From role-plays with street gangs in the USA to Beckett in Brixton; from opera productions with sex offenders to psychodrama with psychopaths; the book will discuss; analyse and reflect on theoretical notions and practical applications of theatre for and with the incarcerated. Theatre in Prison is a collection of thirteen international essays exploring the rich diversity of innovative drama works in prisons. The book includes an introduction that will present a contextualisation of the prison theatre field. Thereafter; leading practitioners and academics will explore key aspects of practice endash; problemitising; theorising and describing specific approaches to working with offenders. The book also includes extracts from prison plays; poetry and prisoners writings that offer illustrations and insights into the experience of prison life.
#2769968 in eBooks 2012-07-03 2012-07-03File Name: B01A27UED8
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Know what you need in the world or the play and go after it!By Gail LelyveldI liked "The Existential Actor" because it gets to the point. There are 4 elements that allow us to get to the meaning of the play or shaping a life: shape; action; transaction and surrender. Each action builds on the last until the character gets or does not the desired outcome. You can use these elements scene by scene until you know where; how; and what goal your character will achieve. The book has a great historical section on theatre through the ages. Aristotle had important things to say about theatre; who knew or remembered. Zinn uses 4 plays to explain his idea. "Death of a Salesman" is one very interesting example. He did not leave out Shakespeare. "Hamlet" is used example of surrender in classical theatre. I hope alot of people read this book. It is a great tool for structuring your work in theatre. But as the subtitle says; it can give one clues on how to be the star of your life. The subtitle is "Life and Death Onstage and Off".3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. This book is a thoughtful and beautiful distillation of a the meditations by a life long ...By IndiaThis book is a thoughtful and beautiful distillation of a the meditations by a life long artist. The existential ideas in this book will occupy your mind for a long time--and I find myself thinking about Zinns synthesis of our understanding of life; death; culture; and art; long after I shut the book. Beyond these larger themes and questions; however; is a true usefulness. This book will help you approach work in the theatre in a smart and focused way. As a young actor; this book is incredibly valuable as it has given me a way to understand and develop my process and training. I recommend this book to anyone who acts; wonders about acting; or feels themselves acting as they go through their day.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The pleasure of the read is his egalitarian approach...By ChuckhovThe author offers us an overview of the art of acting supported by solid; interweaving historical through-lines. The pleasure of the read is his egalitarian approach to references and quotes. The usual suspects are liberally cited (Stanislavski; Anton and Michael; Strasberg; Meisner; Adler) but Zinn also includes choice morsels by Sartre; Louis CK; Gauguin; Tina Fey; Otto Rank; Harold Bloom; Jon Hamm/Don Draper; Susan Sontag; and others. As you turn the pages you have no idea whorsquo;ll pop up; making this a fun read as well.Zinnrsquo;s all-encompassing theory (and a practical guide) for lsquo;creating a characterrsquo; brings together well-known fundamentals infused with a philosophy based on Ernest Beckerrsquo;s The Denial of Death.You donrsquo;t have to feel completely helpless in a random universe to enjoy The Existential Actor; but it helps.
