Books

As with acting sites, there are tons of these.  Wander any theater or performing arts section of a bookstore and prepare to be amazed by the wealth of information out there.  Like most of you, I've got an extensive library.  In it are several books that I wish I'd known more about before spending the money for them.  What I've attempted to do here is give you my top recommendations for the most helpful books I've found, so that you don't make the same mistakes.

First, though, the best places to find books and plays that are theater based.  The links on the books themselves go to Amazon.com where you can buy them for a discount as well.

Stage & Screen - This is THE theater book club.  Membership is easy, just order books and promise to buy more.  At these prices, it's not a burden.  Most of the books listed on this page can be found there for even less than Amazon charges.  There are books on acting, directing, screenwriting, and anything else related to film and TV.

Dramatists Play Service, Inc. and Samuel French - Found a great monologue and want to read the play for more information, but can't find it? Most of them can be found at one of these two sites, since they are the largest publishers of plays in the world.  You can now order them online and they'll be delivered within a couple of weeks.

Books:

Acting is Everything by Judy Kerr - I cannot say enough about this book.  Literally, everything you need to know to survive as an actor in Los Angeles.  If you can think of a question, Judy will have an answer in her comprehensive book, even down to excellent places to get your hair done for an affordable price.  The link is actually to Judy's site, where you can order the book.  She's very sweet.  Email her if you have a question.  She answered mine in about 24 hours and even invited me to audit her workshop in July.

Hollywood, Here I come! by Cynthia Hunter - This is very similar to Acting is Everything, but contains some more down-to-earth information, such as when you need to register your car, good neighborhoods for actors.  There isn't as much information on acting, but there's still a lot on Hollywood, written from a knowledgeable perspective.

An Actor's Guide: Your First Year in Hollywood by Michael Saint Nicholas - Unlike the other two, this doesn't go very much into acting.  Instead it gives a good idea of what to realistically expect from your first year in Hollywood, including good survival jobs and cheap places to eat.

The Camera Smart Actor by Richard Brestoff - This is one of the ultimate breakdowns of what to expect on the set and how to work for the camera.  Since the majority of acting classes are scene work classes, few actors have any training in working for the camera. There is a distinct difference between film and stage, and this book is an invaluable tool for the actor looking to work in front of the camera.

The Monologue Workshop by Jack Poggi - Monolgues are often the only chance an actor has to make an impression in an audition.  It is the prepared piece that often gets you called back for second and third readings and screen tests.  Poggi's book breaks down the process for learning and performing a monologue in an effective way, upping your chances for getting called back.

222 Monologues, 2 Minutes and Under by Joceylen A. Beard - How many times have you spent hours looking for a monologue, only to have to hack it into pieces so it will be under 2 minutes long?  Too many to count?  I thought so.  This book is exactly what it says.  The monologues have been picked for their audition length and appropriateness, and there is a wide enough variety that anyone can find something.

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