Modern Singer Book Club: April
It's time for a book club meeting once again! This year, we wanted to challenge everyone to pick up something new, so we've cultivated a list of books in three categories: For Fun— books that have been turned into operas, For Music— books about music and the industry, and For Learning— to learn something outside of the music industry. This month's focus is on growing your performing techniques beyond just singing.
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For Fun
Glory Denied is the harrowing and heroic story of Floyd "Jim" Thompson, who became the longest-held prisoner of war in American history after being captured in 1964. Not only does Philpott capture the gruesome details of Thompson's capture, torture, and escape, but he also illuminates the story of his wife, Alyce, who had to make some of the toughest choices of her life for the well-being of her small family. "One of the most honest books ever written about Vietnam" (Oliver Stone), Glory Denied demands that we rethink the definition of a true American hero. This book will take you through some of the darkest times in a single man's life and is a must-read for any contemporary music singer.
For Music
The Empty Voice: Acting Opera by Leon Major
Composers write amazing stories full of passion and conflict, making acting even more crucial to the experience audiences have in the theatre. Supertitles might make it easier for an audience to follow a story, but they also mean that performers must know everything they are doing on stage down to the last eye flutter. Therefore, more is expected from the singers than just great voices; we also expect them to embody the characters they are singing. The Empty Voice: Acting Opera offers a number of tools to help artists while they are developing their roles. It helps you break things down with both the libretto as well as the musical context to give yourself a well-rounded view of your character's voice during your score study hours! With a few examples from well-known operas, this book will help any actor understand how to prepare any role and take the stage with more confidence!
For Learning
Respect for Acting by Uta Hagan
After originating the role of Martha in the 1962 Broadway production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Uta Hagan was known for her truthful acting and story-telling skills. When she was first invited to join the faculty of the HB Studio in 1947 by Herbert Berghof, Uta Hagen struggled with teaching her newly acquired students. After years of being asked to write a book on her methodology, she created this account of her own struggle with the techniques of acting, based on her teachings. Acting is a skill that can be hard to learn and even harder to teach. This book will show you all the ways Uta Hagan struggled and overcame her issues to become one of the most well-known acting teachers. Filled with acting exercises and building blocks, this book should be a staple on the bookshelf of anyone who takes the stage!
