The Actor's Secret

More about the book

Offering revolutionary training for actors, this guide teaches performers to integrate the Alexander Technique, Somatic Experiencing®, and Breathing Coordination to alleviate performance anxiety, enhance stage presence, and promote overall well-being. These kinesthetic disciplines facilitate profound change and healing through body-mind reeducation. Part I outlines the principles of each technique. The Alexander Technique emphasizes altering inefficient movement habits and tension patterns that restrict ease of movement. Breathing Coordination enhances breathing capacity and awareness, while Somatic Experiencing® addresses emotional trauma by tracking bodily sensations to restore vitality. Enhanced with over 100 instructive photos, Parts II and III provide explorations and exercises based on these methods. Topics include the significance of presence and non-doing, vocalization mechanics, character understanding, and the actor's journey from auditions to performance, covering script preparation, rehearsal, monologue, and scene work. Developed by Betsy Polatin, a movement specialist and master lecturer at Boston University's College of Fine Arts, the exercises offer actors simple tools for their craft. Unlike typical self-help approaches that emphasize "doing," this book reveals the power of "non-doing," allowing actors to recognize and suspend habitual patterns, unlocking deeper artistic choices.