The Actors Art and Craft, William Esper
The Actors Art and Craft, William Esper
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The Actor's Art and Craft
William Esper Teaches the Meisner Technique

Author: William Esper, Damon Dimarco

Narrator: Michael Esper, Damon Dimarco

Unabridged: 9 hr 6 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/16/2019

Synopsis

William Esper, one of the leading acting teachers of our time, explains and extends Sanford Meisner's legendary technique, offering a clear, concrete, step-by-step approach to becoming a truly creative actor.Esper worked closely with Meisner for seventeen years and has spent decades developing his famous program for actor's training. The result is a rigorous system of exercises that builds a solid foundation of acting skills from the ground up, and that is flexible enough to be applied to any challenge an actor faces, from soap operas to Shakespeare. Co-writer Damon DiMarco, a former student of Esper's, spent over a year observing his mentor teaching first-year acting students. In this book he recreates that experience for us, allowing us to see how the progression of exercises works in practice. The Actor's Art and Craft vividly demonstrates that good training does not constrain actors' instincts—it frees them to create characters with truthful and compelling inner lives.

About The Author

WILLIAM ESPER is a graduate of Western Reserve University and the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre in New York City. Bill trained as both actor and teacher under Sanford Meisner. Bill and Sandy worked closely together for 17 years, during which time Bill served as Associate Director of the Playhouses's Acting Department (1973-1976). Bill founded the William Esper Studio in 1965 and the Professional Actor Training Program at Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts in 1977. These two schools are renowned for routinely contributing actors of the highest quality to the International stage and screen. DAMON DIMARCO earned his M.A. from the Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts under Bill Esper's tutelage. He has acted professionally on stage, screen, and TV and currently teaches acting and directing at Drew University. Damon's other books include, Tower Stories: an Oral History of 9/11; Out of Bounds (with Roy Simmons); and Heart of War: Soldiers' Voices from the Front Lines of Iraq.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Hani on November 05, 2017

A brilliant transcription and analysis of a Bill Esper ‘Meisner Technique’ Acting workshop. One of the best books I’ve read on the craft of acting.......more

Goodreads review by Elisabeth on July 30, 2015

This book brought me back to my acting classes at Rutgers. Bill was my director twice and he is so insightful. This book is a must-read for any actor interested in Meisner technique. Brilliant!......more

Goodreads review by Diona on June 07, 2016

Not to be bias due to have already completed my training at The William Esper Studio, but I have to say that it was all because of this book. It breaks down in an interesting and pulling way what you'll experience in 1st year- which I also recommend. Even if you're not an actor- understand what Meis......more

Goodreads review by Dusty on March 21, 2016

LOVED! It was a fantastic review of my first year at the Joanne Baron / D.W. Brown studio. The way Bill explains concepts and ideas of how the Meisner Technique works is so easy to follow and understand. I wish I would've picked this book up last year and read along with my class. Can't wait to star......more

Goodreads review by David on March 05, 2012

A truly brilliant and inspiring book. If you study acting or are curious about what a real acting class is about... read this book.......more

Quotes

"Utterly inspirational. . . . The best book on the craft of acting that I have ever read." --Mary Steenburgen

"As far as I'm concerned, there is only way to learn the craft of acting, and that is through the Meisner technique. And there is only one person to learn that technique from, and that is William Esper." --Patricia Heaton

"The essence of this book is like William Esper himself: kind/clear, caring/generous, passionate/graceful, brilliant/profound. Inspiring. Invaluable." --Jeff Goldblum

"A veritable magnum opus on acting from a Master Teacher." --Olympia Dukakis

"Working with Bill Esper was an inspiring and unforgettable experience. . . . Every serious actor who dreams of becoming a first-rate artist must read this book!" --Calista Flockhart

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