F.M. Alexander developed the Alexander Technique of movement in the early 20th century. Combining vocal clarity and body movement, Alexander developed a performance coaching method that is used by dancers, actors, singers, etc. In The Actor and the Alexander Technique , Kelly McEvenue writes the first basic book about how this unique technique can help actors feel more natural on the stage. She provides warm-up exercises, "balance" and "center" exercises, spatial awareness exercises. She talks about imitation, the use of masks, nudity on the stage, dealing with injury and aging. She talks about specific productions that have successfully used the Alexander Technique, such as "The Lion King". With a foreword by Patsy Rodenburg of our own phenomenal The Actor Speaks this is a book that belongs on the shelf of every working and studying actor. “Destined to become a classic for the working actor's bookshelf.” ― Library Journal Kelly McEvenue is a certified teacher of the Alexander technique. She is one of the main acting coaches for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario. 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 . The Actor and the Alexander Technique By Kelly McEvenue Palgrave Macmillan Copyright © 2001 Kelly McEvenue All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-312-29515-8 Contents Title Page, Copyright Notice, The Actor and the Alexander Technique, Dedication, Acknowledgements, Foreword by Patsy Rodenburg, An Introduction to: The Actor and the Alexander Technique, Introduction, F. M. Alexander's Story, Part 1: The Alexander Technique in the Theatre, How the Alexander Technique Became My Vocation, The Alexander Teacher's Role in the Production of a Play, The Principles of the Alexander Technique, 1. Recognition of Habit, 2. Inhibition – Pausing for an Instant to Arrest a Habit, 3. The 'Primary Control', 4. Giving Direction – Learning to Use Your Thinking to Make a Change, 5. 'Feelings' May Give Unreliable Feedback, 6. End-gaining, 7. Non-doing – 'Less is More', The Anatomy Lesson, The Actor Prepares – Warming Up, Preparing the Actor for Rehearsal or Performance, Warm-up Exercises, 1. Stretching on the Mat – Lying on the Back in the Semi-supine Position, 2. Engaging the Adominal Wall and the Back Muscles., 3. A Shoulder Stretch, 4. Getting Up Off the Floor, 5. Finding Balance or 'Centre', 6. Arm Stretching, 7. Undulating Through Centre, 8. Find the Hip Joint, 9. The Rolling-over Exercise, 10. Balancing into Walking, 11. An Open-leg Stretch, Part 2: Putting the Alexander Technique to Work, Partner Work – Moving in Relationship, Partner Work and Spatial Awareness Exercises, 1. Spatial Awareness Exercises, 2. Endowment – Observing the Other, 3. Stage 2 of Spatial Awareness, 4. Contact Partner Work, 5. Centrifugal Force and Opposition Exercises, 6. A Mirroring Exercise, 7. Status Work – Playing the High and the Low Brows, 8. Tableau Exercise – Learning to Survive a 'Freeze', The Table Work and the Alexander Technique, Lesson One, Lesson Two, Part 3: Alexander Technique and Voice Work, 1. Alexander's Discovery, 2. Voice Work and the Alexander Technique, 3. Musical Theatre, 4. Opera Singing and the Alexander Technique, 5. The Whispered 'Ah' Exercise, Part 4: The Alexander Technique and Acting Challenges, Relevance of the Alexander Technique to Acting, 1. The Actor and Fitness, 2. Character Work and the Alexander Technique, 3. Playing Another Gender – from the 'Trouser Role' to the Drag Act, 4. Imitation – Mirroring, 5. Th