New anatomical and physiological knowledge is combined with eastern energy techniques and traditional actor training methods as the basis for this pioneering approach to actor training. Practical exercises extend understanding of the somatic systems and how to create flexible bodies for truthful performances.
Amanda Brennan is principal lecturer on MA and postgraduate courses at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London and is also a freelance acting coach, workshop leader and trainer. She has worked with every level, age and ability in settings from psychiatric hospitals, youth centres, prisons, universities, theatre and on film sets. She is also licensed as a Qigong teacher.
Part One: 1. You. 2. Habits. 3. Receptivity. 4. Balance. 5. Energy. 6. Memory. 7. Connecting. 8. Inner Life. Part Two: 9. An Approach to Training and Preparation. 10. Warm Ups. 11. Being Present. 12. Discovering Action. 13. Thought Track. 14. Interrogating Significant Moments. 15. Observation Studies. 16. HOW. 17. Auditions. 18. Full Script Project. 19. Less is More - An Energetic Interpretation. 20. The Memory Bank. 21. Starting State. 22. Re balancing. 23. Making a Choice.
Show moreNew anatomical and physiological knowledge is combined with eastern energy techniques and traditional actor training methods as the basis for this pioneering approach to actor training. Practical exercises extend understanding of the somatic systems and how to create flexible bodies for truthful performances.
Amanda Brennan is principal lecturer on MA and postgraduate courses at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London and is also a freelance acting coach, workshop leader and trainer. She has worked with every level, age and ability in settings from psychiatric hospitals, youth centres, prisons, universities, theatre and on film sets. She is also licensed as a Qigong teacher.
Part One: 1. You. 2. Habits. 3. Receptivity. 4. Balance. 5. Energy. 6. Memory. 7. Connecting. 8. Inner Life. Part Two: 9. An Approach to Training and Preparation. 10. Warm Ups. 11. Being Present. 12. Discovering Action. 13. Thought Track. 14. Interrogating Significant Moments. 15. Observation Studies. 16. HOW. 17. Auditions. 18. Full Script Project. 19. Less is More - An Energetic Interpretation. 20. The Memory Bank. 21. Starting State. 22. Re balancing. 23. Making a Choice.
Show morePart One: 1. You. 2. Habits. 3. Receptivity. 4. Balance. 5. Energy. 6. Memory. 7. Connecting. 8. Inner Life. Part Two: 9. An Approach to Training and Preparation. 10. Warm Ups. 11. Being Present. 12. Discovering Action. 13. Thought Track. 14. Interrogating Significant Moments. 15. Observation Studies. 16. HOW. 17. Auditions. 18. Full Script Project. 19. Less is More - An Energetic Interpretation. 20. The Memory Bank. 21. Starting State. 22. Re balancing. 23. Making a Choice.
Helps actors and other performers to develop connections between anatomy, sensation, emotion and feeling by integrating Qigong and western actor training techniques
Amanda Brennan is principal lecturer on MA and postgraduate courses at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London and is also a freelance acting coach, workshop leader and trainer. She has worked with every level, age and ability in settings from psychiatric hospitals, youth centres, prisons, universities, theatre and on film sets. She is also licensed as a Qigong teacher.
Amanda's approach is brilliant. Combining physical techniques with
intellectual rigour to bring you to a place of grounded and relaxed
creativity. She's been a great help to me.
*Riz Ahmed, actor, Four Lions, Nightcrawler, Star Wars: Rogue
One*
An invaluable book - on both acting and living - to which I shall
return often. A fascinating interdisciplinary braiding of anatomy,
philosophy and mindfulness, with instantly implementable acting
exercises. Energy pounds through this imaginative and profoundly
practical volume, usable for stage and screen.
*Bella Merlin, actor and Professor of Acting and Directing,
University of California, Riverside*
The Energetic Performer is an insightful and brilliantly researched
study of emotional awareness rooted in an in-depth understanding of
the anatomy of the body. Offering both practical and holistic
exploration to support and interpret character through imagination
and perception, it is an inspiration for anyone involved in public
speaking and communication and an absolute must on every actor's
bookshelf. I shall treasure it on mine!
*Sara Kestelman, actor and writer*
Amanda's work and writing is a whole practice for artists seeking a
greater connection through the creative expression of performance.
My work with her has been invaluable and through her thinking and
teaching I feel that my work as an artist can take on an importance
to me and the people I connect with in a performative environment
that transcends the simple act of regurgitating someone else's
writing. She deals with a whole universe of connected energies -
through Qi Gong and her interest in the energy within the performer
she empowers us as actors to do something pure, simple and
revolutionary in its implications. The delicate balance and
exchange of energy she talks about in this book will be eye-opening
to anyone in the creative arts. Dancers, actors on stage and
screen, and musicians can have a fire lit within them by her gentle
wisdom. I am eternally grateful that I met her as a student and
always seek her out to work on characters and to discuss the
physical and inner life of the people I am trying to inhabit. She
elevates the work of the artist to a spiritual level and I realise
through working with her that there was nothing else I want to do
through being an actor.
*Johnny Flynn, actor and musician*
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