playS and MuSicalS - Contemporary Drama Service

78
Make It Mystery
by CRAIG SODARO
An anthology of
short mystery plays
Paperback: $19.95
(232 pages)
Order #R-B287
Better by the dozen! This book of twelve royalty-free
mystery plays allows you to choose from a wide
variety of plays to fit whatever your current staging and
casting needs may be. They are especially workable for
middle schools and high schools, but they may be
performed by actors of all ages. Each of the plays has
an element of mystery that is often laced with comedy.
The Mother Goose Mystery features a cast of
suspicious nursery-rhyme-quoting characters. In
Queen of Hearts, a young Shakespeare helps solve
a crime. The Clue in the Library is perfect for a
library fundraiser. Mommy’s a Zombie is a classic
farce. All of the plays are fun to perform onstage or in
the classroom.
Theatre Games
and Beyond
by AMIEL SCHOTZ
A creative approach
for performers
Paperback: $17.95
(168 pages)
Order #R-B217
A teacher’s handbook of over 140 theatre games designed
to stimulate creativity in students of all ages. The games
progress from Orientation (“Face to Face,” “You and
Me”) and Trust (“Catch Me Falling,” “Lead the Blind”) to
more advanced games that develop the senses,
coordination, interaction, sensitivity, communication
and spontaneity. A section on characters and stories
builds improvisational acting skills. All of the essential
elements of acting and character development are
explored. Sample workshops provide a guide for using
the games. Performers of any age will find this book a
valuable resource.
175 Theatre Games
by NANCY HURLEY
Warm-up exercises
for actors
Paperback: $17.95
(136 pages)
Order #R-B310
The games and exercises in this book are designed to
be used as warm-ups at the beginning of a theatre class.
They have been used successfully with middle school
students and they can easily be adapted for use with
older teens, children and adults in various settings. The
games are divided into twelve categories for easy
reference: Clowning, Cooperation and Teamwork,
Focus and Concentration, Getting Ready,
Improvisation, Listening, Name Games and
Getting to Know You, Observation, Pantomime,
Stretching and Relaxation, Stage Movement, Voice. The
games have been adapted from theatre workshops
and standard group activities. This is a comprehensive
collection of tested games and exercises. A must book
for every theatre library.
The Best in Theatre Books
Improve
with Improv!
by BRIE JONES
A classroom guide
to improvisation
Paperback: $15.95
(144 pages)
Order #R-B160
This book is a complete improv curriculum program
divided into twenty class-length workshops. Each workshop
contains carefully selected exercises designed to help
students focus on one aspect of a character’s personality.
Students learn how to create characters from their own
imaginations through the use of solo and ensemble
pantomime, physicalization, vocal techniques, props and
more. Gestures, facial expressions, voice and body
language are studied in isolation. Many ensemble
sketches are included, along with a final improv sketch with
enough “roles” for all members of a large class. Sample
workshops include: Character Development,
Entrances and Exits, Gibberish, Animals, Fantasy,
Conflict and Final: Wedding Improv. Also includes
class syllabus and guidelines, character outline sheet,
character examples and a reading list.
Theatre Games
for Young
Performers
by MARIA C. NOVELLY
Improvisations and
exercises for developing
acting skills
Paperback: $17.95
(160 pages)
Order #R-B188
Both beginning actors and their teachers will welcome
this delightfully fresh workbook. It tells the how, when,
what and why of theatre games for young performers.
All the basics of pantomime, improvisations, voice
control, monologs and dialogs are presented in game
formats with exercises and worksheets for easy
organization. Includes: Introduction, Terms and
Goals for Performers, Planning Your Program,
Pantomime, Voice, Improvisation and Scene-
Building and Index to Activities. An exceptional text
for use at schools or recreational centers.
Acting Games
by MARSH CASSADY
Theatre games
and improvisation
exercises for actors
Paperback: $17.95
(192 pages)
Order #R-B168
A four-section book of acting games and
improvisations to assist students in developing their
creative abilities. Section one includes games for
relaxing and focusing. Section two helps students
discover new ways of seeing themselves, others and the
world around them. The third section demonstrates the
usage of space to build scenes and create characters
from imagination. Section four features acting games
to analyze and play characters from existing plays. All
of the essential elements of acting and character
development are explored. The sections may be used
interchangeably to suit your needs.
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