Kids Take the Stage: Helping Young People Discover the Creative Outlet of Theater [Paperback]

Lenka Peterson (Author), Dan O'Connor (Author), Robert Coles (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

• Foreword by Paul Newman

• Completely revised and updated version of a beloved theater classic

• Replaces Kids Take the Stage, ISBN 0-8230-7742-X

• Clear, practical guide to helping kids ages 8 to 18 get a show up and running



The classic Kids Take the Stage is one of the best-selling Back Stage Books of all time. Now Back Stage is proud to present the completely revised and updated second edition of this indispensable guide to getting young people on stage and helping them create their own shows. For teachers, for parents, for budding actors, emerging crew, and incipient directors—this is the book that shows how to get a production up and running...and have fun in the process. Clear and accessible, Kids Take the Stage outlines a systematic approach to staging, complete with basic lessons in acting, relaxation and trust-building exercises, and improvisations. From first read-through to opening night, from butterflies to bravos, this is the perfect book to help young people realize their creative potential. www.sherrihaab.com .

Nina Edwards is a graphic designer and illustrator. She lives in New York City.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lenka Peterson, founder of the Westchester Young Actors' Theatre, is also an actress who has worked on Broadway, off Broadway, in films, and in television. Dan O'Connor worked at NEC as a producer and director of news documentaries, live event coverage, and drama series. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Back Stage Books (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082307742X
• ISBN-13: 978-0823077427
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,543,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helping Young People Discover Theater, August 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Kids Take the Stage: Helping Young People Discover the Creative Outlet of Theater (Paperback)

In this wonderful new book, Lenka Peterson and Dan O'Connor draw on more that 30 years of experience to reveal how to teach and direct plays with children. Their sophisticated yet accessible guide covers everything form the basics of acting to mounting and staging a production. It includes plenty of child-friendly sample scenes and relaxation techniques for kids. Perfect for established children's theater groups as well as churches, schools and camps, Kids Take the Stage shows how we can help kids realize their creative potential...and, in the process, create a new generation of theater lovers.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo!, August 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Kids Take the Stage: Helping Young People Discover the Creative Outlet of Theater (Paperback)

This is a magical book, full of exercises and anecdotes that teach children to celebrate what they have to offer as potential artists, but mainly as human beings. I recommend it to anyone who wants to introduce children to acting and the theater. It is joyful, rewarding, wise and a lot of fun to read. Bravo/Brava!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Resource!, July 20, 2005

By 

Ralph A. Thiel (Oshkosh, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kids Take the Stage: Helping Young People Discover the Creative Outlet of Theater (Paperback)

Though I've been a middle school coach for the past 12 years, I still am interested in getting new ideas to get my young actors/ actresses more involved with the drama process. I also taught a 3 week long Creative Drama class this summer with 3rd-5th graders and the many sound ideas in this book gave me a wealth of activities to choose from.

Whether you're a first time Drama Coach or a long in the tooth coach like me, this book is a MUST BUY! I particularly like how the authors used "famous actor" quotes to help back up the many acting activities in this book. I love the chapter entitled "Rehearsals with Heart" because this idea of treating young actors as people with talents to share comes shining through in EACH chapter! The "Leader's Guide" (near the end of the book) lays out a 10 session "suggested" guide for the novice or the veteran drama person to follow (wonderful idea!)

In a nutshell, THIS BOOK ROCKS and I've now got even MORE ideas to use with my kids when the spring production rolls around this year!

Well Done!

Ralph :)