ABSTRACT

Acting in Musical Theatre remains the only complete course in approaching a role in a musical. It covers fundamental skills for novice actors, practical insights for professionals, and even tips to help veteran musical performers refine their craft. Educators will find the clear structure ideal for use with multiple courses and programs.

Updates in this expanded and revised third edition include:

  • A comprehensive revision of the book’s companion website into a fully online "Resource Guide" that includes abundant teaching materials and syllabi for a range of short- and long-form courses, PowerPoint slide decks and printable handouts for every chapter.
  • Updated examples, illustrations, and exercises from more recent musical styles and productions such as Hamilton, Waitress, and Dear Evan Hansen.
  • Revision of rehearsal and performance guidelines to help students and teachers at all levels thrive.
  • Updated and expanded reading/listening/viewing lists for specific-subject areas, to guide readers through their own studies and enhance the classroom experience.
  • New notes in the "The Profession" chapters to reflect the latest trends in casting, self-promotion, and audition practice.

Acting in Musical Theatre’s chapters divide into easy-to-reference units, each containing group and solo exercises, making it the definitive textbook for students and practitioners alike.

chapter |4 pages

Introduction

part Section I|40 pages

Fundamentals of acting in musical theatre

chapter Chapter 1|10 pages

Acting basics – the foundation

chapter Chapter 2|22 pages

Acting basics – step by step

chapter Chapter 3|6 pages

Making it matter

part Section II|89 pages

Score and libretto analysis and structure

chapter Chapter 4|19 pages

Musical analysis – listening for clues

chapter Chapter 6|25 pages

Elements of storytelling

chapter Chapter 7|24 pages

Character analysis

part Section III|47 pages

The journey of the song

chapter Chapter 8|21 pages

The journey begins

chapter Chapter 9|13 pages

Working with relationships

chapter Chapter 10|11 pages

Intensifiers

part Section IV|45 pages

Making it a performance

chapter Chapter 11|13 pages

Discovering your phrasing

chapter Chapter 12|24 pages

Staging your song

chapter Chapter 13|6 pages

Rehearsal into performance

part Section V|76 pages

Style in musical theatre

chapter Chapter 14|13 pages

What is style?

chapter Chapter 15|10 pages

Style tags

chapter Chapter 16|51 pages

Style overviews

part Section VI|78 pages

The profession

chapter Chapter 17|48 pages

Do you have the stuff?

chapter Chapter 18|18 pages

Auditioning

chapter Chapter 19|10 pages

A winning attitude