"From the celebrated film critic and author of The Biographical Dictionary of Film comes an essential work on some of the cinema's finest actors and how they have approached their craft"--

Breaking Into Acting For Dummies demystifies the behind-the-curtain side of showbiz to help you understand how it really works, who the decision-makers are, what they're looking for when they're picking talent, and how to get them on your side. Written by two friendly insiders, this guide will help you map out your plan of attack, showing you how to open doors--and keep them open--and use your time wisely. You'll understand how to flesh out your professional...

Working well with others is critical to professional success, yet many people struggle with "authority issues" that can block their progress. Professor Gruenfeld combines research on the psychology of power with the acting skills of the theater to illustrate how our nonverbal behavior affects how we are perceived in a hierarchy—far more than the words or arguments we use. In fact, she notes, our words account for only 7% of our argument's impact....

Discover how modern acting technique is built around a commitment to enact a specific purpose onstage. Then explore two psychological approaches to performance: performance from the "inside out" and performance from the "outside in." Begin to look at ways to find purpose in dramatic material, and also as it applies to public speaking and presenting.

"Born Aubrey Drake Graham, the rapper better known as Drake caught his big break on the Canadian teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation. His songs and albums have gone platinum and gold, won Grammys, and resulted in sold-out performances. Simple text, accompanied by powerful direct quotations, interesting sidebars, and detailed photographs, recounts how Drake surmounted his difficult beginnings as the son of a single hard-working mother who...

For over 2000 years, philosophy has been our best guide to the experience of being human, and the true nature of reality.
From Aristotle, Plato, Epicurus, Confucius, Cicero and Heraclitus in ancient times to 17th century rationalists Descartes, Leibniz and Spinoza, from 20th-century greats Jean-Paul Sartre, Jean Baudrillard and Simone de Beauvoir to contemporary thinkers Michael Sandel, Peter Singer and Slavoj Zizek, 50 Philosophy Classics...

"Different faiths, shared hopes. Are we more alike than we know? In 30 first-person stories from eight different faith traditions, hear from people whose faith inspires acts of justice and love amidst our world's violence and divisions. Gain a deeper understanding of the diverse beliefs practiced by your neighbors and our shared hopes for building a better world. Reflection questions with each chapter make this book perfect for small group study or...

What do Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Patti LuPone and Alex Sharp have in common? They are but a few of the extraordinary actors who have studied under Moni Yakim at Juilliard, America's greatest performing arts school. With interviews with Laura Linney, Anthony Mackie and Kevin Kline, this compelling portrait of the master teacher-the sole remaining founder of the school's legendary Drama Division-takes us inside the drama classes where Moni and...

"The Stage Actor's Handbook is an invaluable guide to theatre's traditions, protocols, etiquette, and best practices for current and aspiring performers. Spanning from first rehearsal to final curtain, it details the well-established, often-unwritten rules of theatre and includes insights from a host of well-known stage actors"--