Respect for Acting - Tapa dura

Legendary actress and teacher Uta Hagen knew that an actor'sfinest work was often achieved for love rather than for money. Shelived this philosophy alongside her husband, Herbert Berghof, at HBStudio, their acting school in New York. It was there that theycreated a workplace and spiritual home for actors such as RobertDeNiro, Jack Lemmon, Anne Bancroft, and Bette Midler.

Respect for Acting is Hagen's blueprint for the actor,her design for "enlightened stage acting." This classic book hashelped generations of actors hone their craft, and its advice is asuseful now as it was when it was first published. Hagen draws onher own struggle with the techniques of acting as well as herdecades of teaching experience to break down the areas in whichactors can work and search for realities in themselves that servethe character and the play. This approach helps actors to bespecific in their actions in order to communicate an artisticstatement. Hagen's instructions and examples also guide theaspiring actor through practical problems such as "How do I talk tothe audience?" and "How do I stay fresh in a long run?"

Part One, "The Actor," deals with the actor's concept ofhim or herself, as well as techniques that set an actor in motionphysically, verbally, and emotionally.

Part Two, "The Object Exercises," offers specific anddetailed work for the actor, covering a broad range of problems andcircumstances, from making an entrance to using the FourthWall.

Part Three, "The Play and the Role," covers how toapproach the play and identify with the character the actor willundertake. It also shares practical thoughts and answers thequestions young actors ask most.

Uta Hagen's influence endures in many of today's most compellingstage and screen performances. Informative and inspiring,Respect for Acting will bring her timeless techniques toactors and audiences for years to come.