Uta Hagen Challenge for the Actor

¶ … Actor by Uta Hagen [...] review the book, including the benefit of this book and Hagen's method of acting to actors both new and experienced. The book is a benefit to anyone who reads it. Even someone interested in American theater will come away with a better understanding of exactly what goes into play production and acting after reading this text.

Uta Hagen's text is a classic work for actors, because it is compelling and well written. The book is part history lesson, and part acting lesson, combining to create a full understanding of the history of the theater as well as the craft of acting. The book is interesting from the start, where it chronicles a brief history of acting and the theater, concentrating on the creation and history of American theater. The remainder of the book is a systematic look into the actor's craft, from how to create compelling and believable characters, to using timing and rhythm on the stage.

The book's tone is a bit formal, but the author does interject her own personal experiences into the narrative, which helps make the book more personal and more interesting. In addition, it is quite clear the author understands every aspect of acting, because she covers every aspect of the craft thoroughly by the time the book ends. Probably one of the most valuable tips in the book, (and it is crammed with valuable tips) are the Six Steps of Investigation. These steps help the actor answer questions about their character so they understand the motivation and emotion necessary to create a believable and convincing character from the lines in the script. This book is valuable for both the new and experienced actor, because it gives insight into the theater, and every aspect of acting, from breathing to how to "nail" an audition, something quite important for every actor or aspiring actor. The book is more than a "how-to" book, it is a book of experience that gives great detail and understanding of acting methods, and passes them along in a format that is understandable and readable. It is an excellent text for acting,