Acting, in Person and in Style

by Jerry L. Crawford

Acting: In Person and In Style, fifth edition is designed to serve the beginning, intermediate, and advanced acting student. Part I focuses on acting techniques. Part II follows with discussions of theories and history related to acting techniques.

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my wife's acting textbook, I read it a couple of years ago, and having found it i thought I would review it. At the same time a useful resource and a great travesty. It is divided into two parts. The first part is called 'Acting in Person'. It is basically an introduction to the authors' style of method acting. This is method acting as it's worst. It is my opinion that method acting is dangerous at all times, but this chapter is the kind of filth that makes people especially hate the method . For the sanity of anyone who practices this stuff it is necessary to have a psychologist for regular appointments. The second part is called 'Acting in Style.' It is a useful resource to some of the define characteristics of theatre in different periods. Besides the obligatory references to part one, it is a decent quick reference for people looking to act in a period piece. As harsh as I have been on this book my major objection is to it's use as a text book. It recognizes nothing else but the authors own system, and that is fairly narrow. I don't wish to make people classical actors against their will, but I wish academic theatre would open it's eyes and give students sane choices, as well as 'new age twinkle bunny' ones.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my wife's acting textbook, I read it a couple of years ago, and having found it i thought I would review it. At the same time a useful resource and a great travesty. It is divided into two parts. The first part is called 'Acting in Person'. It is basically an introduction to the authors' style of method acting. This is method acting as it's worst. It is my opinion that method acting is dangerous at all times, but this chapter is the kind of filth that makes people especially hate the method . For the sanity of anyone who practices this stuff it is necessary to have a psychologist for regular appointments. The second part is called 'Acting in Style.' It is a useful resource to some of the define characteristics of theatre in different periods. Besides the obligatory references to part one, it is a decent quick reference for people looking to act in a period piece. As harsh as I have been on this book my major objection is to it's use as a text book. It recognizes nothing else but the authors own system, and that is fairly narrow. I don't wish to make people classical actors against their will, but I wish academic theatre would open it's eyes and give students sane choices, as well as 'new age twinkle bunny' ones.

[Dionysus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have ever read on acting styles across the centuries. Very readable with clear practical advice.