1. Storytelling
Conform or Die
The Drama Triangle
Discussion (about family relationships)
Stories (about life experiences)
Music
Crossroads
Objects
Devising
Wallpaper
Themed Sections
Creating the Piece
Presenting the Piece
2. Lonelyhearts
Observation
Observation of the Room
Observation of a Detail
Observation of the World
Observation of the Self
Being Themselves
Observation of Others
Being Someone Else
Discussion (about observations)
Lonelyhearts
Choosing a Character
Character Questions
Choosing a Character’s Music
Writing a Character Monologue
A Character File
A Significant Object
Presenting the Character
A Character Diary
The Quiz Night
The Evening Class
The Self-help Group
The Perfect Partners Questionnaire
The Perfect Partners Interview
Going Out in Character
The Solo Date
Going Out in Pairs
Lonelyhearts Link-up
Tutors’ Preparation
Actors’ Preparation
The Date
Debrief
3. The Text
4. Research
The Writer
Biographies
The Writer’s Other Work
The Writer’s Contemporaries
Visual Imagery
Photographs and Films
Paintings and Illustrations
Newspapers
Fashion and Clothing
Styles
Materials and Undergarments
Jewellery, Accessories and Make-up
Hairstyles and Beards
Architecture and Transport
Buildings
Interior Decor and Furniture
Domestic Appliances
Personal and Public Transport
Blue-screen and CGI
Economics, Politics and Religion
Geography and Climate
Society
Art and Science
5. Creating a Character
Character Questions
The Character Questionnaire
Questionnaire Analysis
Physical Explorations
Observation
Animals
Mannerisms
Expressive Mannerisms
Protective Mannerisms
Symptomatic Mannerisms
Centres
Energy States
Catatonic
Lethargic
Laid-back
Efficient
Neutral
Alert
Passionate
Ecstatic
Hysterical
Rigid
Using Energy States
Frankenstein’s Monster
Written Explorations
The Character Profile
Motivations and Objectives
6. Group Discussions
Economics
Social Politics
Rituals
Morals
Deep Character
7. Exploring the Text
The Rhythmical Shape of the Play
Units and Objectives
Units
Objectives
Obstacles
Actions
Inner Monologue
Emotional Memory
Actioning the Text
Questions in the Text
8. Exits and Entrances
Starting Mid-action
Entering a Scene
Exiting a Scene
9. Rehearsing a Scene
Explorative Exercises
Back to Back
Hands on the Floor
Reading In
Pause for Thought
Vocalising the Subtext
Speaking the Subtext
Physicalising the Subtext
Acting the Subtext
Thinking the Subtext
Gobbledegook
Mime
Whispering
Blindfold
Double-time
Variety of Styles
Points of Concentration
Listening and Responding
Thinking
10. Rehearsal Improvisations
Ground Plan
Foundations
The Truth
The Objectives
Building Materials
The Mind
The Body
An Improviser’s Toolbox
Being There
Atmosphere
Activities
Character
Listening
Responding
Feeding
Re-incorporating
Building Together
Personal Incident
External Incident
Extreme Incident
Blocking
Adjusting the Scenario
Be Anarchic
Welcome Anarchy
11. Meisner Training
The Reality of Doing
Observing the World
Responding
Repetition
Back-to-Back Repetition
Silent Repetition
The Givens
Preps
Knowledge
Misreading and Projection
As Ifs
Objectives
Stakes
12. Meisner in Application
Harvesting Information
Facts
Knowledge
Actions
Gaps and Links
Discussion (about the harvested information)
Decisions and Choices
Creating the Givens
Testing the Givens
A Prep
An Objective
Stakes
An ‘As If’
Discussion
Conditions
The Dialogue
Learning the Lines
Running the Words of a Scene
The Cues
Adding Words to the Repetition Exercise
Meaning
Paraphrasing
Back to Back
Using the Words
Heads Against the Wall
Accents
Physical Posture
Stage Directions
Costume
Technical Rehearsals
Putting on the Show