This book is a collection of scenes from many plays -- from classical
ancient Greece to modern absurdist plays. There
are dramatic monologues
for both males and females, and scenes for two to four (2-4) players,
male, female and mixed. There is a brief
introduction to each scene,
the scene itself, and a group of questions designed to help one think
about the scene, and how to play it -- from emotional considerations to
possible stage business or actions during the scene, to facial
expressions to express the feelings of the characters in the scenes.
In the Introduction, and the first section of the book, the author
gives his suggestions for preparing the scenes, and preparation for
acting in scenes or plays generally. There is even a character analysis
blank form that helps with
understanding, and hence playing, a given
character.
These scenes are NOT designed for presentation in public, but for
practice alone or in acting class, perhaps. One of the difficulties in
learning to act is finding suitable scenes for practice, and
particularly with suggestions for interpretation. This book solves that
problem, working well for beginners and fro more advanced students and
actors, as well.