If you are applying to Drama school this year then you will be playing many roles. Researching which schools to apply for, finding speeches and learning the ropes. It can get confusing at times and become overwhelming. Auditioning and audition technique is tough when you are just starting out. If you are applying to Drama school then this will be even tougher because nerves can sometimes get the better of you.
These books will serve as a great foundation of knowledge for those people applying to Drama school. Those brave applicants will need help and these books are the best place to start.
The Excellent Audition Guide
Andy Johnson writes a book tailored for students applying to Drama school. If you are thinking about applying to Drama school this year then this book is a must! Even if you don’t read I urge you to have a look at just this for once. This book is especially good for those students who are applying to Drama school. However, if you are an Actor that just needs solid audition advice then this is a great addition to your library.
The book is witty, easy to read and simple. Andy has a no-nonsense style of writing that means he brings you along for an entertaining ride. I have read a lot of technical Acting books that are more suited to sending you to sleep than learning from. If you make things boring then no one wants to read your book. This is the complete opposite, it’s packed full of information yet easy to digest.
In-Depth Acting
For those people who prefer learning in a methodical way, this is the audition bible. It is much broader than Andy’s book and covers everything from building a character to breaking down a script. Dee Cannon wrote this as a one-stop-shop for Acting advice and she certainly achieved that. A lot of people swear by this book and when I was studying at LAMDA this was highly recommended.
Dee Cannon even has a foreword by the wonderful Pierce Brosnan on her teachings. If that isn’t a sign that a book is of a high quality then I don’t know what is!
One thing I would say is that if you are someone who doesn’t read or doesn’t like reading then this might be a struggle. The reason I prefer to recommend Andy’s book is that it is great for everyone – even those non-readers. This is a little denser and harder to read but well worth the patience!
Sanford Meisner on Acting
This is much more a book for those people who want to delve into some advanced Acting techniques. Sanford’s teachings are used in Drama school and they are fantastic for grounding performers. Often Actors can get too in their head and blow the audition because of nerves. I think that if you want to deal with those issues then the only thing you can do is learn to be in the moment and focus on what’s in front of you.
This book is different from the previous two because it is not a textbook or an academic book. It is part biographical and part educational because it takes the reader through the entire series of Sanford’s classes. The author sits in on the lessons and writes down his observations. This is a great way to peer into the thinking and mindset of a great teacher. What I would recommend is that you do the exercises with a friend or a fellow Actor because they are invaluable!
