The importance of play and fun to people's lives cannot be stressed enough in today's cultural climate of high stress, high stakes, and competition. One activity that gains recognition and credibility as both fun and transformative is theatrical improvisation or improv. In this book, Ruth Yamamoto reviews her research on the influences of improvisation on community college students. Educators, theatre artists, improvisers, or anyone interested building community, developing self-awareness, and affecting positive social change will want to read this book. Dr. Yamamoto examines the principles of improvisation and the concepts of play and flow to add credibility to a craft and practice that is often viewed a frivolous and silly. Ruth Yamamoto extends her research through interviews with applied improvisation professionals, examples and suggestions of games and exercises, and provides solid evidence of the serious, positive benefits of improvisation.

"Be yourself, work hard and never let your dreams die. You never know what tomorrow might bring. So be ready for it." What happens when Lori from Tutu Much discovers musical theatre? She can dance but can she belt out a show tune? Singing lessons, dancing in heels, technical rehearsals and competing for roles with kids who have agents, resumes and stage moms are all new to her. Introducing Dane; a child superstar who is trying to make it in an adult role, and Courtney; a kid with all the talent but few of the resources needed to make it in showbiz. Who will make the cut and who will miss the action?

The lack of new, local scripts appropriate for high school one-acts has long been a lament of our colleagues in education. They asked, and we listened Freshwater is proud to present world premiere one acts, written to follow Minnesota's guidelines for one act competitions, providing exciting new material for high school directors in the region.

THE GOOD AUDITION GUIDES: Helping you select and perform the audition piece that is best suited to your performing skills Each Good Audition Guide contains a range of fresh monologues, all prefaced with a summary of the vital information you need to place the piece in context and to perform it to maximum effect in your own unique way. Each volume also carries a user-friendly introduction on the whole process of auditioning. Classical Monologues for Women contains 50 monologues drawn from classical plays throughout the ages and ranging across all of Western Theatre: * Classical Greek and Roman * Elizabethan and Jacobean * French and Spanish Golden Age * Restoration and Eighteenth Century * Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries Also available: Classical Monologues for Men

Freshwater Theatre presents Better (or) Worse, an anthology of new short plays that attempts to pin down the moving target of modern marriage, with a bit of historic and comedic perspective. They asked us to define marriage: we're giving it a shot.

Being a Working Actor is written by veteran actor, Geoff Meed. There have been many other books written on the business of acting, but none by an actor as accomplished as he. His credits range from being a "name" in the television guest star world, to having performed in major supporting and starring roles in film. This is not a book on the technique of acting, but a career manual, beginning with tough questions and decisions you must make before you pack your first suitcase for Hollywood. Geoff Meed covers his 23 year career explaining little known facts and secrets on what to do, and what not to do, to provide the best chance of earning a career as a full time professional actor in film and TV. This is not a feel good, anybody can do it book, but an honest, truthful insight into what it takes to chase this elusive career, from beginning to end. What you really need to know, by someone who has actually MADE A LIVING at it. Compare Mr. Meed's credits to the other authors in this genre, and you'll get a pretty good sense that his knowledge borders on that of "expert."