Edited by Robert Emmet Long, the 174-page paperback is published by Continuum International Publishing Group/The K.S. Giniger Company Inc. and retails for $14.95.
"The original content is drawn from more than 30 years of the American Theatre Wing's acclaimed 'Working in the Theatre' seminars, and is the first in a series of four books drawn from the rich conversations fostered by ATW," according to the publisher. The book features a foreword by three-time Tony Award nominee Kate Burton; the book series is edited by Long.
Chapters in the book include First Inspirations, Training, Technique and Preparation, Auditioning, Playwright and Director, Staying Fresh, Role Models, Theatre vs. Film and Television, and Audiences.
Among highlights: Nathan Lane (The Odd Couple) describes his first impressions of a costly acting class, Patrick Stewart (The Caretaker) details an embarrassing misunderstanding with an audience member, Matthew Broderick (The Producers) shares auditioning insight from his father, Heather Headley (Aida) explains her philosophy on rejection, and Tyne Daly (Rabbit Hole) opens up on owning a character.
The thoughts and insights of more than 100 artists are included in the book. Now in its fourth decade, the American Theatre Wing's "Working in the Theatre" panels have brought together theatre’s best-known performers, producers, playwrights, directors, choreographers, composers, agents and others for peer-to-peer, in-depth conversations about theatre. Begun simply as public forums, the seminars have been broadcast in New York City since 1979 on CUNY TV, the country's largest university-based television station, as well as on select cable systems around the country. Since 2003, the seminars have been available to theatre students and fans internationally as free, on-demand streaming video from ATW's website, www.americantheatrewing.org.
Find 135 seminars on the online archive of theatrical conversation.
Editor Robert Emmet Long is the author of "Broadway, the Golden Years," profiles of the great American choreographer-directors, as well as the definitive book on the films of Merchant Ivory. Long is currently writing a book about Truman Capote, "American Enfant Terrible," to be published by Continuum Publishing in the spring. He lives in Fulton, NY.
The American Theatre Wing is best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards, which it presents annually with the League of American Theatres and Producers.
The Wing's other activities, dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in theatre, include "Downstage Center," its weekly radio interview program heard on XM Satellite Radio's Channel 28, On Broadway; "Guides to Careers in the Theatre," a video series developed for schools and libraries; a grants and scholarship program to New York City schools and not-for-profit theatre companies, which has awarded more than $2.5 million since its inception; the Theatre Intern Group, a career development program for young professionals; and SpringboardNYC, a two-week college-to-career boot camp for young performers moving to New York City.
Sondra Gilman is Chairman of the Board of the American Theatre Wing; Doug Leeds is Board President and Howard Sherman is Executive Director.
