Building a Performance: An Actor’’s Guide to Rehearsal

Building a Performance provides a clear step-by-step system for actors through all stages of the rehearsal process. It enables actors to make more dynamic choices, craft complex characters with rich behavior, and find engaging and powerful levels of performance.

John Basil was a founding member and the producing artistic director of American Globe Theatre for 25 years, the longest running off-off Broadway theatre in midtown Manhattan. He has directed over 50 productions for the theatre and has also directed five seasons of opera at Sarasota Opera. Basil is the author of the popular and practical book WILL POWER: How to Act Shakespeare in 21 Days. Additionally, his Playing Shakespeare series continues to enlighten and inspire actors across the nation. Basil is an associate professor of theatre arts at Marymount Manhattan College. He has also worked in television as a director for NBC’s Another World. Basil was recognized by The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and was awarded the Iben Lectureship for Shakespeare. His website is www.johnbasil.com. Dennis Schebetta is an actor, director, and writer in film and theater. He teaches at Skidmore College and continues to work professionally as an actor and director, most recently with the Saratoga Shakespeare Company and Northeast Theatre Ensemble. His professional acting credits include Ensemble Studio Theater, Vital Theater, Pulse Ensemble Theater, Genesius Guild Theater, Northeast Theatre Ensemble, Pittsburgh Playhouse, The Hiawatha Project and Off the Wall Theater. As a theatre director, he has directed productions off-off Broadway at Ensemble Studio Theatre, 29th Street Rep, and Brass Tacks Theatre. As a film director and award-winning writer, his short film My Date with Adam has been an official selection of several international film festivals. His numerous plays have been produced and performed across the country, as well as internationally. His website is www.dennischebetta.com.