On March 5th The acting blog Site Actor Crack added a new feature: Book of the Month Club and chose ACTING LIONS as the Inaugural offering. Needless to say we are thrilled and surprised and this sudden honor. Penny received a notice of a new review of Acting Lions contained in the March 5th blog and then just yesterday we learned about the selection of Penny’s book to kick off the book club. Please check out the resource site for actors and pass the great news along to your friends.
Here is the announcement and review of ACTING LIONS. Please visit this new blog site for more on acting.
THE OFFICIAL ACTOR CRACK BOOK CLUB! – WHY EVERY ACTOR SHOULD READ
For me, reading is a major source of Actor Crack!
And I don’t mean the “ Drag Race, let me tell you about yourself kind of reading”.
No!
I’m talkin’ about the “READING IS FUNDAMENTAL, CALL ME A BLACK,GAY, 20 SOMETHING MATILDA KIND OF READING”
I read everything: newspapers, books , the backs of candy bar wrappers EVERYTHING! I love to read read read; and as a self respecting actor you should too!
When you’re in school you read by force and all the fun is taken out, because you’re reading for results (a grade, an essay, understanding). Like doing community service because you have to, instead of doing it because it’s a good thing to do.However if you sit down and read a book for pleasure, you might just be amazed at what it does not only to your work, but the way you experience life.
When I read Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs my entire world was transformed. At that point in life I blamed the world for my problems, felt that no one would ever understand me let alone be able to love me because of the cards I had been dealt. Dramatic and oh so wrong. After reading the novel I realized that I’m not so special that I could walk through life and not have a soul understand me ( life is far to big for this). I also began to understand that there are many colors to what they call “the human experience”. Happiness, fear, self pity,desperation, all words I was familiar with but never had described in such a palpable way. I found that reading gave me insight into the minds of other people and into my own feelings. Reading gave me understanding. I think That’s something every actor can use, don’t you?
When you read new skills are acquired, lessons are learned and your strongest tool as an Actor ( IMAGINATION) is sharpened. However, As I am not the president of the Actors literacy program I will step off of the smallest soap box in Washington Heights and get to the good stuff!
ACTOR CRACK! Is about sharing beautiful things and getting the most out of life as an actor in NYC. Which is why I have decided to start the ACTOR CRACK BOOK CLUB!
Once every other month I’ll introduce a new book. You go buy the book, download the book, check out the book from the book store, and hopefully have the same feeling I had. Eventually there will be opportunities to get together and discuss the book, but first take a chance and read. The plan is to share a range of books. Books about the craft of acting, mind body soul awareness as well as good old novels that make you feel something. As I don’t know everything and am not an expert by any means I will not be the only person making the selection. Books will be selected by “Broadway Actors”, “OffBroadway Actors” and “Around The Way Actors”; to Give you a nice range of style and taste.
So without Further ado I give you the first book in the OFFICIAL ACTOR CRACK BOOK CLUB!
ACTING LIONS
BY PENNY TEMPLETON
This book is a MUST HAVE for any and all actors. From novice to professional this book is your best friend.
Written by Penny Templeton, Ny actress and Coach this book will prove to be your trusty side kick as you audition, work, don’t work and repeat. With insights on Technique, “The business of Artistry” , Technique under pressure ( in this under rehearsed act-fast world), branding and so much more.
But first thing’s first … WHAT IS AN ACTING LION?
In Templeton’s words an Acting Lion Is…
- An Actor who creates from their core and lives in their truth.
- An Actor who uses dynamic techniques to have the edge under pressure
- An Actor who gets the work they want by understanding the business of artistry
- An Actor who is fearless and in control
So basically Fierce and Fabulous baby, everything I want to be! Most acting books can be stuffy, hard to understand and feel a bit dated, this is anything but. Templeton is direct, easy to understand, has a fresh take on classic training styles and is not married to one process or style of acting. You know how some acting books will describe an exercise and its hard to understand? Not this book! After reading about the “Acting Barre” and other fabulous exercises go to the website and actually see actors doing them. Not only is it a practical, honest and direct book this book EMPOWERS ACTORS TO NOT ONLY ACT BUT EMBRACE THEIR BEST MOST GENUINE SELF!
Whether its technique you need, advice on how to pick the right acting teacher, or help on being a business person in the business that is Show, this book has your back.Available at Bbarnes and Noble, Drama Book Store, Amazon, Nook, & Kindle.
…Enjoy,
K!
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