Will Power: How to Act Shakespeare in 21 Days (Applause Books) [Paperback]

John Basil (Author), Stephanie Gunning (Author)

Book Description

Series: Applause Books | Publication Date: September 1, 2006

Thousands of young people set their sights on becoming professional actors each year, hoping to get a foot in the door with a solid resume built in high school, college, and local theatre company productions. But competition for parts is fierce, and no list of credits is complete without competency in the classical works of Shakespeare. Will Power guides both professional actors and aspirants through a lively 21-day rehearsal process leading up to the day of an actual audition or performance. Actors need never again be confused about where to begin or how to follow through when developing a Shakespearean role. Clear stepping stones have been laid out before them-by Shakespeare himself. Even seasoned actors, familiar with verse, are fascinated when they learn about the acting clues and stage directions embedded in the original First Folio text of Shakespeare's work, in the form of particular punctuation, capitalized letters, and spelling. Putting actors on their feet in dynamic and fun rehearsals, this practical guide helps them develop the 7 Cs of acting: commitment, concentration, conditioning, control, confidence, courage, and clarity while also demystifying how to perform these these magnificently crafted plays.

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Applause Books (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557836663
• ISBN-13: 978-1557836663
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #445,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Needn't Fear..., September 28, 2006

By 

Arena Connery "Arena" (Wisconsin USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Will Power: How to Act Shakespeare in 21 Days (Applause Books) (Paperback)

This is what every high school English student ought to hear: "You needn't fear the language - it's specially designed to involve and support you." And so John Basil begins 'Will Power,' a book which makes the complex mechanics of performing Shakespeare manageable and UNDERSTANDABLE. He's not giving you narrow interpretations but teaching you how to get into the text enough/understand the background so you can form your own conclusions. Obviously, performing Shakespeare isn't easy. But Basil's approach really helps - a different focus each day, checklists, practice hints, etc. You hone your alliteration skills. Discover why certain words are capitalized (it DOES make a difference!) And he gives tips on how to make the performance more authentic (the Globe didn't have electricity! Emphasis based on body language and eye contact becomes even more important.)

Whether you're acting in one of Shakespeare's plays or simply want a different approach to understanding his writings, this book is definitely worth the read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Emerging Shakespearean Actor Needs This Book, October 16, 2006

By 

S. J. Whitcomb - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Will Power: How to Act Shakespeare in 21 Days (Applause Books) (Paperback)

Every good actor knows how helpful a coach can be when tackling Shakespeare. Unfortunately, not every theatre can afford to get you one. With "Will Power," John Basil offers an almost endless variety of choices and discoveries that can be made by breaking preparation down into twenty-one separate exploratory processes. This is a fantastic resource in an arena where even the best performers can always use a new way of looking at and taking on their work.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Classical Actors, November 9, 2008

By 

C. Fowler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Will Power: How to Act Shakespeare in 21 Days (Applause Books) (Paperback)

This book is an excellent investment. For anyone that is interested in performing Shakespeare, it is essential to learn to the First Folio Technique. John Basil is a master teacher and his book compiles his many years of experience into an easy-to-read series of chapters on what he teaches.