays, so students can understand them not only as literature but as blueprints for performance. And the textbook, while comprehensive, is much lighter weight than Worthen's or the Longman's, so students will be much more likely to show up to class with their texts actually in hand. In addition, I find the separarate Instructor's Manual complete with suggested syllabi and lesson plans most helpful in providing me with inspiration as I build various dramatic literature, theatre history, and introduction to theatre courses.



3. Despite being toted as a college-level text (with a hefty price tag), this book is rife with typos, missing words and ridiculous formatting, including classics such as "existing the office" instead of "exiting the office." On top of this, the introductions to the playwrights distort their views and words to render them more politically correct. The editors make no mention of Strindberg's incredibly sexist views in the introduction to "Miss Julie". The "Topics for Critical Thinking and Writing" are so leading they aren't suitable for anyone more intellectually sophisticated than a middle-school student. All of this after it has gone through eight editions!
   In summary, this collection is hastily assembled with little proof-reading and less thought and research put into the introductions and "Play in Performance" sections. Do NOT buy this anthology. You would be better served selecting the plays you want to cover and buying used copies of each play.



4. This is a great collection of plays from ancient Greece to modern day. It is an effective teaching and research tool. There is a very substantial glossary and the introductory comments for each play are amazing. Many of the plays also come with stage histories and there are several photo-essays that are valuable sources of information.

No comments about Tanglewood: A Group Memoir.

1 comments about Public Speaking: Concepts and Skills for a Diverse Society (Wadsworth Series in Communication Studies).

1. The book is great! After reading this book, I feel that I am able to: 1.Have a broader and deeper understanding of myself and of others. 2. Have a thorough theoretical and working knowledge of the various concepts of public speaking. 3. Listen actively and speak with a greater feel for me and for my audience.

1 comments about Play the Scene: The Ultimate Collection of Contemporary and Classic Scenes and Monologues.

1. I teach acting in a Community College and have struggled to find a good, modern scene book for classroom scenes. This is it. The scenes in this book are quite modern, easy to relate to by young actors and, generally, of high quality. This book is also useful for audition scenes and monologues. The other book I would recommend is Duo: Great scenes of the 90's although that text is becoming somewhat dated.

5 comments about Auditioning for the Musical Theatre.

1. Ever since i read Frank Sliver's book- it have given me confadense to sing at hospitals, nursing homes and bus stations. I learned alot. God BleSs yoU Frank Slivrer.
   LAretta Rose



2. This book really helped me understand every aspect in auditioning for musical theatre. Honest to God, with this book I feel I have much a better understanding of what I'm auditioning with and that I will have a better chance among the rest of the auditioners.
   
   It's worth every penny :)



3. The moment I read the introduction I was hooked. Silver uses humor and wit to bring to life these practical and useful methods he shows you to give a flawless performance. He teaches you everything from how to relax before an audition to how to become the part. I can not describe to you all how much I am in debt to this man for teaching me the way to a auditioners heart. Mr. Silver will not let you down.



4. While this book is, of course, geared torwards musical theater, there are many tips in here that can be used for any kind of audition.

   The other review for this book was so good, I almost don't want to write a review, but I want to so, here I am. :D

   I decided to find books on acting last year and I stumbled across this one.

   At the time I wasn't auditioning for any musicals, but I started reading it anyways. I didn't think much of it though, I mean I thought it was helpful, but I wasn't able to see its true practicallity until I was actually in the middle of the audition process.

   I found this book extremely useful because it told me how and when to move during a song. And it taught me how to stand out from the "pack" of other singers/actors and make an impact. It also helped me gain some much needed confidence in my own performance abilities.

   Also, if you don't sing, but you act, it gives you some pretty good reasons to think about, as to why you may want to consider learning to sing as well. :)

   I would reccomend this book to any actor along with "Audition". These too books alone will teach you enough to get through auditions. But I also suggest reading some books about finding your own technique as well. One book I have been reading recently that is quite helpful is "The Actor Speaks". It is a book that has around 20 different actors talking about their own personal technique, and will help you discover or at least really think about your own.

   So, what are you waiting for? Get this book, and start improving your abilities today!!!

   God Bless ~Amy




5. Fred Silver is a man who's been around the auditioning block a few times... and this experience is captured in this book for every aspiring musical theatre actor/actress. He spells everything out in terms that even the most naive actors can understand. Not only does Silver explain how to look at an audition, but he also goes into great detail about how to emphasize, breathe, stand, walk, and... well, EVERYTHING! He even talks about the use of your eyes and posture to win those directors over. Another great aspect of this book is that he provides a list of "not-overdone" songs that have worked for his students in the past. What a valuable resource for any musical actor or actress!

   I, too, have been around the block when it comes to auditioning for the musical theatre. And I must say, Fred Silver's book points out many of the lessons I have learned through the process. If you want the part, read this book.

1 comments about El gesticulador: Pieza para demagogos en tres actos.

1. Rodolfo Usigli (1905-1979) is not only Mexico's finest playwright, but El gesticulador (The Gesticulator 1938) is also one of his best plays. The work depicts the life of a disenchanted history professor who leaves Mexico City with his family, and returns to his hometown in northern Mexico hoping to capitalize on the upcoming gubernatorial elections. Circumstances beyond his control lead him to assume the identity of a revolutionary general by the same name, César Rubio. Amidst the confusion, he becomes the people's hero and is elected to run for governor of the state against a former acquaintance that also happens to be the town's villain. The family members play supporting roles: Elena is the dedicated wife and mother; his son Miguel is a young man distraught by his father's failures and by social hypocrisy; and his daughter Julia, is an unattractive, yet seductive young woman who idolizes her father and is interested in social and physical appearances. In a gesture typical of many of the works of the Mexican Revolution, César Rubio is killed before he gets the opportunity to win the elections. While Rubio's death gives his contender the perfect opportunity to look good by honoring the dead hero, it robs Julia of the possibility of gaining a higher social status and leaves Miguel clamoring for Truth. For her part, Elena's resigned nature and sense of dignity allow her to request nothing but her husband's body.

5 comments about The Million Dollar Mermaid: An Autobiography.

1. I bought this on sale and was very pleasantly surprised. The stories are fascinating and there are even some profound insights about the mistakes people make. I highly recommend this book.



2. For more than a decade the splashy, aquatic escapist entertainment of MGM's Esther Williams' films delighted devoted fans, and kept MGM "afloat." This wonderfully gossipy autobiography proves that Williams was just as sassy, smart and independent off-screen as on. Her memoirs of romances with Jeff Chandler, Victor Mature and Fernando Lamas keep the pages turning and the night lights on! And, wait until she pulls back the loin-cloth of Johnny Weissmuller's to reveal a whole news aspect of filmdom's "Tarzan!"



3. I was looking for something to read while traveling, and remembered hearing some positive comments about this book. It was a really great to read about Hollywood back in it's golden age, with it's "larger than life" productions and actors.



4. I found this book fascinating from cover to cover. The glimpse into the world of MGM at its grandest is wonderful, and Esther herself is never dull. A page turner for movie fans. I agree with other reviews that Esther can come off badly in her "Do you know who I am?" attitude--it reads like she got really full of herself somewhere down the road. Plus, what kind of person stays married to a man who won't allow you to have a relationship with your own children? Sorry--there's no excuse. But this is a review of the book itself, not of the person, and it's a good read.



5. I started out in admiration of how tough Esther Williams was. But I kept waiting for her to start having a decent personal life. At first, I thought how sad it was that people were unfeeling and cruel with her. (How is it that every single man she meets, btw, with a few barely mentioned exceptions, are cold, heartless and entirely self-absorbed? An LA thing?) But by the time she started having affairs of her own and marrying the domineering Lamas (she knew what she was getting herself into) I lost all respect or sympathy for her. Even so, I can't help liking her somehow and wishing things had been different. She seems like a friend that lets you down and yet you still want to like her.
   In a way, it seems like something is missing...almost like you never completely can know or understand her.
   I did find it very interesting to hear stories about life within MGM.

5 comments about Indie Producers Handbook : Creative Producing From A to Z.

1. I bought this book for my cousin who wants to start out in the film business. This book helped me break down the who's who in the industry and the breakdown and samples are easy to understand.



2. I just completed a feature length screenplay that will soon become a feature length film. To prepare for production I decided to purchase two books: Creative Producing A to Z, and, A Film Director Prepares, both by Myrl Schreibman. Having just finished reading them, I now know I could not have made two better choices. Buy them both, read them both, then read them both again! I promise, your film career will be well served.



3. This book is the producer's version of Gray's "Anatomy of the Human Body." Without a doubt, Schreibman's text is the blueprint for any successful indie film and should be read and thoroughly consulted by every creative producer - experienced or otherwise. Furthermore, this book that can be extremely useful to directors and screenwriters because it provides a real understanding of what the producer does and how the other creative entities can best collaborate with the producer for creative and practical synergy. In short, this book is a must for anyone who wants to make movies.



4. I recently finished producing my own independent film and found this book right at the beginning of my post-production period.

   I wish I had found it earlier. It is full of no-nonsense advice and information that is practically bullet-proof, and I ended up agreeing with about all of it. Schreibman, who apparently has a long history of producing films for t.v. and theatrical market, has paid his dues, done his homework, and knows another "feel-good" you-can-do-it book isn't necessary.

   He tells you like it is, doesn't pull any punches, and helps you avoid the most common mistakes, both legally and aesthetically. Writing and directing are generally the more "arty" positions in film production - the Producer is supposed to keep the ship moving forward and avoiding any fatal mistakes. This book directs you in the right direction.

   My film was a "micro-budget" film, and this book may ultimately be more useful for "larger" independent features, including ones with SAG deals, distribution in place, and budgets closer to 7 figures. While all the advice here applies to everyone making a movie, it's the attitude Myrl conveys that I really appreciated and believed in, more than some of his nuts-and-bolts info. The contract samples at the end were also very helpful when I went out and began looking for more help finding money to finish my film (which I eventually did).

   Now I'm dreaming of using the rest of the info here for my next film!




5. If you are looking for a practical, REALISTIC book on how to begin and finish the production process, this is the book for you. I began my very extensive hunt for a book that would spell out the production process from A-Z. This book delivered on what it said. Very often in this industry it can be smoke and mirrors...not here my friend. Myrl speaks from experience and gives it to you straight. You WILL understand the production process from start to finish after reading this book.

   As an added note, I was so impressed with the book that I contacted Myrl to consult with me on a recent project. He delivered on his promises and helped me guide my project to a successful finish. A five-star book and a five-star person.