In Speaking Shakespeare , Patsy Rodenburg tackles one of the most difficult acting jobs: speaking Shakespeare's words both as they were meant to be spoken and in an understandable and dramatic way. Rodenburg calls this "a simple manual to start the journey into the heart of Shakespeare," and that is what she gives us. With the same insight she displayed in The Actor Speaks , Rodenburg tackles the playing of all Shakespeare's characters. She uses dramatic resonance, breathing, and placement to show how an actor can bring Hamlet, Rosalind, Puck and other characters to life. This is one book every working actor must have. “As a teacher of Shakespeare, I have searched for years for a text that is readable, practical, illuminating and joyful. Finally, with Speaking Shakespeare , I have found it. In the words of my students, 'I love reading this book. I feel like I'm happening on some untold secret, and every note Rodenburg gives us is a clue on how to be great.'” ― Janet B. Rodgers, Virginia Commonwealth University, in American Theatre “...an excellent resource...there are gems in this book for novices and veterans alike.” ― Jeff Crockett, Dramatics “I am an enormous fan of her work. What is wonderful about her is the directness and clarity of her teaching and her enthusiasm.” ― Judi Dench “Patsy Rodenburg is one of the best teachers I have known; she is a constant source of strength and inspiration.” ― Antony Sher “...rich with information and nicely focused. Recommended...” ― Library Journal “In Rodenburg's capable hands, Shakespeare's complicated words and ideas become completely clear.” ― Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Patsy Rodenburg “Patsy Rodenburg is the most respected voice coach in Britain...a dynamo of thoughts, suggestions and exercises. . . Ms. Rodenburg's work is never theoretical, always practical...” ― Mel Gussow, The New York Times on Patsy Rodenburg “Seven steps to a thespian heaven. . . The Actor Speaks is a stimulating read and an invaluable reference for all actors. It could well become a landmark book.” ― The Stage on Patsy Rodenburg Patsy Rodenburg, OBE, has been the Director of Voice at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London for 26 years and until recently at the Royal National Theatre. She trained in Voice Studies at the Central School of Speech and Drama and is recognized as one of the world's leading voice teachers and coaches, and also as a renowned authority on Shakespeare. Patsy has worked regularly with the best-known actors of the British theatre, including Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, and Daniel Day-Lewis, to name a few, as well as many of the biggest stars of film and television such as Nicole Kidman, Orlando Bloom, Hugh Jackman, and Natalie Portman. She was previously in residence with the Royal Shakespeare Company for 9 years and has worked with The Royal Court Theatre, Donmar and Almeida Theatre in London. She has also worked extensively with many of the great world theaters such as the Moscow Art Theatre and Comédie-Francaise. Patsy's home in America is at the renowned Michael Howard Studios in New York City where she teaches workshops for the professional actor. Under the Michael Howard Studios banner. She travels around the world teaching and speaking, from Los Angeles to Canada to Portugal to Australia, and in November 2012, will bring her expertise to India. Patsy is also a best-selling author whose notable publications include Speaking Shakespeare , The Right to Speak , The Need For Words , The Actor Speaks , The Second Circle , and Power Presentation . Speaking Shakespeare By Patsy Rodenburg St. Martin's Press Copyright © 2002 Patsy Rodenburg All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4039-6540-0 Contents Title Page, Copyright Notice, Dedication, Acknowledgements, Preface, Part 1: Foundation Craft, Foundation Craft, The Body, The State of Readiness, Breath, Support, Freeing the Voice, Placing the Free Voice, Consolidation, Deepening the Work, Range and Resonance, Clear Speech, Listening, Hamlet's Advice, Part 2: Structure, The Givens, The Word, Alliteration, Assonance, Onomatopoeia, Rhythm, Pauses and Irregularities of Rhythm, The Line, The Thought and the Structuring of Thoughts, The Structure of Scenes, Antithesis, Rhyme, Prose, Irony, Puns, Language games, Repetition, The Story, Location, Stage Directions, Props, Entrances and Exits, Soliloquy, Part 3: The Imaginative, The Imaginative Exploration of the Text, Anchoring the Text, Focus and Energy, Summary, Part 4: The Speeches, Richard III, Julius Caesar, Measure for Measure, King Lear, King Lear, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, The Merchant of Venice, Othello, Henry V, The Winter's Tale, Macbeth, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Antony and Cleopatra, Coriolanus, Cymbeline, King John, Part 5: Checklists, Preparing the Body, Breath, Voice and Speech, The Givens, The Imaginative, Abo