Table of Contents

Foreword by David Hyde Pierce.

Acknowledgments.

PART ONE.

The Actor.

Introduction.

1. Concept.

2. Identity.

3. Substitution.

4. Emotional Memory.

5. Sense Memory.

6. The Five Senses.

7. Thinking.

8. Walking and Talking.

9. Improvisation.

10. Reality.

PART TWO.

The Object Exercises.

Introduction.

11. The Basic Object Exercise.

12. Three Entrances.

13. Immediacy.

14. The Fourth Wall.

15. Endowment.

16. Talking to Yourself.

17. Outdoors.

18. Conditioning Forces.

19. History.

20. Character Action.

PART THREE.

The Play and the Role.

Introduction.

21. First Contact with the Play.

22. The Character.

23. Circumstances.

24. Relationship.

25. The Objective.

26. The Obstacle.

27. The Action.

28. The Rehearsal.

29. Practical Problems.

30. Communication.

31. Style.

Epilogue.

Index.

About the Author

Uta Hagen was the recipient of innumerable honors and awards during her long career, including the prestigious National Medal of Arts in 2003. She died in 2004 at the age of 84. HASKEL FRANKEL was the drama critic of the National Observer .