playS and MuSicalS - Contemporary Drama Service

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The Ultimate
Improv Book
by EDWARD J. NEVRAUMONT
NICHOLAS P. HANSON and
KURT SMEATON
A guide to comedy
improvisation
Paperback (280 pages): $17.95
Order #R-B248
This comprehensive manual shows the who, what,
when, why and how of comedy improv. A complete
improv curriculum program divided into 24 classlength
units in four parts: Introduction explains
what improv is and how to create an improv team;
Improv Skills gives some basic rules,
physicalization, characterization, teamwork, use of
suggestion; Structuring describes who, what and
how to make improv structures; Strategies gives
hints and tips for evaluating performance and
putting on a show. Unlike other improv books, this
book shows how to start an improv team or club at
your school. Includes a lesson plan and a unique
section on how to structure your own improv games.
More Theatre Games
for Young Performers
by SUZI ZIMMERMAN
Improvisations and exercises
for developing acting skills
Paperback: $17.95
(240 pages)
Order #R-B268
By popular demand, we offer a follow-up book of theatre
games specifically for young acting students. Written
especially for those who coach adolescent actors, this
delightfully fresh updated workbook tells you the how,
when, what and why of theatre games for young
performers. Starter scenes allow first-time performers to
ease onto the stage in baby steps. Spontaneity is
encouraged along with etiquette and basic acting
principles. The concepts of pantomime, improvisation,
character development, voice and body control are all
presented in game formats with exercises. Nine chapters
include: Before You Begin, Preparing, Starter
Scenes, Exercises, Games, Improvisation,
Pantomime, Nonacting Theatre Games and
Activities, Developing Your Program plus a Target
Areas Index. An exceptionally helpful acting text.
Theatre Games
and Activities
by LYNDA A. TOPPER
Games for building
confidence and creativity
Paperback (152 pages): $17.95
Order #R-B304
How can a teacher without theatrical experience teach a
course in theatre arts? How can a teacher inspire selfconscious
students to perform before an audience? This
book of activities is designed to build confidence in each
student with non-threatening evaluations along the way.
It begins with basic group games and gradually expands
to more challenging exercises. Emphasis on group and
individual activity builds both verbal and nonverbal
communication skills. Chapters include: 1. The
Planning Process, 2. The Challenge of the First
Meeting, 3. Getting Acquainted and Acclimated,
4. Nonverbal Group Activities, 5. Nonverbal
Individual Activities, 6. Verbal Individual Activities,
7. Verbal Pair Activities, 8. Verbal Group Activities,
9. Written Activities, 10. Evaluation, Assessment,
Rewards, 11. Grab Bag — Miscellaneous Scene Topics.
Theatre and Drama Books
Tough Acts to Follow
by SHIRLEY ULLOM
Seventy-five monologs
for teens
Paperback: $15.95
(168 pages)
Order #R-B237
Award-winning writer, Shirley Ullom, shows us why
teens give us hope for the future. These short,
perceptive monologs reveal the humor and strength of
teens as they deal with a wide range of situations and
dilemmas both poignant and funny. Death, divorce,
dating and dieting — violence in schools, gangs, dreams
and dumb stuff — it’s all included in a mixed collection
of monologs for performers of all types. Excellent for
classroom or speech contests, auditions or discussion
starters. The monologs are divided into three
sections: Guys, Girls and Girls or Guys. Sample
titles include: To Tell or Not to Tell, Fast Food
Junkie, TV Addicts and Shaping Up.
The Theatre
Audition Book
by GERALD LEE RATLIFF
Playing monologs from
contemporary, modern,
period, Shakespeare
and classical plays
Paperback: $17.95
(240 pages)
Order #R-B224
The most comprehensive book of monologs ever! With
127 audition pieces, this handbook has a monolog for
almost any audition situation. It’s important that the
actor be inventive and imaginative in performing a
monolog. This book shows students how to investigate
dramatic and theatrical elements. Each monolog also
includes a character analysis. The monologs selected for
audition performance are conveniently grouped in
historical periods from classical to contemporary. All are
competitive material. A valuable resource.
The Theatre
Audition Book 2
by GERALD LEE RATLIFF
Playing monologues from
contemporary, modern,
period, Shakespearean
and classical plays
Paperback: $17.95
(256 pages)
Order #R-B309
This sequel to the popular The Theatre Audition Book
features more than 130 monologues from classical,
Shakespearean, period, modern, and contemporary
plays and a new chapter on musical theatre and the
medium, including commercial and film auditions. The
monologues – some taken from non-dramatic sources
like novels and poems – are organized by historical
times and provide an overview of acting styles and
audition expectations for playing each time period. The
collection features well-known playwrights including
Ntozake Shange, Athol Fugard, Christopher Durang,
John Patrick Shanley, Edward Albee, August Wilson,
Beth Henley, Terrence McNally, Paula Vogel – and a
number of exciting new writers who have contributed
original monologues written especially for classroom
study and performance. There are also a number of
original duologues and musical monologues.
www.contemporarydrama.com • toll-free 800-937-5297 • toll-free 24-hour fax 888-594-4436