The Actor's Script: Script Analysis for Performers

by Charles Waxberg

The real star of any play or film is the script. Every creative choice is focused on making this abstract compilation of dialogue and actions come to breathing, believable life. The Actor's Script offers a clear, concise, and easily assimilated technique for beginning scriptwork specifically tailored to actors' requirements and sensibilities. Included are: techniques actors need to make the script a powerful and limitless resource for creativity, passion, and transformation processes for breaking scenes into playable beats and actions character analysis from textual information, themes, and larger ideas specific playwriting styles and many excerpts and applications from both contemporary and classic texts. All discussions are applied to actors' unique needs with humor and clarity. Actors who read this book will learn how to break down a script, create the richest and most varied characters, embody the time period and script's unique world, and allow the highest themes and ideas to empassion their choices.

Charles S. Waxberg, playwright, director, and actor, has been developing his technique for script analysis since 1981. He has taught script analysis, playwriting, and acting for Carnegie-Mellon University, Stella Adler Conservatory, New York University--Tisch School of the Arts, and the Roundabout Theatre Conservatory, which he founded and where he served as Conservatory Director. Mr. Waxberg has performed in over 25 productions throughout the East Coast and New York City.

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Ashton Showers · Rating 5 out of 5]

the reason i liked this book: it was very articulate.

it started with a solid base of script analysis that is common but then after that it dove into many ideas on theatre and the actors work that is pretty insightful. overall really enjoyed this read and it definitely strengthened + produced a better craft on script analysis.

[Athena Psihudakis · Rating 3 out of 5]

He needs to calm down with the examples I’ll be honest I skipped all of them.

[Ciro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This does a very good job of articulating a good entry point to a solid process for any actor (provided you're only ever working Stanislavskian), and the rigor in that process is missing from a lot of actors I meet. I will say the writing spends a lot of time in unnecessary similes to convey a point, so that I often skipped several paragraphs (or whole pages) to get to his point. Meh, he's not a writer. It's still on my shelf for good.

[Alexandra Plath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really helpful. I learned a lot. Every aspiring actor should read it.

[Srieena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative book. Definitely something for aspiring actors and actresses to read. :)

[Vince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, concise, and completely "doable," Mr. Waxberg builds the process of script analysis brick by brick, making it not only understandable, but immensely inspiring as well.