When I first began searching for theatre resources I had no idea how many I would find! Now I have become quite the resource nerd. Several of the books I’ve read have taught me more in a few chapters than I had with years of hands-on theatre experience. I am a physical-book-in-hand kind of person, but there are also wonderful social media channels and websites with great theatre resources. Below is a full list of local and online resources I have used, but first I’d like to highlight a few of my faves.
“Respect for Acting” by Uta Hagen has totally changed my perspective on actors and the art of acting. Through her words I have been able to encourage my students to learn how to respect the characters and story they are inhabiting. She uses so many practical exercises to help actors develop and deepen their craft. If you prefer to learn by video, there are many clips from her classes available on YouTube (I’ve linked one below.)
"This is a textbook for aspiring actors, but working thespians can profit much by it. Anyone with just a casual interest in the theater should also enjoy its behind-the-scenes flavor. Respect for Acting is certainly a special book, perhaps for a limited readership, but of its "How-To" kind I'd give it four curtain calls, and two hollers of "Author, Author” - Fritz Weaver, Actor
The book “Sanford Meisner on Acting” takes you right into his classroom. Reading it from the perspective of his students makes it so applicable. It’s a great book even if you only have time to read one chapter at a time.
“This book, written in collaboration with Dennis Longwell, follows an acting class of eight men and eight women for fifteen months, beginning with the most rudimentary exercises and ending with affecting and polished scenes from contemporary American plays. Throughout these pages Meisner is (a) delight--always empathizing with his students and urging them onward, provoking emotion, laughter, and growing technical mastery from his charges.” - Goodreads
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“The Viewpoints Book” by Anne Bogart and Tina Landau was introduced to me by a good friend and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I had never experienced anything like this practical guide, and the exercises within it truly come alive in practice. In addition to reading this book, I also recommend gathering with a few people and doing at least one or two exercises. High Jumps is a favorite among my students!
My current read is “Stage Directing - A Director’s Itinerary” by Michael Wainstein as I prepare to direct a children’s musical this fall. I have been marking pages, re-reading paragraphs, and applying so much of it in this process.
Drama Notebook is a website for drama teachers that has helped me so much. It is full of lesson plans, scripts of all lengths, and videos. There is a small subscription fee to download content, but no royalty fees when performing their scripts. I have been in touch directly with their team and they are all amazing to work with! Highly recommend teachers check out their site.
The search for theatre resources even led me to finding some vintage Theatre Arts magazines which inspired this digital magazine! Being a creative resource to the performing arts community is a high priority for CoCreated and I am so happy to contribute through this magazine and the local drama club classes.
Theatre Resources:
Books:
Respect for Acting by Uta Hagen
Sanford Meisner On Acting by Sanford Meisner & Dennis Longwell
The Viewpoints Book by Anne Bogart & Tina Landau
Stage Directing by Michael Wainstein
Web:
dramanotebook.com
onstageblog.com
theatrefolk.com (I also enjoy reading their e-newsletters!)
playingwithplays.com
Theatre & The Art of Life on Substack
YouTube:
New Collective Acting Studio
The Actors Academy
Acting Career Center
Apex Drama Tools
Instagram:
@themaggiehill - Theatre and Movie reviewer and writer
@pocketfulofdrama - Drama Teacher with helpful tips and resources
@placespleasehub - Bend, OR local hub for audition and show info
@highdesert_b.i.t.s._ - Central Oregon theater scene page & podcast
A bite-sized gem of wisdom from the great Uta Hagen!
Lyrics We Love
from “I'm Not That Girl” - Wicked
Open Scene of the Month
*screenshot this and send to your favorite scene partner*
A: What did he say?
B: He says that you have to make the time.
A: I guess so. I’m sure you’d get more out of once a month.
B: Lots more. It sure shows on him.
A: Look at that, did you ever see anything like it?
B: Never, it’s amazing isn’t it how they can do that?
A: And it looks so easy, so very easy.
B: I’ve always wondered. If I took the time and really committed myself, would I be able to do that?
A: I think you would. I think it’s just what you said, a matter of commitment. They made an early commitment to what they believed in and look now at the result.
B: Yeah.
A: What do you think?
B: I think you may be right.
A: Darn right I’m right.
B: Well let’s move on, ready?
A: Yeah.
B: Next!
At CoCreated we love a good open scene! An open scene gives us the opportunity to fill in the who, what, when, where, and why of the story. It can come to life in so many different ways depending on the actors involved.
We recommend finding a scene partner (or two, with person C having the extra challenge of being in the scene with no lines!) and reading the script aloud together. Then determine the given circumstances and try reading it again. See what happens after a few run-throughs, adding in some blocking and pantomime. Have fun and don't forget the power of a dramatic pause!
CoCreated Is Committed to Strengthening The Local Theatre Community
While I recognize the vast amount of theatre in Central Oregon, I have decided to bring my passion for community to life in the form of drama clubs for all ages. Drama club brings the education side of this art form downstage center. We want to help build a foundation for our students to prepare them for performance opportunities.
If you were to pop into any one of our drama clubs, whether it's for ages 4-6 or 75-100, you will see us using exercises from The Viewpoints, Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, Uta Hagen, and more. Drama club is the place where our imagination can run wild! We practice and play in the world of storytelling without the pressure of memorizing a script or blocking. CoCreated partners with Bend Parks and Rec for our students ages 4-15. We also host The Drama Gym, which is drama club for older teens and adults (16+) and we offer private classes for our homeschool, charter schools, and assisted living partnerships.
Follow us on social media if you would like to be part of what we are doing!
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