Customer Reviews

Theatre: Brief Version (Theatre (Brief Edition))

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Whether you are a seasoned professional or a first-time beginner, Bob Cohen's book will give you a breath of air as you slog through the sometimes smoggy atmosphere of teaching drama. One of the problems a drama teacher faces is that while everybody can act to a certain point--after all, most of us live a life of drama just navagating the simplest everyday experiences. But not all are able to capture that natural ability to adjust to life for use in an artificial environment--ie on the stage or before the camera. Cohen breaks that process down to basics. There are no esoterics here, only common sense . . . and truth. Among the exercises there is advice. Good advice. This is a great place to start before you tackle the various "Methods" that some swear by but often get between the actor and acting. I have been at this for nearly 30 years and still go back to Cohen for that breath of air I mentioned. It makes me want to go back into the darkness of the rehearsal hall to see whether I can make the magic yet again.

This is a good textbook for Introduction to Theatre college students. I used this book a million years ago when I took this class in college. I have been using it for my college students today. It is competent and thorough. However, it is too advanced for an introductory text. It uses far too much 'lingo' that the average person does not understand. It's as if Professor Cohen has forgotten what it is like to be a REAL beginniner in theatre. Not knowing the most basic terms more experienced people take for granted.
All that aside, the publisher is playing games with this title. The publisher releases a "new" edition of this text every few years, ostensibly "updating" it and with "exciting" new pictures. Then rearranging chapters for a more "coherent narrative." (my quotes, not theirs).
This is a gimmick to force students to buy the newest edition and to keep the revenue stream strong for their shareholders. Shocking and disgraceful. I will be changing textbooks next semester. I recommend you do the same. Find a publisher that respects students and teachers first.

This book, by Cohen, offers a good reference guide for begining students. It is comprehensive and well-laid out as it gives a basic overview of most aspects of the theatrical arts.

I received my product in good time.
I was able to study for my quiz with an older edition and still do well.
I highly recommend this user.

Exactly what I needed when I needed it for school. Came on time and in perfect condition! Everything that I needed!

The product was in almost perfect condition... And he got it to me super quick!!! Even with the holiday weekend!

This book was required for my Humanities course and it's so simple to read. Don't get me wrong though, I still highlight and it makes it even better. But in comparison to other text books, (namely my anthropology book), I can get through this book a lot easier without falling asleep. My only problem is that not enough emphasis is put on definitons in the text (they're italicized but not bolded or repeated on the side). Other than that, 5 stars

This was a great textbook and easy to read and follow. What I liked most about this text is the current playwrights, and screenplays that were discussed in this book. To read about it and then be able to see some of these screenplays was amazing.

The seller described the book as having "water damage." Well that's what most of it was as it came in with water wrinkles over the cover and most of the book. However it was still usable and readable. The only problem I had with this experience was that the estimated time was 22 days, which didn't end up being true but was a worry as I needed the book within a week. I asked the seller if this was true and the seller responded that it might be. I've never had a problem with USPS with funky arrival dates so it was quite frustrating having to wait to see if the book would indeed arrive in 22 days.

Overall the experience was a little stressful but the book arrived in exactly the way the seller described it: wrinkly, wet but still manageable.

very fast delivery, I bought it and then got it within a week. The book was in the condition that it stated in the text. Overall I am very satisfied with the book and purchase.