The Actor and the Alexander Technique

Kelly McEvenue

Palgrave Macmillan, Aug 17, 2002 - Drama - 148 pages

F.M. Alexander developed the Alexander Technique of movement in the early 20th century. Combining vocal clarity and body movement, Alexander developed a performance coaching method that is used by dancers, actors, singers, etc. In The Actor and the Alexander Technique, Kelly McEvenue writes the first basic book about how this unique technique can help actors feel more natural on the stage. She provides warm-up exercises, "balance" and "center" exercises, spatial awareness exercises. She talks about imitation, the use of masks, nudity on the stage, dealing with injury and aging. She talks about specific productions that have successfully used the Alexander Technique, such as "The Lion King". With a foreword by Patsy Rodenburg of our own phenomenal The Actor Speaks this is a book that belongs on the shelf of every working and studying actor.

Contents

• The Principles of the Alexander Technique: 11
• The Anatomy Lesson: 29
• The Actor PreparesWarming Up: 37
• A Shoulder Stretch 4 Getting Up Off the Floor: 42
• Finding Balance or Centre: 43
• Arm Stretching: 44
• Undulating Through Centre: 46
• Find the Hip Joint: 47
• The Rollingover Exercise: 48
• Balancing into Walking: 51
• An Openleg Stretch: 52
• Part 2: 55
• Partner Work Moving in Relationship: 57
• Endowment Observing the Other: 60
• Stage 2 of Spatial Awareness: 62
• Contact Partner Work: 64
• Centrifugal Force and Opposition Exercises: 69
• A Mirroring Exercise: 72
• Status Work Playing the High and the Low Brows: 74
• Tableau Exercise Learning to Survive a Freeze: 76
• The Table Work and the Alexander Technique: 79
• Lesson: 80
• Lesson: 82
• Pa rt 3: 85
• Alexanders Discovery: 87
• Voice Work and the Alexander Technique: 88
• Musical Theatre: 91
• Opera Singing and the Alexander Technique: 94
• The Whispered Ah Exercise: 96
• Part 4: 99
• Relevance of the Alexander Technique to Acting: 101

About the author

Kelly McEvenue is a certified teacher of the Alexander technique. She is one of the main acting coaches for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario.

Patsy Rodenburg is Director of Voice at London's Royal National Theater and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Actor and the Alexander Technique
• Author: Kelly McEvenue
• Contributor: Patsy Rodenburg
• Edition: illustrated, reprint, revised
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002
• ISBN: 0312295154, 9780312295158
• Length: 148 pages
• Subjects: Drama / American / General; Drama / General; Performing Arts / Acting & Auditioning; Performing Arts / Reference